Responsible research and innovation

Science, technology and innovation shape the future. But what kind of future do we want? This question goes beyond science. And it guides our work at the Centre for Digital Life Norway. 

Research and innovation in biotechnology is closely intertwined with how society functions. We have sufficient proof that these innovations have and continue to shape our futures. However, the way development in biotechnology impacts society often has complex and even unintended consequences.

Examples such as antibiotics represent profound improvements in health care that have saved millions of lives. At the same time, increasing evidence of the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria reveal the unintended consequences antibiotics have had not only in health care but on the environment.

Similar examples are frequently found in other areas of biotechnology. This then begs the question what kind of futures can and should biotechnology enable? How desirable are these futures to us? How can we know what is desirable and if what we desire is sustainable for the planet? Who is us? Answers to these questions go beyond the walls of conventional science. They require a shift in the ethos of science.

In a world marked by pandemics, socio-cultural upheaval, climate change, war and financial crisis, the urgency of finding solutions has never been greater. Yet adressing solutions that do not exacerbate the problems that science and innovation have contributed to requires a fundamental change.

A change in how science is done and how scientists see their role in society. From science for society to science with society. A culture where: 

  • anticipating and reflecting upon the known, as well as unknown, desirable as well as undesirable impacts of said research is the norm rather than the exception 

  •  where all those, and not just the usual suspects impacted by said research are included and given a voice

  • the objectives of said research are tailored in response to these processes

The policy of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is aimed at building this culture of responsibility and accountability by guiding funding, research and innovation activities. It is aimed at offering scientists and other stakeholders the tools to tackle key global challenges while considering societal values such as equality and respect.  

Activities - Responsible research and innovation

The Centre for Digital Life Norway's responsible research and innovation team is actively engaged in various activities, some which are showcased here.

 

Digital Life Norway and responsible research and innovation 

Funded by the Research Council of Norway, Digital Life Norway (DLN) has been identified as a lighthouse to guide this transformation and culture change within the Norwegian biotechnology landscape. It is one of the core objectives driving our work at DLN and underpins our activities. committed to a biotechnology that is mindful of its societal context, we are building an infrastructure to support responsible innovation activities within research projects and at the DLN. 

What we do and how:

  • Through courses, we introduce practical and conceptual aspects of RRI in meetings and workshops
  • We consult with the Digital Life funded research projects and support them in implementing their own commitments to responsible innovation actions

  • We support the management of the Digital Life research school and contribute to its educational initiatives

  • We bring together life scientists with researchers from the humanities and social sciences who investigate RRI-aspects of new and emerging technologies

  • We engage in dialogue with other stakeholder in and around our research projects and scientific institutions, such as the Research Council of Norway, NGOs, industry and publics on issues of societal relevance

We also attend to questions like:

  • What does the Research Council of Norway’s RRI framework imply for the field of biotechnology in Norway?  

  • What social challenges should biotechnological research address?  

  • What kind of future society does Norwegian biotechnology want to enable?  

  • How does the Norwegian context invite engagement and participation? 

  • Why do we need to transform Norwegian life science and towards what ends?

Contact

Anders Braarud Hanssen 

Senior adviser responsible research and innovation (RRI), employed at NTNU

anbh@oslomet.no

 

 

 

 

Anamika Chatterjee

Senior adviser responsible research and innovation (RRI), employed at NTNU

anamika.chatterjee@ntnu.no

 

 

 

Roger Strand

Member of expert task force, Professor at UiB

E-mail: roger.strand@uib.no

About Responsible Research and Innovation

Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is a policy that guides funding, research and innovation activities.

Frequently asked questions

This page provides some advice on how researchers can prepare themselves for when they are asked to demonstrate how they incorporate and respond to societal aspects of their research when applying for research funding.

 

Resources on responsible research and innovation

This page offers a list of resources on responsible research and innovation.