Over the past decade, responsible research and innovation (RRI) has gained significant attention in research policy circles, particularly within European research organizations funded through Horizon 2020 (H2020). RRI aims to integrate ethical, societal, and environmental considerations into research practices. Many projects have explored how organizational changes can drive RRI principles within research institutions. However, a crucial question remains: Can organizational policies genuinely influence researchers’ practices?
In this study, we narrow our focus to public engagement, one of the key elements of RRI promoted by the European Commission. Public engagement seeks to involve non-experts, such as citizens, consumers, and patient groups, in research processes, fostering responsiveness and inclusivity. We investigate whether researchers are more likely to engage the public when their organizations emphasize, incentivize, and support public engagement.
Our study relies on two data collection methods: a document study of 120 European research performing organizations (RPOs) and a survey of 4,108 researchers from these institutions. The document study evaluates the public engagement policies and mechanisms within RPOs, while the survey collects self-reported data on researchers’ public engagement in their recent projects.
Our findings suggest that while most RPOs mention public engagement in their strategies, concrete support mechanisms are limited. Only a few RPOs provide researchers with the necessary tools and incentives to engage meaningfully with the public, particularly at higher levels of involvement.
Regarding researchers’ practices, we observe varying levels of public engagement across fields of study. Social scientists and medical researchers tend to be more actively engaged with the public, reflecting differences in epistemological and historical contexts.
The study also hints at a potential positive relationship between the variety of public engagement policies within an RPO and researchers’ engagement activities. However, causality remains unclear, and researchers with a pre-existing inclination toward public engagement may seek supportive environments.
In conclusion, organizational policies can create an environment conducive to public engagement among researchers, but they may not fundamentally alter researchers’ preferences. While this study provides valuable insights, a more detailed, qualitative examination is needed to understand the nuances better. Moreover, for a significant impact on research practices, changes in organizational policies must align with shifts in funding and scientific culture. Public engagement remains a promising avenue for responsible research and innovation, but the journey toward full integration is ongoing.You can find the full case study here.