Responsible Research and Innovation in the Open Science Era

ongoing

Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) seeks to bring together researchers, citizens, policymakers, businesses, and educators to cooperate throughout the research and innovation process, aligning outcomes with societal values and needs. This approach is a key component of the European Commission's ‘Horizon 2020’ program, which aims to address global challenges such as climate change, energy, and health while promoting smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in Europe through practical tools. In Chile, although progress has been made in adopting the RRI approach, cultural and public policy contradictions persist, hindering collaboration between research, innovation, and the general public, which often perceives science as distant. In this context, the Universidad Autónoma de Chile (UAC) highlights the need for spaces that foster mutual understanding and cooperation within the RRI framework. General Aim: Disseminate and provide training in Chile on the European Union's Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approach and tools among researchers, university students, policymakers, educators, business and industry innovators, and civil society organizations, to bridge the gap between science and society in Chile to address global challenges. Outputs and Activities The UAC will host an RRI-aligned module for diverse sectors, encouraging reflection on the European Union's implementation of the RRI approach, focusing on six pillars: ethics, gender equality, governance, open access, public engagement, and science education. Courses, publications, educational resources, and seminars will be created, with open-access materials ensuring sustainability. The module will be integrated into UAC’s resources. Program Relevance By connecting EU advances with Chile’s context, this program fosters inclusive, reflective science that is closer to societal needs, promoting collaboration and bridging gaps between science, policy, and citizenship.