The course provides room for investigating, reflecting, and discussing societal implications and possible impacts of research and innovation processes. As reference points for this deliberation, different concepts of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) will be used.
Students will discuss a research or innovation case example (“What are ‘responsible’ research and innovation?”) before turning to their own master’s theses. Together with their colleagues, each student will identify and discuss RRI aspects of their thesis (“Present your thesis”) and then individually further explore on them (“Investigate your thesis”). They will present and discuss their findings, and reflect how they could practically deal with them (“Enhance your thesis”).
EHEA: Second cycle
EQF level: 7
2.0 ECTS credits (workload of 50 to 60 hours)
Year of study
Second year of master’s studies.
On completion of this course students will be able to:
- apply concepts of RRI to discuss research and innovation (R&I) processes and their outputs;
- assess possible societal implications and impacts of concrete research activities;
- acknowledge and react constructively to suggestions from their peers regarding their own research work;
- and to propose adaptations to better align a research project with societal needs, values, and expectations.
The following activities and outputs of the students will be assessed:
- Active and constructive participation in discussions.
- Lightning talk on master’s thesis.
- Presentation of the results of their desk research.
- Written final report on their findings regarding the RRI aspects of their thesis.
Students should already have a topic/research question for and at least a preliminary design of their master’s thesis research.
This course combines different modes of delivery. In class, students will participate in problem-based learning (PBL) activities, deliver prepared presentations, and actively participate in discussions. A short input lecture on RRI will be given by the course instructor. A significant part of the course consists of independent work of the students (desk research, preparation of presentations, and a final report).
At the beginning of the course, the course instructor will give a presentation of different concepts of RRI. Later on, the instructor mainly serves as moderator of discussions and supporter for the students in their independent inquiry.
Students will have to:
- analyse a R&I case example in a group exercise;
- present their master’s theses in a lightning talk;
- actively participate in discussions on RRI aspects of the theses of others;
- do desk research on the wider implications of their research project;
- and give an oral presentation and write a final report on their findings.