What is the RRI Toolkit for?

The RRI Toolkit aims to encourage the uptake of research and innovation processes better answering the needs and expectations of society. The RRI Toolkit is designed for individuals as well as institutions involved in research, policy-making, business and industry, education, or civil society organizations. It also addresses topics such as open access, gender in science, ethics, science education, governance, public engagement. It is available at http://www.rri-tools.eu.

Please take into account that this is a beta version of the RRI Toolkit. The complete version will be available in July 2016. More on RRI: http://www.rri-tools.eu/about-rri

     What is in the RRI Toolkit?

As of today, the RRI Toolkit contains 356 resources that will help to design and bring projects to life, and to train on Responsible Research and Innovation. These resources include:

• inspiring practices;
• manuals, guidelines, how-tos, catalogues and online databases of resources;
• background documents including presentations, reports, cross-analysis and pan-European surveys;
• other European projects that developed RRI resources;
• and a self-reflection tool on RRI for users to assess their professional practice

As a complement to these resources, videos and presentations introduce the concept, scope and main aspects of Responsible Research and Innovation to newcomers.

Sample resources you can find in the RRI Toolkit:

• Tool: Action Catalogue.

The Action Catalogue, developed by the Engage2020 project, is a catalogueof tools to support researchers, policy-makers and others in finding the best methods for conductinginclusive research. Searching a database of 57 different methods, this tool provides a clear overview ofthe methods relevant for your project’s needs.

• Project: Res-AGorA.

The Res-AGorA project (http://res-agora.eu/) has produceda normative and comprehensive governance framework for RRI. Among other things, this is done by examining RRI in a series of case studies across technological domains and a number of co-constructive workshops bringing together key stakeholders.

• Inspiring practice: EPSRC.

The Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), one of the largest research funders in the UK, has adopted a Framework for Responsible Innovation that involves the “AREA process”-Anticipate,Reflect, Engage and Act-to helpresearchers consider societal issues that may be involved with, or flow from, their work (https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/research/framework/area/). As a result, researchers funded by the EPSRC are expected to ensure that the work they carry out is socially responsive and responsible.

• Library Element: Winning Horizon2020 with Open Science?

Open Science offers researchers tools and workflows for transparency, reproducibility, dissemination and transfer of knowledge. This brief (https://www.fosteropenscience.eu/sites/default/files/pdf/927.pdf) shows why and how Open Science can optimize a Horizon 2020 proposal evaluation. It can help in formulating the societal impact section that answers the overarching political agendas and initiatives, and it provides tips for effectively communicating research results to both users and the market.

The RRI Toolkit is an interactive resource for the community

The RRI Toolkit is a dynamic resource open to a growing European Community of Practice. By joining this community users will be able to participate in discussion fora and get support from other practitioners. They will also be able to contribute to the further development of the Toolkit by uploading their own tools and resources: www.rri-tools.eu/registration

How was the RRI Toolkit built?

The RRI Toolkit has been built by a consortium of 26 organizations participating in the RRI Tools project. Preparatory reports of the consortium paved the way for the RRI Toolkit. 27 workshops involving 400 stakeholders in 24 countries across Europe enabled the project members to put into perspective the needs, constraints, and expectations of the stakeholder groups towards Responsible Research and Innovation. This first consultation phase and the collection of good practices led to the determination of RRI quality criteria and a catalogue of 31 RRI inspiring practices across Europe, both available at http://www.rri-tools.eu/workplan-deliverables. This ultimately framed the scope of the Toolkit.  The 300+ resources in the Toolkit have been selected by the RRI Tools members with the collaboration of their partners in Europe. The RRI Toolkit being dynamic and participatory, it is now open to the community such that everyone can upload and showcase its own practices.

Source: RRI Tools Press Release