Monitoring the Evolution and Benefits of Responsible Research and Innovation (MoRRI) - a preliminary framework for RRI dimensions & indicators

There has been a growing focus, among both policymakers and researchers, on ideas of responsible research and innovation, as a way to ensure that new sources of public value are captured. The EC defines RRI as "a process where all societal actors (researchers, citizens, policy makers, business, third sector organisations etc) work together during the whole R&I process in order to better align R&I outcomes to the values, needs and expectations of European society". In operational terms, it brings together under the RRI umbrella dimensions of engagement, gender, education, open access, ethics and governance. RRI is a highly relevant area for policy. Therefore the EC has commissioned a study on ‘Monitoring the Evolution and Benefits of Responsible Research and Innovation’ (MoRRI). It contributes conceptual work on RRI, provides extensive exploration of existing metrics capturing RRI, and develops new indicators requiring primary data collection.
Indicator development is based upon an intervention logic that builds mainly on the five dimensions mentioned complemented by the horizontal dimension of governance. Monitoring is suggested to build upon a set of 6x6 indicators that were selected from a broader number of potential indicators that were validated in a multi-level process. Initial data collection was used to testing these indicators, whereby the emphasis is put on using both quantitative and qualitative methods for all areas.
The lack of adequate measures of responsibility in research and innovation hampers the mainstreaming of RRI. While ‘pairing’ responsibility and scientific excellence is an explicit aim for the RRI agenda, they are in reality often perceived as contradictory demands by the individual scientists or viewed as unequally important concerns by the research performing - and research funding - organisations. Identification of useful indicators and metrics for RRI might contribute to bringing issues of responsibility from a peripheral position and closer to the center of activity.
This paper concludes with a reflection on evidence of ‘benefits’ or impacts of RRI. Being able to identify such benefits goes beyond the rather simplistic idea of monitoring RRI through indicators. Identifiable benefits will further help in shaping and refining indicators. And finding a common denominator in a broad diversity of benefits helps policy in structuring further mainstreaming of RRI.