On January 23, 2025, the Pattern Remake Workshop brought together researchers, facilitators, and citizen scientists to explore emerging trends in Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (Open RRI). Held as a hybrid event, the workshop seamlessly connected participants across Europe, blending online collaboration with in-person engagement at the Polytechnico de Milano.

A Step Towards Transformative Research

Organized under the Pattern Project, a European initiative dedicated to promoting Open RRI, the workshop focused on equipping researchers with practical tools, transferable skills, and innovative methods to tackle societal challenges. Participants ranged from early-career researchers to seasoned experts, all sharing a common goal: to integrate Open Science principles into their work.

The workshop agenda addressed critical themes:

• The difference between Open Science and Open RRI, and why both are crucial.
• Tools and methods for FAIR data management and fostering citizen engagement in research.
• Sustainability research, focusing on circular economy and material lifecycle analysis.

Interactive and Engaging Activities

The workshop activities were designed to foster collaboration and creativity through the Miro platform, which facilitated group discussions and brainstorming sessions. Participants were divided into six groups, each guided by a facilitator, to engage in two key activities:

1. Activity 1: Group Formation and Role Assignment

• Step 1: Participants began by selecting a card from a Dixit-like board that best represented them, introducing themselves by sharing their background, talents, and motivations for attending the workshop. This icebreaker encouraged connection and a deeper understanding among group members.
• Step 2: Each group assigned specific roles: a time-keeper, moderator, scribe, and linker. These roles ensured smooth and efficient collaboration throughout the activities.

2. Activity 2: Identifying and Solving Challenges

Groups were invited to choose one contextual challenge from the board, such as:

• Engaging citizens in research and engineering projects.
• Privacy and FAIR data management.
• Creating sustainable research and production lifecycles.

They were tasked with analyzing challenges, identifying needs and methods, and selecting two main lines of action. Solutions were divided into short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategies, ensuring both immediate impact and sustained relevance.

3. Documenting and Sharing Projects

To finalize their efforts, participants registered their outcomes on the Learning Planet Institute’s (LPI) project platform, creating a detailed project document that outlined their findings and proposed actions. These projects provided tangible outputs for the workshop and created opportunities for future collaboration.

4. Final Group Discussion: Key Insights

The event concluded with a live discussion where both online and in-person teams shared their solutions. One of the most insightful discussions centered around engaging citizens in research and engineering projects.Participants highlighted several challenges and proposed solutions:

A. Challenges Identified:

• Difficulty in achieving a better understanding of the target group.
• Lack of knowledge about Open Science and RRI within the general public.
• Need for better two-way communication between researchers and society.

B. Identified Needs and Problems:

• Bridging the gap between the research community and society.
• Addressing the split between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and SHS (Social and Human Sciences).
• Scientists need to improve communication skills to reach broader audiences.

C. Methods and Tools Suggested:

• Use social media with clear messages to engage the public.
• Utilize memes and storytelling to make scientific concepts more relatable.
• Introduce more interdisciplinary programs to connect different fields of study.
• Link science with different generations to reach non-scientific communities.
• Make science fun by using engaging formats beyond traditional academic publishing.
• Shift from a publication-based approach to one that emphasizes accessible content.

D. Proposed Solutions:

• Promote content creation across different platforms to reach diverse audiences.
• Enhance the curriculum of engineering and science subjects to include communication training.
• Shift the approach to scientific dissemination, prioritizing accessibility and engagement over technical jargon.
• The discussions underscored the need for a paradigm shift in how research is shared and communicated, ensuring that scientific knowledge is accessible, engaging, and impactful for society at large.

Key Reflections and Outcomes

The Pattern Remake Workshop was a resounding success, as participants embraced hands-on exercises to produce actionable insights. Highlights included:

• Diverse Challenges and Solutions: Groups addressed a variety of contexts, resulting in creative, practical approaches to pressing research issues.
• Team Collaboration: The blend of online and in-person teams fostered cross-disciplinary collaboration, facilitated by the carefully structured activities and roles.
• Knowledge Sharing: Participants gained a deeper understanding of how to apply Open RRI principles, with discussions showcasing tools, methods, and best practices for engaging citizens, managing FAIR data, and creating sustainable research systems.

One of the facilitators reflected on her first experience with the Pattern project: "It was really engaging to see how participants addressed diverse challenges and shared innovative solutions. The collaboration between online and in-person teams was seamless, and the design-thinking exercises were a great success.”

A Platform for Future Collaboration

The success of this workshop underscores the potential of Open RRI to drive impactful research and innovation. Facilitators Andrea Sevilla (LPI Institute) Theodora Kavvadia (OpenAIRE) and APRE facilitators played a pivotal role in creating a dynamic environment that encouraged creativity and collaboration in this blended training event.

Participants will receive a follow-up recap, including access to the Miro board and their group’s contributions, to inspire ongoing exploration of Open Science principles.

Join the Movement

Workshops like this showcase the transformative potential of Open RRI. By fostering collaboration and equipping researchers with innovative tools, the PATTERN Project is paving the way for impactful research that bridges science and society.

By logging into Projects Platform, you can get the presentation material & exercise here.

*Recorded session uploaded in our YouTube channel here. For more insights and to stay updated on upcoming events, visit the Pattern Open Research website.