Practical steps to make European research and innovation more socially responsible
Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is an approach which considers the social impacts of research and innovation, while increasing inclusivity. It prompts questions about how research questions, methodology and expected outcomes can better align with societal needs. Yet, as researchers compete internationally for funding, reputation and jobs, RRI activities can be viewed as an onerous investment of time and resources. “Those wanting to adopt RRI are often swimming against the tide. The current incentive system rests on either a narrow understanding of scientific excellence or the economic rationale of quickly bringing research to the market,” says Erich Griessler from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Austria. While Griessler asserts that RRI needs experimental spaces to try out new RRI ideas, he also cautions that with organisations structured around discipline silos, they are hard to roll out. The EU-supported NewHoRRIzon project he coordinated aimed to address these issues. It set up experimental ‘Social Labs’ where participants from across Europe, and beyond, came up with over 50 pilot actions to integrate RRI into Horizon 2020 research activities.
The social labs
Inspired by the work of Zaid Hassan, the team developed 19 Social Labs involving more than 700 individuals, over 2 years. The labs represented the Horizon 2020 research pillars, alongside each funding specialism. Under the guidance of lab managers and through workshops, participants developed RRI visions, alongside pilot activities to achieve them. After a vote to decide which actions to pursue, working groups were formed and reported on progress for a decision to stop, continue or change, resulting in over 50 agreed actions. These pilot actions were designed for researchers, funders, policymakers, citizens, civil society organisations and business. They covered all keys aspects of RRI, including: public engagement; gender equality; open access; ethics and governance; as well as science literacy and education. ‘Quadralogue’, for instance, demonstrated how, by using a dialogue game, researchers, young students, citizens and research administrators can engage simply and playfully in discussions about the societal implications of cutting-edge research. The ‘BINTELLIGENT’ interactive wastebin promotes waste management, using sensors to provide guidance on sorting recycling waste, while in ‘Genvoice’ young people rethought urban transportation. NewHoRRIzon’s Societal Readiness Thinking Tool is a web-based tool to help researchers integrate RRI criteria and reflect on the societal impact of their work at critical stages in the project life cycle, encompassing research design, activities, data analysis and dissemination. The tool offers practical guidance, using customised focus areas, on how to mature the project’s societal readiness. “The Social Lab provided a unique space for stakeholders to address any previously unvoiced concerns, and the Thinking Tool helps researchers align project activities with societal needs and expectations,” explains Griessler.
Beyond the lab
NewHoRRIzon contributes to EU initiatives, like the Green Deal, with practical activities built from the knowledge that successful technical solutions to global challenges have to be embedded in social need and acceptance. “But RRI must now take seed beyond social labs, within powerful institutions, such as the EU. This requires difficult but lasting institutional change. We need to build a coalition of the willing and address confusion and scepticism about RRI,” notes Griessler. The project’s findings, including a ‘Science’ article, have already been published. NewHoRRIzon also launched a virtual exhibition showcasing RRI activities. Additionally, an RRI Ambassador Network was established to promote networking amongst RRI champions.
Keywords
NewHoRRIzon, responsible, research, innovation, social readiness, public engagement, gender equality, open access, ethics, governance, science literacy