How to better align scientific research policy with societal values
The integration of ethics and public engagement into R&I to reflect the values, needs and aspirations of society poses a challenge with the rise of disruptive technologies like synthetic biology, genetic engineering, robotics and AI. Responsible research and innovation (RRI) is seen as key to addressing this issue and confronting public disbelief in science and political suspicion towards evidence-based policymaking. Enter the EU-funded NewHoRRIzon project that focuses on fully integrating RRI into European and national R&I practice and funding. A study conducted by researchers involved with the NewHoRRIzon project has highlighted this need. The study “evaluated the policy integration and implementation in Europe’s Eighth Framework Program for research and innovation, dubbed Horizon 2020, by applying a mixed method approach,” as stated in a news article by Wageningen University & Research, a collaboration between NewHoRRIzon project partner Wageningen University and the Wageningen Research Foundation. “Based on desktop research, interviews and case research, the team examined how policies on responsible research and innovation were translated into research and innovation practices funded by the EU.” The team published its findings in the journal ‘Science’. The researchers argue that despite the political ambitions of the European Commission to better align R&I with the values, needs and expectations of society under the RRI initiative, such efforts have failed to fully bear fruit. According to an article by the European Commission, the actions addressed by the RRI initiative cover public engagement, open access, gender, ethics, science education and institutional change. In the journal article, the researchers state: “Our analysis of this H2020 RRI approach suggests a lack of consistent integration of elements such as ethics, open access, open innovation, and public engagement. On the basis of our evaluation, we suggest possible pathways for strengthening efforts to deliver R&I policies that deepen mutually beneficial science and society relationships.”
Addressing inadequate alignment
The researchers’ solutions to address these issues include “the provision of adequate information, raising awareness and training of policy officers both in the EC and in the Member States,” as noted in the Wageningen University & Research news article. They emphasise that the RRI efforts should be reflected in funding calls and the definition of research goals, “methods and outputs, as well as evaluation criteria used for assessing research proposals requiring funding.” The news article adds: “Moreover, it requires reflection on and balancing of various and often conflicting policy goals, such as economic value creation, scientific advancement, enabling open access to published research findings and responsibility in research and innovation.” The ongoing NewHoRRIzon (Excellence in science and innovation for Europe by adopting the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation) runs 19 Social Labs “to provide a socially based, experimental and systematic approach for addressing complex social challenges related to RRI,” according to the project website. Each of these covers a different section of Horizon 2020. These labs consist of a team, a process and spaces with societal actors working together to achieve the goals of the NewHoRRIzon project. For more information, please see: NewHoRRIzon project website
Keywords
NewHoRRIzon, research and innovation, responsible research and innovation, value, Horizon 2020
