Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is a bridge between science and society that aims to increase the public value of science. The concept has begun to move beyond the academic literature to become an integrated requirement of Centres for Doctoral Training and Synthetic Biology Centres funded by EPSRC and BBSRC. As RRI has become exposed to a broader range of actors, so the potential for different interpretations of the concept increases.

This seminar investigates how RRI is being interpreted within one research-intensive Russell Group university, and the opportunities and challenges for governance. Using documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews, we identify six key narratives that express actors’ perceptions of RRI’s purpose and value. We present a conceptual framework based upon these narratives, and argue that future moves to broaden or narrow RRI’s definition will likely result in material effects on actors’ support for the agenda within the University.