This course is delivered by Researcher Academy in conjunction with the ‘Institute of Science and Society’ based in the School of Sociology and Social Policy, Faculty of Social Sciences

Asynchronous and Synchronous Online alternative to face-to-face course: Responsible Innovation: Engineering with Society

Pre-requisites:

It is important that all of the pre-recorded materials have been viewed by each participant, in advance of the synchronous facilitated interactive workshops. This pre-recorded material will not be comprehensively reviewed in these workshops and the group activities assume these materials have been digested.

The course comprises of:

1. Pre-Recorded bite sized Powerpoint presentations – released 17^th April (pre-requisite viewing)
2. 2 x 1.5 hrs Adobe Connect facilitated interactive workshops. Comprising group discussion and online task based group activity. ( A webinar link will be circulated prior to the session)
   1. 23^rd April 1.30-3pm
   2. 24^th April 1.30-3pm
3. Course handbook with follow up reading and individual reflective activity (post-requisite assessment activity)

Training points awarded for completion of all 3 phases of the course only

Session Description:

Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) has rapidly become an important mode of research and innovation governance and practice within the UK, the EU and beyond, aiming to more closely align science and technology with societal needs and values.

The aim of the module is to provide an overview of the wider social, cultural, economic and political context of engineering, chemical and materials sciences and innovation, through introducing them to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) concepts, practices and processes. Through pre-recorded lectures, interactive online activity based learning and post course reading and reflection, students will develop the knowledge and skills to understand and think critically about approaches to RRI within Engineering contexts, and to implement RRI in their current and future research and innovation activities.

The course will enable Engineering PGRs

• to consider the ways in which science and society mutually shape each other
• to understand their own and others’ responsibilities within existing and more recent approaches to research governance
• to grasp the dimensions of the EPSRCs AREA framework for RRI
• to develop understanding of the range of ways in which RRI could be put into practice in their own work
• to comprehend the broader political and policy context at national, international and global levels

Most importantly, learners are guided through activities to develop the competencies required to adopt an RRI approach in their own research projects and field of research.

Course tutor: Richard Helliwell

Course Host: Alison Johnson and Chris Gratton (tbc)

 

Course platforms:

• to be run via Moodle and Adobe Connect