Organising stakeholder workshops in research and innovation – between theory and practice

This article addresses the theory and practice of creating responsiveness among actors through deliberative dialogue processes with stakeholders from diverse institutional settings. The EU’s decision to mainstream stakeholder deliberation in research and innovation, as part of its focus on responsible research and innovation (RRI), creates a new potential for experimentation and integration of deliberative processes. The article presents a list of essential considerations for three steps in the workshop process: planning and design, workshop interaction and the gathering of conclusions. Finally, the article illustrates the challenges of applying theory to five European stakeholder workshops co-organised by the authors. The illustration highlights the difficult interaction between theory and practice. The article concludes that while theoretical perspectives can provide general guidance, practical experience is essential when dealing with the trade-offs that are an intrinsic part of organising stakeholder workshops

Organising stakeholder workshops in research and innovation – between theory and practice

This article addresses the theory and practice of creating responsiveness among actors through deliberative dialogue processes with stakeholders from diverse institutional settings. The EU’s decision to mainstream stakeholder deliberation in research and innovation, as part of its focus on responsible research and innovation (RRI), creates a new potential for experimentation and integration of deliberative processes. The article presents a list of essential considerations for three steps in the workshop process: planning and design, workshop interaction and the gathering of conclusions. Finally, the article illustrates the challenges of applying theory to five European stakeholder workshops co-organised by the authors. The illustration highlights the difficult interaction between theory and practice. The article concludes that while theoretical perspectives can provide general guidance, practical experience is essential when dealing with the trade-offs that are an intrinsic part of organising stakeholder workshops

Lessons from RRI in the Making. Res-AGorA Policy Note #1

The purpose of this brief is to summarise for policy and other stakeholder audiences the extensive empirical research which informed the Res-AGorA team’s understanding of ‘RRI-in-the-making’, highlighting the key lessons and policy implications of our work. It was clear from the outset that the notion of responsibility in Research and Innovation (R&I) is a contested phenomenon that is continually evolving and is historically and geographically situated. Developing a deep understanding of how the concept of RRI has emerged was critical in enabling the co-construction of a framework to assist and guide strategic decision makers and practitioners in Europe. The goal is to make R&I systems more responsible: responsive, inclusive and sustainable in the contemporary moment, with reference to the societal, technological, political and economic challenges and opportunities facing Europe currently