Abstract

The concept and practice of responsible research and innovation (RRI) are subjects of intense academic scrutiny (Timmermans, 2015). This high level of attention is at least partly due to the support of RRI by research funders such as the European Union, the UK Engineering and Science Research Council (EPSRC), the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and others. Much research is being undertaken to clarify conceptual underpinnings and to describe current and future practice. Despite these activities, it is currently not clear how theoretical accounts of RRI can be put into practice to achieve RRI’s promise to contribute to the social acceptability and desirability of R&I activities.