Responsible Innovation, a Narrative Approach

The aim of this thesis aim is to open a field of study within Responsible Innovation that sees aesthetics as playing a central analytical role within daily decision-making practices in small scale production processes, be those artisan working or scientific working situations. Using and expanding upon the concept of Skilled Visions, the concept of poiesis-intensive innovation used at the Bassetti Foundation is developed to form a concept of poiesis intensive responsible innovation (PIRI). Using case studies, the thesis demonstrates how the appreciation of beauty through the acquisition of a skilled vision allows the sharing of a moral framework. The argument is developed through an analysis of two poiesis intensive practices, the first situated within a furniture restoration workshop in Manchester (UK) and the second in a biotechnology laboratory in Utrecht (NL).