Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - STARBIOS 2 (Structural Transformation to Attain Responsible BIOSciences)

Teaser

The loose connection between research and society could make European research unable to address the key development problems, unable to exploit its potential for innovation and competitiveness, and socially isolated. Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is important...

Summary

The loose connection between research and society could make European research unable to address the key development problems, unable to exploit its potential for innovation and competitiveness, and socially isolated. Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is important, because it focuses on the subject of a stronger R&I, and even more relevant with respect to society. The sector of Biosciences is one of the most exposed to the mentioned risk, and therefore one where RRI-oriented actions are needed the most. STARBIOS2 aims to cope with this risk, by promoting the increasing alignment of European research with the needs and values of society, and a greater involvement of stakeholders.
The project has the three following main focuses/objectives.
1) Develop RRI-oriented structural change processes, by designing, implementing and evaluating 6 RRI Action Plans (APs) in research institutions from Europe (in Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, United Kingdom), and developing 3 further APs in non-European entities (in Brazil, South Africa, United States), all active in the field of biosciences. 5 RRI keys are considered: Public Engagement; Gender; Education; Open access; Ethics.
2) Develop a learning process on RRI-oriented structural change, based on implementation of APs. The following issues are considered: resistances and barriers to RRI; key factors favoring or supporting RRI; strategic options and RRI-oriented tools. This learning process is a way for better understanding and capitalizing the main results emerging from the APs for communicating, disseminating the policy of the structural change for RRI and also for scaling up. The outputs of the learning process will result in the development of a set of guidelines on RRI implementation, aimed at providing recommendations on how to deal with resistances to RRI in research institutions.
3) Develop a sustainable model for RRI in biosciences. STARBIOS2 is envisioned as a unique opportunity to strengthen a critical analysis of contents, implications, critical aspects, possible strategies and future perspectives for RRI policies in biosciences. The model would provide the staff and leaders of Biosciences Departments and Divisions with further and better formalized orientations and practical knowledge about the key issues related to the implementation of RRI and how they can be encompassed.

Work performed

The work performed and the main results are summarized as follows.

Objective 1 - Attain RRI structural change in six European institutions active in the field of biosciences through the implementation of the Action Plans
Status: The six Action Plans are ongoing (WP2, WP3, WP4, WP5, WP6, WP7). For reasons related to the implementation and monitoring, the actions planned in the DoA have been tuned into Streams of Actions (SoAs) and then divided into Activities. All management, support and advisory structures (Project Management - WP12, Technical Assistance - WP8, Monitoring and Assessment - WP10, Communication and Dissemination - WP11) are working on a regular base. The second reporting period was characterized as a whole by the effort to implement and consolidate the results of the Action Plans, also taking into account their Mid-Term internal review and assessment.
• Main milestones:
- MS1 - The project is fully operational since the initial planning phase is concluded with the approval of the Project Executive Design, the M&A Plan and the Project Communication
- MS2 – The International Scientific Advisory Committee (ISAC) is appointed
- MS3 - The Action Plans are approved by the partners
- MS4 - Mid-term internal review and assessment on the basis of the Interim reports of the Action Plans, monitoring reports and technical assistance activities

Objective 2 - Learning Process
Status: The work in WP8 and WP9 is ongoing. A state of the art concerning the analysis of the RRI models, the structural change within organizations, the approaches similar to RRI in non-European countries, the most relevant aspects of the organization of the biosciences sector is available. A specific approach for mutual learning, developed and discussed with all the Action Plan Teams has been implemented and periodically reviewed during the three Steering Committee Meetings (SCMs) held in the second reporting period.
• Main milestones: See above

Objective 3 - RRI model for biosciences
Status: The work is ongoing. It is based on activities of WP8 and WP9. The structure of the Model, and the related Guidelines, was elaborated and discussed with the partners, also involving the specific expertise of a member of the STARBIOS2 International Scientific Advisors Committee. A first draft of the model is almost complete.
• Main milestones: See above

Final results

The expected impacts can be articulated as follows:
a) Producing “tangible and measurable results in terms of organisational process and structures” and improving “the uptake of Responsible Research and Innovation in research organisations, as the Plans will continue to be implemented in the medium / long term”;
b) In the medium term, making institutional change “scalable to research institutions across EU 28 and Associated countries, thus contributing towards European Research Area (ERA) objectives”.
c) In the long term, increasing “research institutions\' ability to generate innovation that reflects societal needs”.

As for a), structural change is a complex process that has to be represented appropriately by using a variety of indicators. We are able, first, to list the impacts that the Action Plans will produce if the desired outputs are produced by the end of the project. We can also list some indicators that lead us to assume that those outputs consist of changes that are likely to last over the time:
- Recognition of the fact that pro-RRI changes occurred and/or are being introduced;
- Consensus towards the pro-RRI changes introduced by the Action Plans;
- The existence of pro-RRI normative changes;
- The existence of pro-RRI policies;
- The presence of groups (or outstanding individuals) oriented to implement RRI activities.
Therefore, the desired impacts are not only a set of events/facts whose occurrence will happen after the project, but also events/facts occurring during its life span, that will allow us think that these changes are durable. Considering the information contained in the individual Action Plan reports, these indicators are particularly effective in describing the changes that are taking place, which are producing significant impacts, to be extended and consolidated.

Impact b) will be reached thanks to results and products that could be used for making the Action Plans achievements scalable, through the production and dissemination of the Guidelines for the RRI implementation and the RRI Model for Bioscience. This impact is expected in the final phase of the project, and beyond.

As for c), STARBIOS 2 will contribute to the production of such impact due to the fact that orientation to RRI will be maintained beyond the conclusion of the Action Plans. Tha key is the definition and implementation of sustainability plans. Such plans will benefit, additionally, from an internal use of the two main project products, the Guidelines and the RRI Model for Bioscience. This impact is also expected in the final phase of the project, and beyond, even if the bases have been laid in the first two reporting periods.

Website & more info

More info: http://starbios2.eu/.