Responsible Research and Innovation
Responsible Research & Innovation (RRI) is fundamentally about making better futures with research.
It asks researchers to be reflective, to imagine the futures that might be created with the research they undertake and consider who and what might be impacted by them and in what ways.
To do this well, researchers and research organisations need to engage with publics about these futures, particularly people who could be directly or indirectly affected.
The EngBio CDT RRI & Public Engagement (PE) supports researchers to undertake their research in more engaged, reflective, inclusive and sustainable ways
– The theory and practice of RRI and PE
– Inclusive Research
– Anticipation
– Environmental Sustainability & Nature
Sessions
Public Engagement
The EngBio CDT's RRI Team
Vivienne Kuh
Viv is the EngBio CDT’s Responsible Research and Innovation Lead and works with Mireia. Viv is based at the University of Bristol.
Viv’s research interests lie across creative, immersive and inclusive futures methodologies, joy, play and pluriversal ethics, and the ways in which they can support the realisation of more flourishing human and planetary futures (and presents) for all.
She currently provides training in Responsible Innovation to EPSRC funded PhD students in 8 Centres for Doctoral Training at University of Bristol. Rooted in EPSRC’s AREA framework for Responsible Innovation, this training equips students with the skills and understanding they need to explore Responsible Innovation in the context of their PhD process and beyond.
Mireia Bes Garcia
Together with Viv, Mireia is the EngBio CDT’s Responsible Research and Innovation Lead, based at the University of Bristol.
Mireia’s role is to provide advice and support to researchers wishing to get involved in public engagement, working with the Faculties of Health and Life Sciences.
Public Engagement Project 2025 – Welcome to the Futures of Engineering Biology
As with all new technologies, the implications of engineering biology need to be discussed with a broad range of people in society, particularly people who may be impacted by them. We need to decide together what kinds of futures with engineering biology we want.
In 2025, the CDT cohort worked with young people from Bristol Cathedral Choir School to imagine the possible futures of engineering biology. Together they explored what Bristol could look like in 20, 50, 100 years and how some applications from engineering biology could be part of our day-to-day life.
We worked with artist RTiiika to create printed artefacts from these imagined futures, which are featuring in an exhibition as part of FUTURES Festival of Discovery. Our cohort will be on hand to talk with visitors about the implications of engineering biology for the futures of Bristol and beyond and to find out what they think.
EPSRC & BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Biology (EngBio CDT)
University of Bristol
School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology
Tankard’s Close
Bristol, BS8 1TW
University of Oxford
Department of Engineering Science, Botnar Research Centre, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD
