On Wednesday, 16th July 2025 a variety of APRIL AI Hub members came together for Responsible Research and Innovation training run by ORBIT RRI. The full day workshop focused on understanding the importance of practicing responsible research and innovation through dynamic discussion and case studies.
This workshop was part of our Ethos Workshop Series, annual workshops on our key ethos points: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, Sustainability, Responsible Research, and Trusted Research. If you are interested in learning more about this workshop series, contact us at APRIL@ed.ac.uk.
Attendees said:
“The RRI Workshop provided an invaluable foundation for understanding how responsible research principles can be seamlessly integrated into our daily work at APRIL. What struck me most was the workshop's practical approach, rather than simply presenting theoretical concepts, we engaged with real-world case studies that demonstrated the tangible impact of RRI values on research outcomes.
The highlight was undoubtedly the collaborative group activity focusing on Bionic Eyes technology. This exercise brilliantly illustrated how the AREA 4P Framework can be applied to identify and address ethical considerations in emerging AI technologies.
I'm excited to apply these insights to my current projects in AI for electronic systems modelling, ensuring that our innovations contribute positively to society while maintaining the highest standards of research integrity."
Dr. Santhosh Sivasubramani, Research Fellow
“The Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Workshop by ORBIT offered invaluable insights into how to shape research that is ethical, sustainable, publicly accessible, and impactful. The sessions highlighted the importance of integrating RRI principles early in the research process. Understanding how to align projects with societal needs and expectations is crucial—not just for funding success, but for achieving meaningful outcomes.
I left the event with a clearer framework for ensuring my research is not only scientifically sound but also socially responsible and future oriented. I truly appreciated the practical approach taken during the workshop—it made the concepts come alive."
Dr. Cristian Sestito, Research Fellow
Workshops like this are essential for preparing researchers and academics to incorporate ethical and societal considerations in their work from its very foundation. Whether it be sustainability, societal impact, or the wider implications of advancements and discovery, these are all important factors that should be assessed at the first stages of a research project.
“Coming from an aerospace and UAV defence background, I found the RRI Workshop particularly valuable in challenging the assumptions often made in high-impact, high-tech industries. In sectors where innovation can outpace regulation or ethical reflection, RRI offers a vital framework for ensuring our work remains aligned with societal values and long-term responsibility.
The workshop helped me reflect on the importance of stakeholder engagement, not just in the development phase, but across the entire research and deployment lifecycle. I especially appreciated the emphasis on anticipation and reflexivity—both of which are essential when working in dual-use technology fields.
Applying these principles to AI-driven aerospace research could foster more ethically robust systems, especially in autonomous navigation and decision-making models. This is something I aim to carry forward in my future work, bridging advanced engineering with a strong sense of civic responsibility."
Mohannad Al-Najjar, Google DeepMind Research Ready Intern
“The RRI workshop on responsible AI was practical. We linked the core RRI ideas to Sustainable Development Goals and Technology Readiness Levels, then stress tested everything using a bionic eye case study. Our group built a 15 slide deck, each slide driven by a sharp question—impact, exclusions, risks, and how those shift as the tech moves up the TRL scale. Working at that pace forced me to flip viewpoints fast; I was spotting gaps and opportunities in minutes instead of days. That jump-started my ability to think differently about new projects, and to do it quickly. I am taking the same structure back into my own research so I can pressure test ideas without adding a ton of time."
Dr. Pratibha Verma, Research Associate
Look out for our future Ethos Workshop Series events on our Events page. Later this year we will be hosting a Trusted Research Workshop, and a follow up EDI Workshop!
