In Norway, the Research Council mandates RRI in many projects, requiring descriptions of RRI practices in funding applications. However, the integration of RRI into detailed methodological work packages remains an open question. To discuss how RRI can address societal concerns in biotechnology research, EcoGene organized a seminar at NMBU, where the Research Council and project representatives presented their perspectives on RRI. The Research Council of Norway shared its methodology for incorporating RRI into funding applications and projects (https://www.forskningsradet.no/forskningspolitikk-strategi/rri/). Experts from the Center for Digital Life Norway and the Biotechnology Council provided insights, while institutions such as Nofima, Norsvin, and NMBU discussed their experiences with RRI in various biotechnology projects.
To operationalize RRI, collaboration and proactive reflection
Attendees pointed out that ‘operationalizing’ of RRI remains challenging. Researchers call for precise tools to incorporate RRI principles into practice, but RRI as a concept is inherently flexible, requiring tailored interpretations for each project. Project-based research often relegates RRI to a separate work package, which is not ideal. In some projects RRI is treated as an afterthought in research funding applications. For RRI to be operative, it must be embedded throughout the project. Improved communication between disciplines is also necessary, fostering collaboration between social and natural scientists. To ensure that scientific advancements align with societal needs and ethical standards, cross-disciplinary conversations should begin early to develop useful activities. Collaboration and proactive reflection are key to successfully integrating RRI into research practices.
We should share our experience and learn from each other
The Norwegian Research Council gave positive feedback on its 'investments' in RRI-related projects presented at the seminar. It became evident that as we gain more experience in implementing RRI in biotech projects, we should share our experiences and learn from each other. This can be facilitated by creating online platforms not only for project guidance but also for network building and collaborative learning. There is still room for improvement in developing effective RRI practices, which can be facilitated through robust feedback mechanisms and cross-project learning.
This article was published in Norwegian in Forskningspolitikk, read it here