How can the UK design a flexible anticipatory approach to regulation while ensuring protection to consumers and environment? What are the ethical aspects of regulating future technology and how can these be incorporated into an anticipatory regulatory framework? Are there successful case studies we can draw lessons from?

Background

"Technology Strategy

As the team has a broad remit, there are a range of different areas of evidence needs. These are likely to be areas of ongoing enquiry, as we seek to keep abreast of market and technological developments. We are also interested in the interaction of these issues e.g. with systems approaches.


Evidence challenges
One of the main challenges we have is that SIC codes do not readily permit us to do analysis of technology sectors, so we need to use specialist datasets, bespoke studies or natural language processing to enable us to collect data on the issues.

We work with technology experts to define classifying methods.

How evidence is used
We already have databases on business activity and equity funding in the team, with access to other datasets across the Department on research activity, exports, skills, patents, IP, etc. We are nevertheless always interested in hearing about new data developments in this space.

We also have evidence from commissioned studies, and call for evidence responses.
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Next steps

If you are keen to register your interest in working and connecting with DSIT Science, Innovation, and Research Directorate, and/or submitting evidence, then please complete the DSIT-ARI Evidence survey - https://dsit.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDfmK2OukVAnirs

Link to ARIs : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology-areas-of-research-interest/dsit-areas-of-research-interest-2024

Related UKRI funded projects

  • Regulation in Crisis

    Regulation has continued to be at the forefront of policy discussions over the past decade. The final decade of the 20th century was largely about exploring regulation as a policy mode that was receiving increased govern...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: London School of Economics and Political Science

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially addresses the challenges of regulation and technology, but does not specifically focus on the UK or ethical aspects.

  • Defra / EA Fellowship: Professor Frances Bowen

    This project will fund a fellowship placement for a mid-career researcher to work for 9 months with the better regulation teams at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Environment Agency...

    Funded by: ESRC

    Lead research organisation: Queen Mary University of London

    Why might this be relevant?

    Partially addresses the challenges of regulation and technology, specifically focusing on environmental regulations in the UK.

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Enable industry to innovate safely toprevent major incidents, supporting themove to net zero What evidence is needed about the use of new technologies - e.g. new and emerging energy technologies, use of novel materials, new manufacturing processes, etc. - to develop an appropriate, effective strategy for their better regulation, enabling their rapid and safe introduction? Health and Safety Executive, 2023
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