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their information and for what purposes, particularly due to the ease of copying and
disseminating information. A more integrated approach, not merely focusing on the
collection of data, but also on the use of data (for instance using concepts like
transparency and accountability) may be preferable.
Because of the speed with which many of the technological developments take
place, particularly in the field of data mining and profiling, it may sometimes be
difficult for people without a technological background to understand how these
technologies work and what impact the may have. This topic tries to explain the
latest technological developments with regard to data mining and profiling in a
manner which is accessible to a broad realm of researchers. Therefore, this topic
may be of interest to scientists in non-technical disciplines, such as law, ethics,
sociology, politics and public administration. In addition, this topic may be of
interest to many other professionals who may be confronted with large amounts of
information as part of their work.
1.1.2 Responsible Innovation
In 2009 the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) commenced
a new research program on responsible innovation.
2
This program (that is still
running) focuses on issues concerning technological developments that will have a
dramatic impact (either positive or negative) on people and/or society. The
program contributes to responsible innovation by increasing the scope and depth
of research into societal and ethical aspects of science and technology.
A key element of the program is the interaction between research of
technological sciences (such as computer science, mathematics, physics and
chemistry) and non-technological sciences (such as law, ethics and sociology), to
generate cooperation between these disciplines from the early stages of developing
new technologies. When it comes to legal, ethical and social effects of new
technologies, parties involved are sometimes tempted to shun specific
responsibilities.
3
It is often the case that engineers and technicians assert that they
only build a particular technology that others can use for better or for worse. The
end users, however, often state from their perspective that they only use
technologies for the purposes for which they were intended or designed. A value-
sensitive design approach may contribute to incorporating legal, ethical and social
aspects in the early stages of developing new technologies.
4
Another key element of the program is the use of valorization panels.
Valorization is the concept of disseminating and exploiting the results of scientific
(particularly academic) research results to society (particularly industries and
governments) to ensure the value of this knowledge is used in practice. For this
purpose, research results of the projects are discussed with valorization panels,
consisting of representatives of industries and governments.
As part of the NWO program, a project team which consisted of the editors of this
topic was granted funding for research with regard to responsible innovation of data
2
http://www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/NWOA_73HBPY_Eng
3
Vedder, A.H., and Custers, B.H.M. (2009).
4
Friedman, B., Kahn, P.H., Jr., and Borning, A. (2006).
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