Empowering civil society through educating about responsible research and innovation

Abstract

Number of factors may be indicated that can negatively affect the willingness of third sector actors and citizens to get involved with research and innovation policy. It is worth referring to these factors as barriers to societal engagement. Six key barriers can be identified: lack of knowledge and skills, lack of relevance, lack of impact, lack of trust and critical views of others, lack of time and finances, and lack of legitimacy. The main purpose of this article is to present some policies and practice options that can help to overcome these barriers. The main focus will be on solving the lack of knowledge and skills of social actors. In this context, the fact that citizens and third sector actors may perceive an engagement process as not relevant to their own interests, concerns, and goals may be indicated as the main cause for their non-involvement. Citizens and third sector actors may refrain from engagement when they fear they lack the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in research or in research and innovation policy. They may also be reluctant to participate when they do not have the basic understanding of science and scientific working methods. The article will propose an overview of policies and activities that can effectively overcome the indicated barriers to engagement.

Keywords

• Civil society
• education
• RRI
• societal engagement