Impact oriented RI strategies and RI outreach to society

RIs contribute to key scientific and technology discoveries and can often have a considerable impact on other elements. The impact of research and RIs on industry, for example, needs to be better understood and further strengthened. However, the impact of RIs on non-economic societal aspects should not be overlooked. Social cohesion, inducing cultural changes, understanding social values and behaviouristic patterns, citizens’ well-being, contribution to environmental protection and improved health, among others are some examples where RIs can play an important role ¹¹ 11. The Committee of regions advises in its Communication the Member States work closely together with local and regional administrations to collect information on RIs and related issues including mapping of activities and outputs, in order to assess the impact of RIs for the regional, national and European economy.
https://cor.europa.eu/en/engage/studies/Documents/EPRS-Briefing-637939-ERA-Regional-cross-border-perspectives-FINAL.pdf. New methods need to be developed to evaluate these impacts, particularly in relation to global challenges.

These benefits of research and RIs should be the subject of comprehensive assessment and should be effectively communicated to citizens. Furthermore, to strengthen the trust in science, good practices should be exemplified and participatory approaches or continuous training linked with RIs should be fostered.