Put responsibility in its place

EU policies to help research serve society should forge links to those aiming to spur regional growth, say Rune Dahl Fitjar and his colleagues.

The growing scepticism towards experts and research findings, even among western leaders, creates an imperative for scientists to restore public faith in science. This has brought the idea of responsible research and innovation to the core of European research and innovation policy.

Under the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, RRI has been a cross-cutting action, which all programmes are expected to incorporate. Increasingly, national research councils are also embracing the approach.