Sparks is a European project designed to awaken citizens’ interest in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) focusing on how technology shifts can affect our present and future healthcare. A creative exhibition touring in 29 countries combined with hands-on activities (science cafés and other participatory activities) will allow citizens but also other actors (from research institutes, to the industry, governments, etc.) to discover and experiment together a new way of doing research and innovation – with and for society.

Sparks will build on innovative formats and methodologies implemented throughout the project to deliver a toolkit for science museums and centres willing to engage the public(s) in RRI. The experience of the project will also be fused into policy recommendations supporting the implementation of RRI processes at the EU, national and local levels.

Objectives

• Raise awareness about the concept and practice of RRI;
• Encourage citizens and other key stakeholders to share the responsibility for science;
• Increase the capacity of local science actors and public authorities to stimulate RRI processes locally;
• Feed Research and Innovation (R&I) policies at the EU, national, regional and local levels to facilitate the development of RRI processes and enrich R&I in the field of health and medicine with societal inputs.

Background

Responsible research and innovation (RRI) is an approach encouraged by the Horizon 2020 framework programme of the European Commission, taking into account societal needs and expectations with regard to research and innovation, with the aim to foster the design of inclusive and sustainable scientific solutions.

RRI encourages researchers to share and discuss their plans and findings with different actors (citizens, civil society organisations, businesses) and to work with experts from other disciplines (ethicists, social scientists, arts and humanities scholars) in order to anticipate and reflect on the possible impacts of their research.

Participatory Activities

• 1 interactive touring exhibition travelling in 29 countries
• 230 innovative participatory activities especially adapted to engage the general public in RRI
• 4 short videos including artists’ views on the project
• 1 practical toolkit on formats and methodologies to engage citizens in RRI
• 1 policy document to promote the implementation of RRI at the EU, national and local level

Timeline/Dates

• Opening of the exhibition in June 2016 at the Science Museum London
• The exhibition will be showcased at Esplora from July 2017 to August 2017. Click here to download the Sparks Touring Schedule around Europe
• Final Conference in Brussels in May 2018

Beyond the Lab: the DIY Science Revolution

The Beyond the Lab Exhibition (to be showcased at Esplora in July and August 2017) tells the stories of a growing number of ‘DIY scientists’ around the world who are busily hacking, experimenting and inventing in the field of healthcare. These citizen scientists often work with professional researchers to gather and analyse scientific evidence helping to understand local environment and face public health challenges such as air pollution, antibiotic resistance or disease outbreaks.

The exhibition focuses on three areas of DIY science:
‘Citizen Science’
‘Health Hacking’
‘DIY Biology’

It also features three innovative works created by artists who position themselves at the border between art, science and technology. During a residency at the Ars Electronica Futurelab in Linz, Austria, they worked with curators and scientists to develop artworks proposing future visions of science and technology for individuals and the society.

For more information about the project itself, visit Sparks website (www.sparksproject.eu).
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