Responsible Research and Innovation
Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is an approach that anticipates and assesses potential implications and societal expectations with regard to research and innovation, with the aim to foster the design of inclusive and sustainable research and innovation.
RRI implies that societal actors (researchers, citizens, policy makers, business, third sector organisations, etc.) work together during the whole research and innovation process in order to better align both the process and its outcomes with the values, needs and expectations of society.
Responsible Research and Innovation is a cross cutting issue in Horizon 2020, the EU Programme for Research and Innovation 2014-2020.
The European Commission describes RRI as a framework that consists of six key action points:
- Engagement.
- Gender Equality.
- Science Education.
- Open Access.
- Ethics.
- Governance.
How can researchers implement RRI?
Researchers have to anticipate and assess the potential consequences and implication regarding their R&I, aligning the scientific and technical development with the values and needs of the European society. Design and implement RRI means:
- Engage societal actors and citizens in research and innovation activities since the beginning.
- Ensure gender equality in the research process and research content.
- Respect fundamental rights and ethical standards.
- Increase access to scientific results (open access).
- Promote formal and informal science education.
See RRI Tools