Making Space and Taking Time

for Responsible Research and Innovation in Academic Practice

Societies and policy increasingly rely on research and innovation to address the challenges of our time. More than ever before, researchers are required to align their work to ideals of societal relevance, and to fulfil expectations of scientific excellence at the same time. In Europe, this call for changing science-society relations has been subsumed under the term “Responsible Research and Innovation” (RRI).

Bridging the life sciences and the social sciences at the University of Vienna, the new research platform “Responsible Research and Innovation in Academic Practice” sets out to investigate how we can best establish RRI as a core value in academic research and education. This calls for a better understanding of the spectrum of different meanings of responsibility in research practice (ranging from research integrity, over public engagement, open access to anticipation) as well as of the working conditions, which provide time and space for acting in responsible manners.

Kick-off Event

On the first day of the event, members of the new research platform will present the research agenda and future activities. A distinguished lecture will launch a debate about how RRI can be embedded at universities.

 

First Workshop: Metrics, Values and Evaluation

The second day will focus on the use of metrics and indicators in evaluating academic work as well as on the rhythms of academic work, and will question whether they open up or close down opportunities for responsible practice. It will feature lectures in the morning and interactive workshops in the afternoon.

Kick-Off Event 19 October 2016

Program

KICK-OFF EVENT

19 October, 18:00 - 21:00, Großer Saal

Making Space and Taking Time for Responsible Research and Innovation in Academic Practice

18:00

Welcome Address
Heinz Engl, Rector of the University of Vienna
Klement Tockner, President of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF)


RRI: From a Buzzword to a Lived Reality
Ulrike Felt, Andreas Richter, Renée Schroeder
Members of the Research Platform Responsible Research and Innovation in Academic Practice, University of Vienna


The Responsible University: Embedding RRI in Research Cultures, Policies and Practices
James Wilsdon
Professor of Research Policy & Director of Impact and Engagement, Sheffield University (UK)

 

Get Together, Drinks & Fingerfood

LECTURES AND DEBATES

20 October, 09:45 – 12:30, Großer Saal

Metrics, Values and Evaluation in Academic Practice

09:45 – 10:30

Values and (E)valuations in Different Fields
Sarah de Rijcke, Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University (NL)
Discussant: Andreas Richter, Department of Microbiology and Ecosystem Science, University of Vienna


10:30 – 11:15

Surfing or Drowning: Where Next for the Metric Tide?
James Wilsdon, Department of Politics, Sheffield University (UK)
Discussant: Renée Schroeder, Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Vienna


Coffee Break: 11:15 – 11:45

11:45 – 12:30

Squeezing Responsibility into Rhythms of Academic Life
Ulrike Felt, Department of Science and Technology Studies, University of Vienna
Discussant: Sylvia Knapp, Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM), Austrian Academy of Sciences, MedUni Vienna

 

Lunch Buffet: 12:30 – 13:30

PARALLEL WORKSHOPS

20 October, 13:30 - 17:00, Kapelle

We invite researchers, research managers, policy makers and stakeholders to participate in the workshops!

13:30 – 15:30

Workshop 1:
Living and Working with Indicators
with Sarah de Rijcke, Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University (NL)

Workshop 2:
What do we Value and (E)valuate in Research?
with James Wilsdon, Department of Politics, Sheffield University (UK)

Workshop 3:
Making Time for Responsible Research
with Ulrike Felt, Department of Science and Technology Studies, University of Vienna

 

Coffee Break: 15:30 – 16:00


16:00 – 17:00
Brief Reports from the Workshops and Concluding Debate on Metrics, Values and Evaluation in Academic Practice

If you want to participate in any of the workshops, please register until the 14th October via e-mail: platform.rri@univie.ac.at.

If you are a PhD student and require a certificate of participation, please indicate that in your registration!

Event Location

Albert Schweitzer Haus
Scharzspanierstraße 13
1090 Vienna