European value changes. Signals, drivers, and impact on EU research and innovation policies. Final report

This report studies the impact of changing value systems on the EU research and innovation policy. Starting from the European Charter of Fundamental Rights, it investigates the societal values which directly or indirectly concern EU research and innovation policy. The study presents the most significant trends in values changes related to research and innovation, in particular the public feelings and expectations towards science, towards the protection of individual rights, such as privacy and personal data protection, and human dignity and safety. It develops a set of clusters of weak signals triggering value changes and produces an analysis of the emerging value controversies which are relevant for future research and innovation policies. The recommendations highlight those improvements required for a clearer and more integrated application of value principles in research and innovation policy-making and for creating a better evidence-base in this policy area.