According to the European Commission:

“…Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is an approach which implies that societal actors (researchers, citizens, policy makers, business, third sector organisations, etc.) work together during the whole research and innovation process in order to better align both the process and its outcomes with the values, needs and expectations of society.

In addition to those, RRI seeks to promote institutional change, to foster the uptake of the RRI approach by stakeholders and institutions, thus ensuring good Science Governance.

Furthermore, RRI is an important, cross-cutting issue in Horizon 2020, which will be promoted throughout Horizon 2020 objectives. In many cases, inter- and transdisciplinary solutions will have to be developed, which cut across the multiple specific objectives of Horizon 2020. Within the specific objectives of programme, actions can focus on thematic elements of RRI, as well as on more integrated approaches to promote RRI uptake.

In practice, Responsible Research and Innovation is implemented as a package that includes multi-actor and public engagement in research and innovation, enabling easier access to scientific results, the take up of gender and ethics in the research and innovation content and process, and formal and informal science education...”

Source: https://goo.gl/GCTCJG