Following the momentous decision by the UK to leave the EU on 23 June 2016, there has been much turmoil and confusion about the future of UK access to and engagement with EU funding and projects. According to one report: “UK universities have in the region of 100,000 collaborative links involving UK-based researchers working with their European counterparts.” It goes on to say that sixty percent of all internationally co-authored research papers produced by the country's scientists include at least one European co-author, and EU money enables UK universities to work together across a continent, to lead multinational collaborations, and to share in European resources, data and expertise.

Summary of a full day workshop

Friday 1^st of July, about forty people – academics, cultural actors, businesses, policy makers – met up at the Cité des sciences et de l'industrie for a full day workshop on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) that we co-organized within the RRI Tools project framework. “European project”, “Science education”, “Living Lab”, “Sustainable innovation” … are some of the words that could be heard during participants conversations, waiting for the beginning of the day, coffee at hand. There is no doubt that the RRI concept triggers enthusiasm as well as it raises questions.

Mobilis Science Center organized a roundtable discussion on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in Budapest on 13th July. Leading researchers, university professors, members of civil society organizations, and strategic planners of the National Research, Development and Innovation Office joined the event.

Right beside the Bega channel, where white vaporetto-s are sailing, there is a brand new, futuristic office building, owned by the Timisoara Mayor Hall, fully administrated and operated by young entrepreneurs from Timisoara: INCUBOXX.

A room full of young and bright minds. Curious questioning eyes focused on the two presenters in front. The presentation starts. A word cannot pass without being reflected upon. Each slide is followed closely. Each aspect of RRI is discussed. Each statement – thoroughly examined and broken down to bits simple enough to know “what’s in it for me?” The RRI concept is indeed stirring up minds.

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As part of our commitment to supply the RRI Toolkit with new tools, a group of RRI practitioners and enthusiasts from science engagement organisations decided to gather a selection of good practices. Is there a better way to share what is known but from the first-hand experts?

Experimentarium, Muse, AHHAA, Science Animation, Ciência Viva and Ecsite introduce you to an exciting field: by reading these stories, you will get a clear sense of how RRI can enrich your work, your performance and sense of belonging to a community.

As a starter, enjoy this interview with Bruno Dosseur, director of the Dome, in Normandy, France. Expand your views on how a science centre can reshape its mission by being open, transparent and inclusive. It will really open your eyes. Promised.

(The guide will be launched at the end of summer and of course it will be showcased here!)

When a Science Center becomes a Co-working space the difference between partners and publics tends to disappear.

Credit: © Relais d’Sciences/G.Dupuy (2015)