Public Engagement for Dynamic Governance of Research and Innovation

Abstract

Public engagement (PE) has become an important theme of research and innovation (R&I) activity in several countries. In Europe, which is the main focus of this paper, the European Commission – by setting PE as a key thematic element of its policy for responsible research and innovation (RRI) – has promoted fundamental changes in the ways that civil society and other stakeholders outside the scientific community influence, and are expected to influence research activities. Promoting PE means giving more weight to citizens and stakeholders in the definition of research needs, in the critical reflection of current and future research priorities, and in the implementation of R&I activities. In this paper we analyse the trends and characteristics of innovative PE based on a recent international study of such processes, and discuss how PE can contribute to more dynamic and responsible governance of research and innovation.