2025-06
Welcome to the final newsletter from CSIRO's Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform (RI FSP).
Over the past six years, I've had the privilege of leading a program of research that asked the fundamental question: how can we ensure that our scientific innovation and technological development delivers broad societal benefit? We pursued the answer to this question across a diverse portfolio of future science from quantum technologies and AI to food and energy security, and into the future of our health system; all the while collaborating widely within and beyond CSIRO.
It is no secret that curiosity is a driving force behind scientific discovery, and in our case that curiosity has fuelled the way we think about and practice responsible innovation. We were challenged by our researchers, our partners and the broader Australian community to engage with new ideas and push the boundaries of what responsible innovation could mean and deliver.
What I didn’t anticipate at the outset was that responsible innovation would require us to think about both 'who we are' and 'how we are' as the national science agency. This work challenged us to think about what the Australian community needed from us now and into the future. But this was not only about identity. It was also about how we embed our commitment to responsible innovation deeply within our science [PDF · 3.8 MB], and build a robust evidence base to guide that integration.
One of the enduring themes of this research has been the importance of trust in science and technology. That trust must be earned, maintained, and continually renewed through transparent, inclusive, and evidence-informed practice. As Australia prepares for future challenges, from pandemics to the impacts of emerging technologies, this kind of grounded, values-driven science is essential.
I want to close with one of my favourite quotes from a senior CSIRO leader: "Responsible innovation reminds us that people are at the heart of any innovation - that is, the people who are driving the innovation, and those who stand to benefit from it."
This final newsletter celebrates just some of the people who were driving responsible innovation at CSIRO but also the ongoing conversation and work that is unfolding on the importance of trust in our science and technology across Australia.
As always, thank you for your support in advancing responsible innovation at CSIRO. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with you to ensure science and technology delivers meaningful and lasting benefits for all Australians.
Dr Justine Lacey, Director, Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform