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Harro van Lente (H.)

Research profile

In my view, STS is both a perspective, a methodological approach and a growing body of insights. Due to its versatility and ability to raise surprising questions, STS provides fertile ground to address societal concerns and to connect to other fields of research. I find it important to connect to other disciplines as well, such as innovation studies, philosophy of technology or organization studies. I am interested in how futures are part of science and technology. In particular I focus on four themes: (i) dynamics of expectations, (ii) assessing emerging technologies, (iii) research systems and governance (iv) articulations of sustainability.

My research into the dynamics of expectations in science and technology has evolved into a new theory and approach of socio-technical change, the ‘Sociology of Expectations’ which is both relevant to STS and innovation studies. The central concern is the performativity of expectations and promises, In this theme I connect to foresight and scenario planning, as sites of expectation productions.

Secondly, I am intrigued by the phenomenon of emerging technologies and the possibilities to anticipate and assess. This relates to questions how science and technology are coordinated when tangible manifestations are (still) lacking and to questions of societal contestation and Constructive Technology Assessment. I have published on new medical technologies, new energy technologies and nanotechnologies. Future opportunities definitively relate to the growing interest in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).

Thirdly, I am interested in research and innovation systems, and concomitant issues of governance. This involves questions of knowledge production and expertise (boundary work), deliberation, displaced politics and democracy. In particular, my interest is in the role of intermediary organisations. While they are seen as ‘brokers’ and ‘bridges’, they are not passive channels but active contributors. The phenomenon of positioning is interesting here: how do actors find their roles within emerging coordination patterns?

A fourth theme, on articulations of sustainability, investigates how sustainability (as ‘ideograph’  or ‘grand challenge’) is translated into specific meanings and research agendas. Instead of adding another version to the growing stock of definitions, it is more powerful to study how ‘sustainability' gets defined and filled in. Articulation is not just a matter of words, but embedded in social networks and task divisions. In particular I focus on how new needs develop. 

Recent publications
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Other publications

(since 2010)

2016

  • Boenink, M., Van Lente, H., Moors, E. (Eds.) (2016), Emerging Technologies for Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease. Innovating with Care, Palgrave Macmillan UK ISBN 978-1-137-54097-3 (series Health, Technology and Society).
  • Bowman, D. M., A. Dijkstra, C. Fautz, J.S. Guivant, K. Konrad, H. van Lente and S. Woll (Eds.) (2016) Responsibility and Emerging Technologies: Experiences, Education and Beyond, Berlin: AKA Verlag, ISBN 978-3-89838-719-4
  • Van der Schoor, T. H. van Lente, B. Scholtens,  A. Peine (2016), Challenging obduracy: How local communities transform the energy system, Energy Research & Social Science, 94-105.
  • Boenink, M., Van Lente, H., Moors, Innovating with care: biomarkers and diagnosis of dementia, in E.  Boenink, M, E. Moors and H. van Lente (Eds.) (2017), Innovating with care: biomarkers and diagnosis of dementia, London: Palgrave Macmillan, 1-18.
  • Boenink, M., Van Lente, H., Moors, Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease: How to Innovate with Care, in E.  Boenink, M, E. Moors and H. van Lente (Eds.) (2017), Innovating with care: biomarkers and diagnosis of dementia, London: Palgrave Macmillan, 263-276
  • Bowman, D. M., A. Dijkstra, C. Fautz, J.S. Guivant, K. Konrad, H. van Lente and S. Woll Aspirations of Responsibility for Emerging Technologies, in Bowman e.a. (2016), Responsibility and Emerging Technologies: Experiences, Education and Beyond, Berlin: AKA Verlag, 1-11.

 2015

  • Cuijpers, Y and H. van Lente (2015), Early diagnostics and Alzheimer's disease: beyond 'cure' and 'care', Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Vol.93, 54–67
  • Bakker, S, P. Leguijt and H. van Lente (2015), Niche accumulation and standardization: the case of electric vehicle recharging plugs, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 94, 155–164.
  • Hessels,L.K, H. van Lente, J. Grin and R.E.H.M. Smits (2015), Changing Struggles for Relevance in Eight Fields of Natural Science, in J. Mitra and J. Edmondson, Entrepreneurship and Knowledge Exchange, New York and London: Routledge, 263-283.
  • Van Lente, H. (2015), The Societal Incubator as a Solution to Waiting Games in Emerging Technologies, in Bowman, D.M. et al.  Practices of Innovation and Responsibility: Insights from Methods, Governance and Action, Berlin: AKA Verlag, 43-51.
  • Bowman, D. M., A. Dijkstra, C. Fautz, J. Guivant, K. Konrad, H. van Lente and S. Woll (2015), Moving Beyond Concern: Practices of Innovation and Responsibility for Emerging Technologies, in Bowman, D.M. et al.  Practices of Innovation and Responsibility: Insights from Methods, Governance and Action, Berlin: AKA Verlag.
  • Cuijpers, Y and H. van Lente (2015), The meanings of early diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease in Dutch newspapers. A framing analysis, in A. Swinnen and M. Schweda, Popularizing Dementia. Public expressions and representations of forgetfulness, Bielefeld: Transcript Verlag, 295-314.
  • Bowman, D. M., A. Dijkstra, C. Fautz, J. Guivant, K. Konrad, H. van Lente and S. Woll (2015) (eds.), Practices of Innovation and Responsibility: Insights from Methods, Governance and Action, Berlin: AKA Verlag.
  • Van Lente, H., T. Swierstra and P.B. Joly (2015), Responsible Innovation as a Critique of Technology Assessment, in T. Michalek, C. Scherz, L. Hennen, L. Hebáková, J. Hahn and S. Seitz (eds.), The next horizon of Technology Assessment, Prague: Informatorium, 87-92.
  • Van Lente, H. (2015), De ruimtetoerist – vragen over technologie en toekomst, Maastricht: Canon Business Printers, Oratie, ISBN 9789056814533 (18 September)

  2014

  • Van Lente, H. and C. Bos (2014), Unpacking the Grand Challenges of Nanotechnology, in C. Coenen et al. (Eds.), Innovation and Responsibility: Engaging with New and Emerging Technologies, Berlin: AKA Verlag, 165-176.
  • C. Coenen, A. Dijkstra, C. Fautz, J.Guivant, K.Konrad, C.Milburn and H. van Lente (Eds.) (2014), Innovation and Responsibility: Engaging with New and Emerging Technologies, Berlin: AKA Verlag, ISBN 978-3-89838-697-5
  • Engel, N. and H. van Lente (2014), Organizational Innovation and Control Practices: The Case of Public-Private Mix in Tuberculosis Control in India, Sociology of Health and Illness, Volume 36(6), 917–931.
  • Bos, C., B. Walhout, A. Peine and H. van Lente (2014), Steering with big words: articulation of ideographs in nanotechnology, Journal of Responsible Innovation, Vol. 1(2), 151-170.
  • Cuijpers, Y., H. van Lente, Boenink, M., E. Moors (2014), Quandaries of responsible innovation: the case of Alzheimer’s Disease, in Van den Hoven, J., Doorn, N., Swierstra, T., Koops, B.-J., Romijn, H. (Eds.), Responsible Innovation: Innovative Solutions for Global Issues, Dordrecht: Springer, 239-254.
  • Bos, C and H. van Lente (2014), Value Chain Responsibility in Emerging Technologies, in Arnaldi, S., Ferrari, A., Magaudda, P., Marin, F. (Eds.), Responsibility in Nanotechnology Development, Dordrecht: Springer, 129-141.
  • Coenen, C, A. Dijkstra, C. Fautz, J.Guivant, K.Konrad, C.Milburn, H. van Lente, and S. Woll (2014), Responsibility, Innovation, and Emerging Fields of Technoscience, in C. Coenen et al. (Eds.), Innovation and Responsibility: Engaging with New and Emerging Technologies, Berlin: AKA Verlag, 1-6

 2013

  • Van Lente, H., A. Peine and C. Spitters (2013), Comparing technological hype cycles: Towards a theory, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, Vol 80(8), 1615–1628.
  • Rip, A. and H. van Lente (2013), Bridging the gap between innovation and ELSA: the TA program in the Dutch nano-R&D program NanoNed, Nanoethics, Vol 7 (1), 7-16.  
  • Van Lente, H. (2013), Humanisme en de ongemakkelijke vragen van duurzaamheid, Journal of Humanistic Studies, Vol 14(2), 71-79. (In Dutch: Waardenwerk)
  • Konrad, K., C. Coenen, C. , A. Dijkstra, C. Milburn and H. van Lente (Eds) (2013), Shaping Emerging Technologies: Governance, Innovation, Discourse. Heidelberg: AKA Verlag. ISBN 978-3-89838-685-2
  • Hegger, D., Y. de Boer, A. Offermans, F. Merkx, C. Dieperink, R. Kemp, H. van Lente & R. Cörvers (2013). Kenniscocreatie: naar productieve samenwerking tussen wetenschappers en beleidsmakers. Maastricht: Datawyse Universitaire Pers Maastricht
  • Kemp, R., and H. van Lente (2013), ‘The Dual Challenge of Sustainability Transitions: Different Trajectories and Criteria’ in M. J. Cohen, H. S. Brown , Ph. J. Vergragt (Eds.), Innovations In Sustainable Consumption: New Economics, Socio-technical Transitions and Social Practices, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 115-132.  
  • Bos, C, A. Peine and H. van Lente (2013), Articulation of Sustainability in Nanotechnology: Funnels of Articulation, in Konrad, K., C. Coenen, C. , A. Dijkstra, C. Milburn and H. van Lente (Eds), Shaping Emerging Technologies: Governance, Innovation, Discourse. Heidelber: AKA Verlag. 231-242
  • Konrad, K., C. Coenen, C. , A. Dijkstra, C. Milburn and H. van Lente (2013), Shaping Emerging Technologies, in Konrad, K. ea (Eds), Shaping Emerging Technologies: Governance, Innovation, Discourse. Heidelber: AKA Verlag. Technologies, 1-6

 2012

  • Van Lente, H. (2012), Navigating Foresight in a Sea of Expectations: Lessons from the Sociology of Expectations, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, Vol. 24, No. 8, 789–802
  • Zwartkruis, J, E. Moors, J. Farla and H. van Lente (2012), Agri-food in search of sustainability: cognitive, interactional and material reframing, Journal on Chain and Network Science, 99-110.
  • Bakker, S, H. van Lente and M. Meeus (2012), Dominance in the Prototyping Phase: the Case of Hydrogen Passenger Cars, Research Policy, Vol 41, 871-883.
  • Bakker, S, H. van Lente, R. Engels (2012), Competition in a technological niche: the cars of the future, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, Vol 24(5), 421-434.
  • Bakker, S, H. van Lente and M. Meeus (2012), Credible Expectations: The US Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Program as enactor and selector of hydrogen technologies, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Volume 79, Issue 6, 1059-1071.
  • Van Lente, H., C. Coenen, T. Fleischer, K. Konrad, L. Krabbenborg, C. Milburn, F. Thoreau and T. Z. Zülsdorf (Eds) (2012) Little by Little: Expansions of Nanoscience and Emerging Technologies, Heidelberg: AKA Verlag. ISBN 978-3-89838-674-6
  • Van Lente, H., C. Coenen, T. Fleischer, K. Konrad, L. Krabbenborg, C. Milburn, F. Thoreau and T. Z. Zülsdorf. (2012), Expansions of nanotechnology, in H. van Lente ea (Eds), Little by Little – Expansions of Nanoscience and Emerging Technologies, Heidelberg: AKA Verlag, 1-7.

 2011

  • Van Lente, H., R. Smits, M.P. Hekkert, and B. Van Waveren (2011), ‘Systemic Intermediaries and Transition Processes’ in S. Guy, S. Marvin, W. Medd and T. Moss (Ed.), Shaping Urban Infrastructures. Intermediaries and the Governance of Socio-Technical Networks, London: EarthScan, 36-52.
  • Bakker, S, H. van Lente and M. Meeus (2011), ‘Arenas of expectations for hydrogen technologies’, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Vol 78(1), 152-162.  
  • Kemp, R. and H. van Lente (2011), ‘The Dual Challenge of Sustainability Transitions’, Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, Vol 1 (1), 121-124.
  • Hessels and H. van Lente (2011), Practical Applications as a Source of Credibility: A Comparison of Three Fields of Dutch Academic Chemistry, Minerva, Vol. 49 (2), 215-240.
  • Van Rijnsoever, F., H. van Lente en H. van Trijp (2011), Systemic policies towards a healthier and more responsible food system, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Vol. 65(9), 737-739.  
  • Boenink, M, Y Cuijpers, A. L. van der Laan, H. van Lente, E. Moors (2011), Assessing the socio-cultural impacts of emerging molecular technologies for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Article ID 184298, 9 pages, doi:10.4061/2011/184298  
  • Hessels, L. H. Van Lente, R. Smits en J. Grin (2011), Changing struggles for relevance in eight fields of natural science, Industry & Higher Education, Vol 25(5), 347–357.
  • Mulder, K., D. Ferrer and H. van Lente (eds.) (2011), What is Sustainable Technology? Perceptions, Paradoxes and Possibilities, Sheffield: Greanleaf Publishing. 256 pp ISBN 978-1-906093-50-1.
  • Van Lente, H. en A. Rip (2011), De maatschappelijke inbedding van nanotechnologie, in D. Reinhoudt e.a., Nanotechnologie, geen kleinigheid, Den Haag: SMO publicaties, 97-109. ISBN 978-90-6962-231-6
  • Mulder, K., D. Ferrer and H. van Lente (2011), What is Sustainable Technology?, in Mulder e.a. What is Sustainable Technology? Perceptions, Paradoxes and Possibilities, Sheffield: Greanleaf Publishing, 1-7.
  • Van Lente, H. and J.I. Van Til (2011) , Vehicles of sustainability in the field of nanocoatings, in Mulder e.a. What is Sustainable Technology? Perceptions, Paradoxes and Possibilities, Sheffield: Greanleaf Publishing, 39-56.
  • Mulder, K., D. Ferrer and H. van Lente (2011), Conclusions, in Mulder e.a. What is Sustainable Technology? Perceptions, Paradoxes and Possibilities, Sheffield: Greanleaf Publishing, 236-242.

2010

  • Van Lente, H. and S. Bakker (2010) ‘Competing expectations: the case of hydrogen storage technologies’, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management. Vol 22 (6), 693-709
  • Hessels, L.K. & Van Lente, H. (2010), The mixed blessing of Mode 2, Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, Vol 6(1), 65-69.
  • Hessels, L.K. & Van Lente, H. (2010). Reward research that benefits society, with kudos or even cash. Nature (465), 685.  
  • Van Lente, H. (2010) ‘Supporting and evaluating emerging technologies: a review of approaches’, Int. J. Technology, Policy and Management, Vol. 10, No. 1/2, pp.104-115.
  • Van Lente, H. (2010) De maakbare behoefte: naar een filosofie van duurzame ontwikkeling, Oratie Universiteit Maastricht, 12 Nov, 36 pp. ISBN 978-94-6159-020-6
  • Hessels, L.K., S. de Jong and H. van Lente (2010), Multidisciplinary collaborations in toxicology and paleo-ecology: equal means to different ends, in Parker, J.N., Vermeulen, N & Penders, B. (eds.). Collaboration in the New Life Sciences, Aldershot (UK): Ashgate, 37-63.
  • Van Lente, H. (2010), ‘Technologie in een zee van verwachtingen’, in M.B.A. van Asselt (ed.) Uit zicht: toekomstverkennen met beleid, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 185-200.