Post by Ulrich Schoisswohl from FFG - originally published at the NewHoRRIzon´s project news section

A big thank you to everyone who came forward and supported SwafS and RRI in the public consultations on Horizon Europe launched by the European Commission!

We are relieved that our requests for a stronger consideration of SwafS and RRI have made it into the report on the web-based consultations. Considering the fact that there was no mentioning of SwafS and RRI before the public consultations this is indeed a big win!

The following section has been included in the part ‘Widening/European Research Area’ under the heading ‘on citizen science’ as the central feedback from the public consultations:

A significant number of responses stated that high levels of citizen participation in codesign (e.g. agenda setting) and co-creation (e.g. citizen science, user-led innovation) are required to meet the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. They stressed that research and innovation must take into account the needs, values and expectations of citizens, in line with Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and seek to go beyond technological solutions to those that encompass social, economic and governance issues. These responses called for high levels of inclusion of society in research and innovation, specific actions to improve science education (e.g. working closely with schools and other educational establishments), the joint involvement in actions of researchers, businesses, policy makers and citizens (“quadruple helix”) to arrive at solutions that are adapted to societal needs, and interactive and innovative approaches to communicating and deliberating about innovation and science. Finally, these responses reminded that there is a large body of knowledge and existing networks that have developed from the Science and Society (FP6), Science in Society (FP7) and Science with and for Society (Horizon 2020) programmes, which should be leveraged and valorised to help ensure Horizon Europe’s success.

Source: Co-design towards the first strategic plan for Horizon Europe. A report on the web-based consultation and on the European Research and Innovation Days. Page 37

In addition to that there now seems to be an awareness that the wording with respect to gender issues is crucial when it comes to the integration of gender into research and innovation: there is now a more pronounced differentiation between ‘gender equality’ and ‘the gender dimension’ (See page 36 & 37 in the report)

You can find the full report here.