Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technology (RESET)

Responsibility has become a key concern in current discussions around governance, economic growth, sustainable development, and social progress – captured, for example, by the frameworks of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In an environment of increasing economic and political uncertainty, RESET takes serious challenges such as:

• How can we anticipate and govern the social, ethical, or environmental impacts of scientific and technological change? 
• What is sustainable, reflexive, or democratic innovation? 
•  Which inter- or transdisciplinary forms of knowledge production enable responsibility? 
• How do notions of responsibility differ across regulatory, cultural, and policy contexts? 
• How should expert knowledge and technical possibilities shape democracies, markets and societies?
• Conversely, how can we democratize expertise and technology development?

Which further expertise and skills will I acquire?

The program draws its interdisciplinary strength and symmetry from a diverse student body – with backgrounds in the natural sciences and engineering as well as the social sciences and humanities – and specifically targets students with previous work or research experience. An innovative term structure and hands-on immersive learning based on case studies, projects and an internship foster new forms of collaboration across institutions and disciplines.

RESET conveys the knowledge, methods and analytical tools necessary for understanding and responding to the unique challenges resulting from the increasing interconnectedness of science, technology, society, politics and economics. With its distinctive focus on issues of responsibility and responsiveness, the program combines rigorous training in science and technology studies (STS) with project-based immersion in engineering, science, citizen engagement and policy-making. In particular, graduates are able to identify, analyze and critically discuss social, economic, political, cultural and legal aspects of science and technology. 

Students benefit from small course sizes, individual support from RESET’s teaching staff and a range of services offered by the Elite Network of Bavaria, which the program is affiliated to. They are able to acquire expert knowledge at the cutting edge of international technoscience research as well as extensive communication and project management skills. The language of instruction is English and international student groups and projects help prepare students for a global working environment.

Which professional opportunities can I take up with this qualification?

RESET graduates will be able to work in a range of fields, including government, international organizations, innovative firms (both established companies and start-ups), NGOs, think tanks, research and higher education management, consulting, or pursue a career in academia.