How can we design and embed responsible research practices? Foresight, or the practice of looking ahead, is one way to envision potential future developments and changes. Together with public and stakeholder engagement, foresight can support work on potentially controversial issues. We have developed training resources that explain how foresight and engagement can help influence how research is conducted in accordance with the principles of responsible research and innovation.
Foresight and public engagement can prepare the ground for responsible research and innovation, engaging citizens and stakeholders in finding ways to design and embed responsible practices in research. Foresight can help cover both the short and long-term ethical and societal issues that may form roadblocks for research. Public engagement actively informs citizens and stakeholders on the potential within brain research and sheds light on potential ethical dilemmas and future societal benefits.
In the Human Brain Project, we organised and facilitated dialogues with the public, with a vision to engage European society in setting the direction for the Human Brain Project’s research and innovation, and broaden the debate on the ethical, legal and societal issues.
By looking forward, undertaking so-called ‘Foresight’ activities, we have also anticipated change and studied future possibilities. The scenarios we have developed serve as frameworks and stimuli for evaluating possible consequences of the Human Brain Project in society. By engaging stakeholders, we have developed a series of best practice recommendations for researchers and Human Brain Project managers.
This video is an introduction to the practice of Foresight and anticipation of social and ethical issues in brain science. The presenter, Lise Bitsch, PhD, is a senior project manager at the Danish Board of Technology and the Leader of the Responsible Research & Innovation Work Package of the Human Brain Project.
This video is an introduction to neuroethics and societal issues and covers how to anticipate and think about neuroethical issues in brain science. The presenter is Arleen Salles, Senior Researcher in philosophy at the Centre for Research Ethics and Bioethics at Uppsala University and the Deputy Leader of the Responsible Research and Innovation Work Package of the Human Brain Project.
This is one of the topics in a series of training modules explaining and reflecting on the concept of responsible research and innovation and how this approach can enable better science and innovation. The training covers human and animal data, gender, diversity and inclusion, researcher awareness and research integrity, dual use of concern and misuse ethics and RRI dimensions of knowledge transfer and commercialization, neuroethics, consciousness & AI ethics, and science communication. A module on public engagement and foresight is under development and will be available soon.
Want to know more about Responsible Research and Innovation in the Human Brain Project, more information can be found on the Ethics and Society webpage.