What's New―
RISTEX was recognized its efforts and it was awarded the prize by The Japan Society for Science Policy and Research Management 2012

Capturing science in society and science for society as a keyword,
RISTEX owes its award to the efforts of all the people concerned to its R&D as well as implementation support activities. RISTEX will pursue vigorously research and development to contribute to addressing social challenges.

What's New―
The thesis written by Mr. Tateo Arimoto (Director General of RISEX),
has been published on bulletin of University Alumni Association ( Shadan Hojin Gakushikai)

The thesis titled “Putting Science for Society into Practice - Endeavors of the Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society (RISTEX) –”follows the track of its pioneering approaches and efforts of RISTEX towards advanced challenges of science for society as well as its initiative taken in the concerned filed for the past few years.
Putting Science for Society into Practice - Endeavors of the Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society (RISTEX) –

What's New―
Dr. Jan Staman, Director of the Rathenau Institute in cooperation with JST-RISTEX/ NISTEP/GRIPS/ gave a lecture

Dr. Jan Staman, Director of the Rathenau Institute in cooperation with JST-RISTEX/ NISTEP/GRIPS/ gave a lecture on 10 October. The topic was on “How to Promote Trust in Periods of Disruptive Emergencies”.
During the outbreak of disruptive emergencies are considered by citizens as acts of god and there is during that period of time a strong desire for goodwill for governmental action.
In this regard, Dr. Staman talked about how and what the trust problems can be related to then, how Ministers should act and what the most important in the crisis is based on his big insight through his career that he spent eight years on the research staff of Utrecht University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Department of Domestic Animals) before going on to hold various appointments at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in The Hague.
During the lecture, he also touched on the usage of the instruments in the TA (Technology Assessment) at emergency, how TA plays a role in social contexts well as how scientists should be used.

Here are some essential points of the presentation given by Dr Staman.

How to promote trust in periods of disruptive emergencies

1. During the outbreak of disruptive emergencies these are considered by citizens as acts of god and there is during that period of time a strong desire for solidarity and an enormous goodwill for governmental action.
2. In the later stages of catastrophes and crises there is a critical socio-technocratic approach of the crisis. An analytical context in which system failures are addressed. It is the period in which transitions come into the debate and political fights pop up.
3. Trust problems can be related to lack of confidence in the measures which are enforced or they can be related to a much deeper layer: lack of confidence in the institutional arrangements. In the first case communication might help. In the latter, change is necessary and communication will not help at all.
4. During the crisis system failures should be addressed and not afterwards; be ready for that kind of action during the crisis in order to avoid a state of ‘breach of contract’.
5. ‘Optimisation mode narratives’ are suspect during the late stages of a crisis. Make clear as soon as you can that you want transition and that might imply the fear for a breach of contract in the eyes of many stakeholders when their sense of urgency has gone. See financial crisis.
6. Ministers should act as statesman and not as chiefs in command. In the last role they always will lose the battle and they cannot do what they should do; giving meaning to the catastrophe, distributing responsibilities and powers, addressing system failures and enforcing long term measures.
7. In crisis nothing is so important as decent communication based on transparency, facts and figures. Be very critical on spokesmen.
8. In crisis single issue organizations should be involved from the very beginning and they should be asked for help and assistance. Later, they should be involved in negotiation processes for long standing change.
9. Revealed secrets on scandals and incidents in the late stages will kill institutional trust.
10. Scientists should not be used as an instrument for reduction of fear under citizens. There are always other scientists who will contest their views and they are of specific interest for the media.
11. Let clinical psychologist observe and participate in the crisis teams and let them give feedback.
12. Make an explicit difference between public debate and public dialogue. Use the instruments in the TA toolbox.
13. Act right for the public and keep distance.
14. Accept that many scientists and experts will give opinions in the media. Take care of your own facts and figures from the very beginning of the outbreak.
15. Evaluate as soon as possible.
16. In case of continuous citizen protest; be connected, keep distance and act.

Lecture Material

About RISTEX

• Director General's Greeting
• RISTEX Missions and Activities
• Organizational Structure
• Status of R&D Focus Areas (and Programs)
• History of RISTEX
• A range of instruments to create a platform for collaboration and cooperation with external institutions
• Seeking to Aid in Reconstruction from the Earthquake
  ～RISTEX R&D Projects Respond to the Great East Japan Earthquake～
• Contact Us

R&D Focus Areas

• Redesigning Communities for Aged Society
• Community-Based Actions against Global Warming and Environmental Degradation
• Protecting Children from Crime
• Science Technology and Humanity

Programs

• Science of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
• Service Science, Solutions and Foundation Integrated Research Program
• Implementation-Support Program

Major R&D Achievements funded by RISTEX

• Warning System for Trailer Truck Drivers: (FY 2004-2007)
• Electronic Critical Path System: (FY 2002-2005)
• Tailor-made Computer Simulations: (FY 2001-2005)
• Self-evaluation Tool for Organizations: (FY 2001-2004)
• Learning/Therapy Curricula: (FY 2001-2004)
• Support Programs/Network Systems for Children with Learning Disabilities (CLD) using an E-learning System: (FY 2003-2006)
• Multiple Risk Communicator (MRC): (FY 2003-2007)
• Social Experiment to cope with Nagoya City’s Waste Problems: (FY 2002-2005)

Research Project

• Creation of a Collaborative Platform for Science, Diplomacy and Security

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