// Dr Michelle Poland
Responsible Innovation
Empowering innovators to explore benefits
and unintended consequences
The fundamental principles of responsible research and innovation (RRI) are embedded in the fabric of the EMERGE RehabTech programme. We fully recognise the need to mitigate any negative consequences of EMERGE RehabTech innovations. This means reflecting and responding to uncertainties, assumptions, and wider implications of developing and deploying these technologies.
Our approach to embedding RRI
Projects we fund must address RRI from the outset, considering ethical, environmental, and societal consequences of new rehabtech being introduced to market. Our aim is to foster a culture that encourages peer-to-peer support and we will undertake a number of progamme-wide activities to embed RRI best practice.
Offer training
Work with RRI experts to deliver participatory workshops and training for our project teams, early career researchers, and the consortium to reflect, anticipate and act
Build case studies
Gather reflections from our projects that evaluate challenges and opportunities in responsible technology development. Examine how perspectives on RRI change and identify gaps still to be addressed
Seed projects
Centred on input from patients and clinicians, we will fund projects that capitalise on regional research and expertise to solve specific challenges
Design a toolkit
Review RRI practices specific to rehabilitation, reflecting on EMERGE RehabTech funded projects and activities from aligned initiatives. Create a domain-specific toolkit for rehabtech innovators
An equitable, diverse and inclusive programme
Instilling ED&I at the heart of EMERGE RehabTech will cultivate an innovation culture that draws widely on the breadth of UK talent, enhances the quality and relevance of rehabilitation technology solutions, and expands avenues for impact.
We have established a set of Core Values to underpin this approach to innovation, embedding openness, accessibility, equality of voice, and inclusivity.
Our ED&I priorities are organised across four Pillars of Action.
Foster an inclusive innovation culture
Pillar 1- Promote a culture where colleagues feel safe to share
- Challenge behaviours that marginalise or discriminate
- Monitoring workload to ensure fair distribution
- Recognise, acknowledge and appreciate contributions
Encourage team diversity
Pillar 2- Advocate team structures that give a voice to all members
- Widely champion our commitment to promoting diversity
- Listen and act to challenge problematic ways of working
- Use the programme to engage the next generation of innovators
- Encourage risk-taking to foster new relationships
EDI in design, development, and adoption
Pillar 3- Recognise stakeholders as members of innovation teams
- Promote transparency and communicate with end users
- Challenge innovators to consider outcome bias
- Reward participants fairly and equitably for their time
- Maintain relationships with stakeholders
Communicate our vision to the East Midlands
Pillar 4- Release engaging material to connect with stakeholders
- Identify realistic targets and share with our community
- Reflect objectively on EDI successes and failures