Concluding remarks

• Author: Tornasi, Zeno; Delaney, Niamh
• Pages: 29-29

29

CONCLUDING REMARKS

Since 2014, t he p rojects funded under ‘Science with and for Society’ contributed to its

primary aims set out in the EU Regulation establishing Horizon 2020, notably to

effectively build cooperation between science and society, recruit new talent for sci ence

and pair scientific excellence with social awareness and responsibility. 27

One of the key ways of working towards these three SwafS objectives, and ensuring

impact, is the implementation of institutional changes in beneficiaries. This is

demonstrated by the Key Performance Indicator for Swafs being ‘Percentage of research

organisations funded implementing actions to promote Responsible Research and

Innovation, and number of institutional change measures adopted a s a result’.28

The results of a sample of twelve RRI projects revealed that almost 250 individual

institutional change actions are implemented or in the process o f being implemented by

this part of the SwafS portfolio29.

The pioneers of institutional changes are Gender Equality projects dedicated to the

implementation of Gender Equality Plans (GEPs). Out of 168 institutions involved in GEP

projects, 130 institutions (78%) implemented or, are in the process of implementing a

GEP.

SwafS wi ll well and truly surpass its target of 100 institutional changes in beneficiaries

by the end of Horizon 2020.

SwafS stakeholders are in an excellent position to take a leading role in supporting other

entities, for example universities envisaging institutional transformation. As

Commissioner Gabriel’s portfolio encompasses innovation, research, culture, education

and youth, exploiting synergies between research and innovation and education i s

particularly pertinent.

Gender Equality, enshrined as one of the key priorities of the ERA with a clear

commitment from the von der Leyen Commission reinforces the growing importance

attached to the Gender Equality Plans (GEPs). GEPs h ave been a pioneering tool towards

institutional change and with Horizon Europe, the aim is to achieve sustainable impact

and a multiplier effect.

Networking is key to ensure that projects learn from each other and build on existing

know-how. DG Research and Innovati on and the REA organise thematic cluster events to

promote networking between projects and encourage sharing of best practices. Project

co-ordinators demonstrated strong willingness to work together.

International cooperation is one of the priorities of Commissioner Gabriel. SwafS

projects have embraced international cooperation and involve partners from around the

world.

Inclusiveness on al l levels underpins SwafS. We need science education for all, gender

equality in our organisations, ethi cs and integrity embedded in research, commu nication

we can trust, open science and ulti mately place citizens at the core to ensure excellent

Research and Innovation to tackle the challenges of today for a better future.

27 Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Counc il establishing Horizon 2020

28 Horizon 2020 indicators

29 This data collection exercise did not cover projects dedicated to gender equa lity, ethics, or open access/open data, which, to

various degrees, focus also on institutional changes.