Following on from an unconference session at GOSH 2018 about how open science hardware might contribute to the environmental sustainability of research, Jenny Molloy interviewed Ugo Vallauri (Restart Project) plus GOSHers Anna Lowe (MakerNet Alliance) and Helene Steiner (Open Cell) about how open science hardware might feed into a circular economy for scientific research with the goal of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products in use for as long as possible and regenerating natural systems.
The podcast will be available on the Disruptive Innovation Festival website until 20 Jan 2019 and a bumper version will be made available elsewhere online soon!
What if Scientific Research Adopted Circular Economy Principles?
Scientific research can be expensive, energy intensive and environmentally harmful. Biotechnology in particular, while giving rise to many innovations that support the circular economy, does not adopt its principles. What would a circular infrastructure for research look like? Can embedding principles of local manufacturing, standardised components and designed-to-last, repairable scientific hardware and specialised research tools help us get there?
Listen to this podcast to hear participants at the international Gathering for Open Science Hardware will discuss these ideas and related efforts around the globe.