19 June 2017, Brussels, Belgium
There are several barriers to mainstreaming societal engagement with research and innovation which need to be addressed: by dedicated research, science and technology policies. How these policies could look like was subject of lively discussions at the PROSO conference.
On June 19, 2017, a broad range of stakeholders including policy makers, research management and funding organizations, science education and communication actors, RRI researchers and third sector organizations from across Europe and beyond discussed innovative ways to promote the engagement of society with research and innovation (R&I) in Europe. The PROSO team presented preliminary results on barriers to citizens and TSO engagement with R&I and possible ways (policy and practice options) to address these barriers. The participants discussed barriers and policy/practice options in small groups with varying composition. The discussions in the break-out groups were very lively and highly productive and produced a wealth of inspiring and instructive thoughts on how to lower barriers and strengthen incentives – these will be an important input into the policy and practice guide which is PROSO’s main output. The guide will offer policy-makers, research funders and third sector organizations insights and inspiration around how to promote citizen and TSO engagement in European research systems.
