SSH CENTRE has launched a report collection, bringing to light the extent to which Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) aspects are currently integrated into three key research and innovation (R&I) policy initiatives of the EU, namely the Horizon Europe Partnerships, the Horizon Europe Missions, and the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan). Within the SSH CENTRE reports, recommendations are provided on how to better integrate Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) insights into these EU R&I policy initiatives.
To support the launch of the reports, a series of blog posts are being written to introduce the content of each report. This is the second blog post of the series, focusing on the SET Plan, written by Aoife McNulty, Communications Officer at EERA.
Strengthening the integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) in the SET Plan
The report is dedicated to analysing the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan), which is one of the EU’s main instruments supporting the low-carbon energy transition and the coordination of EU research and innovation. Established in 2007 to increase synergies between EU Member States, it was revised in 2023 with the aim to continue identifying the strategic priorities and actions needed to accelerate the cost-effective transformation of the EU energy system.
In-depth analysis and key recommendations
The report is underpinned by analysis undertaken by SSH CENTRE partners. The latest version of 12 SET Plan Implementation Plans were thematically reviewed. These SET Plan Implementation Plans act as the sectoral reference document for each SET Plan Implementation Working Group (IWG). Notably, it is the IWGs that cooperate with the European Commission on SET Plan targets and R&I activities carried out at national and European levels. In this light, the focus of the report centres on the extent to which a series of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) domains and topics* have been accounted for, thus far, in the Implementation Plans, and therefore what opportunities exist to further advance the integration of SSH .
Read the full report here
The analysis undertaken by SSH CENTRE partners informed the development of recommendations on how to better incorporate Social Sciences and Humanities into the SET Plan Implementation Plans. Five central recommendations are presented within the report:
- Embed societal aspects in technological development and implementation
The first recommendation relates to the need to embed societal aspects in technological development and implementation. As outlined by the authors, such a development requires a shift in perspective, from one that is purely technological to one that is interdisciplinary and socio-technical. Furthermore, a cross-sectoral approach to drafting the Implementation Plans is called for, as well as updated plans that reflect the current scope of societal needs across Europe and take into account a balanced approach to the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of competitiveness.
- Integrate SSH targets and indicators within the Implementation Plans, and monitor their performance and implementation
The second recommendation calls for the integration of SSH targets and indicators within the Implementation Plans, and the monitoring of their performance and implementation. This captures the need to include R&I targets and actions reflecting SSH perspectives for the respective technology of each Implementation Plan. Building on this, it is also essential that Implementation Plans contain means of evaluation that are suitable for measuring SSH targets and actions, there is the need to include SSH experts at the start when formulating these targets and have these experts advise on means of measurement.
- Consider people as citizens, not only as users or consumers
The third recommendation underscores the importance of considering people as citizens, not only as users or consumers. To achieve this, investment priorities should recognise the huge potential of involving citizens and communities as decision-makers, partners in projects, and even potential project initiators. Moreover, the upcoming SET Plan Cross-Cutting Task Force on societal needs should ensure it takes a citizen-centric, rather than a user-centric approach, while each Implementation Working Group should establish specific subgroups that reflect on the likely effects of investment priorities for citizens.
- Establish clear links with the existing policy framework, and describe how R&I implementation pathways target these policies
The fourth recommendation states the need to establish clear links with the existing policy framework, and describe how R&I implementation pathways target these policies. In this light, the report advocates for Implementation Working Groups to include explicit links to existing policy frameworks and explain how their activities support these policies, as a way to sustain dialogue with policymakers. Additionally, Implementation Working Groups must incorporate considerations of how policymakers at different levels of governance can take action to support the rollout of specific technologies, as well as collaborate with SSH researchers.
- Adopt a multi-scalar approach for implementing the SET Plan, with greater consideration given to sub-national levels
The final recommendation in the report points to the need to adopt a multi-scalar approach for implementing the SET Plan, with greater consideration given to other governance levels, including the regional and local. Taking this into account, the Implementation Plans should better embed flexibility so that activities can be designed to reflect the context in which technologies are to be situated, and should better acknowledge the interconnections between actors and across scales to build upon synergies that exist. Undoubtedly, there is also the need for Implementation Working Groups to meaningfully engage with local needs and perspectives to account for the complexity of the locations in which technologies are to be implemented.
Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we will discuss the third, and final, report in this series.
*The following Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) domains and topics have been considered:
- Societal Actor Engagement
- Public Perception
- Justice and Equity
- Employment Dynamics
- Economic Factors
- Behavioural Aspects
- Ethical Considerations
- Local vs. Global Dynamics
- Infrastructure and Spatial Planning
- Social Innovation and Community Initiatives
- Gender Perspectives
- User Relevance
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101069529 and from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee [grant No 10038991].