This article aims to reflect on the role of Science, Technology and Society (STS) research(ers) in co-constructing Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in the Global South. By reporting on RRI research in the Global South, here the Indo-Dutch NWO-MVI project on rice straw burning in Punjab, we make an argument for approaching RRI as a symmetric process of knowledge production mobilised by local actors and researchers alike. For STS researchers to responsibly engage with local innovation systems, their activities need to go beyond knowledge provision and towards facilitating the ownership and circulation of local meanings and means to responsibly innovate. Rather than understanding RRI as a fixed framework to govern innovation practices, this article reflects on RRI as an approach that combines research with intervention. We propose that following the principle of symmetry can turn RRI into a productive tool for the mobilisation of embedded local principles that can organise innovation systems in a responsible way. In particular, symmetry allows the re-location of meanings and practices of innovation as well as the re-negotiation of multiple notions of responsible governance.

本文旨在反思科学，技术和社会（STS）研究人员在共同构建全球南方的负责任研究与创新（RRI）中的作用。通过报道全球南方的RRI研究，这里是旁遮普邦稻米燃烧的印度－荷兰NWO-MVI项目，我们提出了将RRI作为当地参与者和研究人员动员的对称知识生产过程的观点。为了使STS研究人员负责任地参与本地创新系统，他们的活动不仅限于提供知识，还应促进对本地含义和负责任创新方式的所有权和传播。本文不是将RRI作为管理创新实践的固定框架，而是将RRI作为一种将研究与干预相结合的方法进行了反思。我们建议，遵循对称原则可以将RRI变成一种有效的工具，以动员嵌入式的本地原则，从而可以负责任的方式组织创新系统。特别地，对称允许重新定位创新的意义和实践，以及重新协商负责任治理的多个概念。