Martin, D. and Regan, L. (2018). Bringing RRI to Life in Universities and Scientific Institutions. Kleve, Germany: NUCLEUS Project.
What is Responsible Research and Innovation?
Productive relationships require open communication and respect for values, expectations and goals – and the relationship between research and society is no exception. Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is a process in which stakeholders – such as researchers, citizens and policymakers – work together to align research and innovation with the values, needs and expectations of society. Engaging with a range of stakeholders and working throughout the entire process of knowledge and value creation, RRI is able to address grand societal challenges in a more inclusive way.
NUCLEUS is a four-year project striving to develop a New Understanding of Communication, Learning and Engagement in Universities and Scientific institutions. Its main goal is to implement this understanding by embedding RRI into the governance and culture of research institutions across Europe, China and South Africa.
At the heart of NUCLEUS is the idea that RRI functions in the same way as cells in an organism. The aim is to develop and nurture a productive ‘metabolism’ that integrates all these cells, fostering RRI processes which can respond to diverse needs, values and socio-cultural environments. In order to achieve a a new understanding of innovation, public engagement, creativity and learning, RRI requires new structures and formats, as well as trainings and support for scientists and stakeholders – both inside Higher Education Institutions and in the public sphere.
