Demanding Accountability for Research and Innovation Promises
Indonesia’s academic world stands at a pivotal crossroads determining the course of civilisation. On one hand, the scientific community is pushed to catch up in the global publication landscape, yet on the other, fundamental questions about the meaning and purpose of research are often overlooked. For decades, Indonesian higher education institutions have transformed into prolific writing machines, yet their work lacks substantial real-world impact.
In this intellectual unease, the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), popularised by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, finds genuine relevance and momentum in Indonesia. However, adopting RRI must not be merely a policy ornament or rhetorical embellishment in grant proposals, but a radical reorientation of the nation’s intellectual morality.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemendiktisaintek) should reference the EU’s normative framework where RRI mandates deep anticipation of environmental and social impacts from all scientific activities. In Indonesia, such a transformation must go beyond administrative technicalities and genuinely align global value pillars with the rich and diverse sociocultural fabric of local communities.
Substantive criticism must be directed at the government regarding the extent to which an output-centric paradigm has systematically constrained Indonesian researchers’ creativity. Research success is often only recognised when articles are published in reputable international journals or when official patents are granted. This pathological administrative altruism is dangerous and risks reducing the very essence of academic pursuit.
Referring to the thoughts of Prof. Arif Satria, Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), universities and research institutions must have epistemological courage to shift from counting publications to measuring meaningful impact through Impact Indicators. This includes assessing how innovations genuinely boost agricultural production amid climate change, improve water quality, enhance the welfare of poor communities via waste banks, encourage public participation in environmental cleanliness through ‘Pro-poor Payment for Environmental Services’ programmes, or increase awareness of medicinal plant use.
Responsible research must respond to concrete civilisational challenges, such as transitioning to a Circular Economy and Green Economy as tangible responses to the global climate crisis. Without measurable and meaningful impact indicators, research activities amount to nothing more than well-packaged national resource waste wrapped in grandiose yet hollow scientific jargon.