Responsible research and innovation. Europe’s ability to respond to societal challenges

The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission is determined to bridge the gap between the scientific community and society at large. In 2001, the «Science and Society» Action Plan was launched to set out a common strategy to make a better connection between science and European citizens. In 2007, under the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7), «Science and Society» became «Science in Society (SiS)» with the main objective to foster public engagement and a sustained two-way dialogue between science and civil society. Since 2010 the focus of SiS has been to develop a concept responding to the aspirations and ambitions of European citizens: a framework for Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).

The grand societal challenges that lie before us will have a far better chance of being tackled if all societal actors are fully engaged in the co-construction of innovative solutions, products and services. Responsible Research and Innovation means that societal actors 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 European society. RRI is an ambitious challenge for the creation of a Research and Innovation policy driven by the needs of society and engaging all societal actors via inclusive participatory approaches.

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