Participation in monitoring and evaluation for RRI: a review of procedural approaches developing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms

Abstract

Three arguments support the involvement of actors in the design and implementation of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). First, it strengthens the evaluation; second, it allows taking advantage of the performative function; third, it is aligned with the concept of RRI. In Europe, the trend to institutionalize RRI triggered an interest in developing specific M&E methods and tools, but how actors participate in these processes is still being determined. This paper investigates the extent to which the participation of actors occurs or is expected to occur by using the three stages of translation proposed by Callon and colleagues–problematization, development of the research, and transfer to a real setting. Through a systematic review of 25 approaches developing M&E mechanisms, our findings show that participation occurs or is foreseen mainly in the later stages and is specially linked with learning and trust-related purposes.