Round Table: “RRI Responsible Research and Innovation – new orientation in European science and innovation. What is it about?”

This webcast was hosted by WTZ Süd and its collaboration project Connecting.Ideas4Research on 5 February 2021 to discuss an RRI approach for science and innovation in light of present and possible future developments.

The round table brought together European experts in RRI to address the key issues going forward for scientists and researchers. The main discussion topics touched on new orientations in the mindset of scientists, cooperation methods, stakeholder engagement and developments in EU funding.

As chair of the meeting, IAMRRI project coordinator Brigitte Kriszt kicked off discussions by stressing how scientists need to react to society’s needs in Responsible Research and Innovation and how the focus should be looking to the future and aiming for sustainable R&I.

DigiTeRRI coordinator Marianne Hörlesberger was an active participant in the debate, indicating the importance of involving representatives of the quadruple helix in R&I projects and bringing all players together to co-create. She also mentioned how citizens can be recruited to participate in early stages of innovation by showing them the benefits they will receive.

Also a panellist, SeeRRI coordinator Nhien Nguyen stressed the idea of co-responsibility and having everyone participate in the research process in order to align it with society’s needs. She also underlined the importance of creating synergy between RRI and open access to facilitate advancements in solving society’s issues.

Prompted by a series of questions and answers, the group also spoke out the responsibility of scientists and researchers to speak up in order to get proper information to the masses. Those who know how RRI can advance society have a duty to support those willing to work and get everyone engaged.

The closing message of the round table was a call to bring RRI into the culture of science and for scientists and researchers to reach outside their immediate bubble and communicate their research and results to society at large.