In less than two decades, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have totally transformed not only the way people connect, communicate and access information, but also the way they work and entertain, they deal with education, health, safety issues, etc. Information technologies, communication networks and social media have also transformed the way wealth is produced, the way societies are governed, and the way they impact their environment. It is then necessary to thoroughly explore the two-way interactions between technology and society, and, putting the human at the center of the analysis, to explore how the digital age can be a true success factor not only for EU’s competitiveness but also for EU’s values and people.
In this context, Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) has a particular importance. RRI can be defined as an inclusive approach to Research & Innovation (R&I), aiming at better aligning both the process and outcomes of R&I with the values, needs, and expectations of the society, notably through reinforcing public engagement, open access, gender dimension, ethical issues, and (formal and informal science) education. Within RRI, the contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) to an RRI approach in ICT is critical: SSH can help monitor economic, legal, and social issues related to technological developments and update the concepts, meanings, and expectations arising from the deployment of ICT.
The need for an RRI approach had been identified by European Commission’s DG Research & Innovation in the early 00’s, through its “Science and Society Action Plan” encouraging a better connection between science and European citizens. Today, RRI has become a major cross-cutting issue in the Horizon 2020 framework programme.
The RRI-ICT Forum project, launched on Jan. 1, 2015 for a period of 3 years, aims at analysing, supporting and promoting the contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) and the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approach in ICT research and innovation under H2020. To that end, the project relies on the following activities:
- Active interaction with other RRI/SSH-intensive (H2020 & non-H2020) ICT-related projects,
- Development of an open community devoted to RRI in ICT,
- Organisation of annual multi-faceted and multi-disciplinary open events,
- Publication of annual reports analysing the emergence of RRI in ICT,
- Contribution to conferences and publications.
RRI-ICT Forum curates the RRI-ICT domain in H2020, facilitates community views and agenda, and empowers other projects and the European Commission.
