Supporting Responsible Research and Innovation within a University-based digital research programme: reflections from the “hoRRIzon” project

Portillo, Virginia; Craigon, Peter; Dowthwaite, Liz; Greenhalgh, Chris; Pérez-Vallejos, Elvira

Abstract

Integration of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles into a research project is key to ensure outputs are ethically acceptable and socially desirable. However, translating RRI principles into practice is challenging as there are no recipes that fit all projects. Drawing on interviews and case studies with researchers, external partners and support staff associated with two linked programmes of research addressing trustworthy autonomous systems and the ethical use of personal data, this reflective paper provides a bottom-up perspective on RRI as it is understood and “done” within the focussed, often relatively short, research projects that largely comprise the research programmes. Existing RRI frameworks and tools were found to provide useful resources for use in supported RRI activities. However, effective use is dependant on facilitation by experienced staff, and time pressure and timing within a project can limit the application of RRI. Research institutions and funding bodies could provide more practical and sustained support for RRI practice – throughout the research lifespan - including incentives for RRI and clearer RRI/RI roles and career pathways, helping to develop an embedded community of RRI practice throughout the digital research community and beyond.

Citation

Portillo, V., Craigon, P., Dowthwaite, L., Greenhalgh, C., & Pérez-Vallejos, E. (2022). Supporting Responsible Research and Innovation within a University-based digital research programme: reflections from the “hoRRIzon” project. Journal of Responsible Technology, 12, Article 100045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrt.2022.100045

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 23, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Sep 16, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Deposit Date: Mar 31, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 6, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Responsible Technology
• Electronic ISSN: 2666-6596
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Article Number: 100045
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrt.2022.100045
• Keywords: Responsible Innovation; RRI; RRI practice; RRI tools; Autonomous systems; digital economy
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/11472529