Responsive and Responsible Science, Technology, and Innovation for Global Health

In contrast to the millennium development goals (MDGs), the sustainable development goals (SDGs) entail a universal and equitable approach to global health by defining health problems as multidimensional issues. SDG3, which aims to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,” targets a broad range of communicable diseases, mother and child health, noncommunicable diseases, mental health, substance abuse, traffic accidents, and health threats from hazardous environmental pollution, and to that end suggests supporting research and development of appropriate technology. This chapter will review how science, technology and innovation (STI) are conceptualized in the SDGs and how they are assumed to tackle health inequalities. Inspired by insights from science and technology studies, and using examples from the authors’ ethnographic studies on development and implementation of point-of-care diagnostics and development of cookstoves, it will discuss what the challenges are with the way in which STI is conceptualized in SDG policies. Based on these analyses, the authors propose a responsive and responsible approach to STI that is based on a thick description of the different stakeholder settings involved and of their perceptions and needs; takes the coproduction of knowledge, innovation, and society into consideration; and continuously reflects on the (un-)intended consequences.