Scientix 9th SPWatFCL Brussels 6-8 November 2015: RRI Tools

Editor's Notes

1. Bridging the gap - Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) aims to bring together researchers, citizens, policy makers, businesses and educators to cooperate during the entire research and innovation process in order to align the outcomes of research with the values and needs of society. RRI is a cross-cutting issue in the European Commission ‘Horizon 2020’ Framework Programme. Its ultimate ambition is to address the great challenges of our time (climate change, energy, health, etc.) and to encourage smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe. It is still an emerging concept and, in order to implement RRI, concrete tools are needed. This is where our project steps in.
2. In August, a report by the Expert group on Science education was published, for the DG Research and Innovation, within the SWAFS programme. The report is titled, as you can see in the footnote, Science Education for Responsible Citizenship. Beyond a theoretical part and a comprehensive overview of best practices for Stem education across Europe, the report includes a set of general recommendations, at the beginning and among those one related to RRI.
3. A wide umbrella that brings together different aspects of the relationship between science and innovation with society: The European Commission has identified six key components for RRI. They should be seen as powerful policy agendas that each have their own potential to realize RRI processes and outcomes. Agenda on EDUCATION: Focuses on enhancing the current education process to better equip citizens with the necessary knowledge and skills so they can participate in research and innovation debates; (2) increasing the number of researchers (promote scientific vocations). The RRI Tools leaflet you can download from the website offers also a brief descriptions of all the agendas.
4. A wide umbrella that brings together different aspects of the relationship between science and innovation with society: The European Commission has identified six key components for RRI. They should be seen as powerful policy agendas that each have their own potential to realize RRI processes and outcomes. Agenda on EDUCATION: Focuses on enhancing the current education process to better equip citizens with the necessary knowledge and skills so they can participate in research and innovation debates; (2) increasing the number of researchers (promote scientific vocations). The RRI Tools leaflet you can download from the website offers also a brief descriptions of all the agendas.
5. The project is funded under the 7th Framework program of European Union COORDINATOR is “la Caixa” Foundation With a consortium of 26 institutions, including European Schoolnet, active in 30 European countries 3 years (01/2014-12/2016)
6. This project aims at developing a Toolkit to help in the implementation of Responsible Research and Innovation in Europe and to disseminate it. It is an online platform that aims at supporting any interested stakeholders in finding resource to implement RRI in their context The platform has also introductory sections with summaries of theoretical aspects by policy agenda and by stakeholders, therefore there are two section dedicated to the Education community and Science Education The toolkit includes Library, Practices, Tools and Inspiring practices. The Toolkit will be open for testing at the end of November and to the public in January 2016. It will also be possible to contribute to the Toolkit with resources or to mention it to other organisations you may who do it If you are interested in knowing more about the Toolkit and have access to it, please, get in contact with us.
7. The project is based on a permanent dialogue with all the stakeholders. The project has identified 6 Stakeholders groups: Policy makers, Researchers, Industry, Civil society organisations and of course the Education community Collaborating with all stakeholders, it will help create a Community of Practice in Europe, which will ensure the use, evolution and enrichment of the Toolkit. In order to build this Community of Practice, the Consortium relies on 19 national centres, the RRI Hubs, responsible for opening participation to the maximum number of institutions and individuals in the field. If you are interested you can get in contact with your National Hub. In Spring 2016, the Hubs will also start to organise workshop and trainings at national level.
8. The project is based on a permanent dialogue with all the stakeholders. The project has identified 6 Stakeholders groups: Policy makers, Researchers, Industry, Civil society organisations and of course the Education community Collaborating with all stakeholders, it will help create a Community of Practice in Europe, which will ensure the use, evolution and enrichment of the Toolkit. In order to build this Community of Practice, the Consortium relies on 19 national centres, the RRI Hubs, responsible for opening participation to the maximum number of institutions and individuals in the field. If you are interested you can get in contact with your National Hub. In Spring 2016, the Hubs will also start to organise workshop and trainings at national level.