Update on Responsible Research and Innovation

I may have written the last post just a few days too early. A lot of information about Responsible Research and Innovation is now available on the website of the FP7 SwfS project

RRI Tools

Fostering Responsible Research and Innovation
Towards an open science and innovation system that tackles the grand societal challenges

According to RRI Tools beta version, in a nutshell, RRI is:

Involving society in science and innovation ‘very upstream’ in the processes of R&I to align its outcomes with the values of society.

A wide umbrella connecting different aspects of the relationship between R&I and society: public engagement, open access, gender equality, science education, ethics, and governance.

A cross-cutting issue in Horizon 2020, the EU Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020.

Graphic representation of the key components involved in RRI:

Graph showing the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation

Responsible Research and Innovation at a glance, bubbling in its original version. Image: rri-tools.eu

You can find all about RRI on the project website, including an introduction, a community of practice and a searchable collection of tools such as

Use manuals, guidelines, and how-tos to implement RRI
RRI success stories across Europe
Information about other projects and potential partners
A self-reflection tool
Training and communication materials

My first impression of RRI Tools: A lot of work has been done since I last looked at the website. The sheer amount of projects, documents and links is still overwhelming. However, I found some useful concepts presented in vivid charts such as the start page of the Self Reflection Tool.

Component of Responsible Research and Innovation: Openness and Transparency

Components of Responsible Research and Innovation: openness and transparency. Image: rri-tools.eu

The corresponding questionnaire about openness and transparency will be very useful for further developing open access strategies in the FLARECAST project. I hope that there will be time to discuss some of the points at the next consorium meeting in Genova.

Link to questionnaire about openness and transparency by RRI-Tools