EFARRI Awards 2016
3DNovations recognised as a European finalist for Responsible Research and Innovation
In 2016, 3DNovations was selected as a finalist in the inaugural European Foundations Award for Responsible Research and Innovation, representing Hao2.eu and its work using inclusive three dimensional virtual environments.
The official EFARRI finalist list identifies 3DNovations, Hao2.eu, as one of 15 finalists from across Europe. The award was established to recognise research and innovation practices that successfully integrated Responsible Research and Innovation principles throughout their work.
Why 3DNovations was recognised
Responsible Research and Innovation, commonly referred to as RRI, considers not only what technology or research produces, but also who participates in its development, whose needs are considered and what wider effects the work has on society.
These principles were already central to the way 3DNovations technology was being developed.
The platform was created through Hao2.eu and Autus with extensive participation from autistic people, including autistic developers, employees, learners and service users. Rather than developing technology for autistic people and consulting them afterwards, the approach sought to involve intended users throughout research, design, testing and delivery.
Contemporary material published following the awards records that the European Foundations highlighted this involvement of beneficiaries at every stage, alongside the wider social objectives of improving access to skills, employment and services.
Combining inclusion and technology development
At the time of the award, 3DNovations was being used to create collaborative virtual environments in which people could learn, work and communicate through avatars.
The environments could be adapted around different users and situations, giving participants options over location, communication methods and the pace at which they engaged.
This was particularly relevant for autistic users who might experience barriers within conventional training, employment or public service environments.
The work also demonstrated that inclusive design and commercial technology development did not need to be separate objectives. Hao2.eu was using the experience and ideas of a neurodiverse team to develop products and services while simultaneously creating employment and skills opportunities.
Representing the UK in Brussels
The EFARRI event took place in Brussels in November 2016 and brought together researchers, civil society organisations, government representatives and other organisations working on Responsible Research and Innovation.
3DNovations attended as the UK finalist and presented its work alongside projects from universities, research institutions and other organisations across Europe. Its contemporary account records that it was also the only finalist representing industry.
Nicola Herbertson participated in the event’s plenary discussion, addressing the importance of involving citizens actively in research and innovation and the potential for RRI approaches to address social challenges.
Connecting the physical and virtual event
3DNovations also used the awards event to demonstrate the technology in practice.
While members of the team were physically present at the Sheraton Brussels Hotel, colleagues and participants were able to join through a virtual recreation of the event space.
A live video stream from the physical event was broadcast into the virtual environment, allowing people who were not in Brussels to participate remotely through avatars.
This provided a practical demonstration of the principle behind much of the company’s work: physical attendance should not necessarily determine whether someone can participate in an event, meeting, learning experience or collaborative activity.
During the event, we had people physically present at the award ceremony at the Sheraton Brussels Hotel, Salle des Nations, and more people in our virtual recreation of that event space, with a live webcam stream of the event broadcast into the virtual space.
Recognition of the approach
The significance of the EFARRI recognition was not simply that 3DNovations had developed a novel virtual environment.
It recognised the process used to develop and apply the technology.
Autistic people were involved in shaping technology intended for autistic users. Research and development were connected with practical delivery. The company worked with public, academic and third sector organisations, while evaluating how its technology affected real users.
Professor Steve Miller of University College London’s Department of Science and Technology Studies, which was involved in the UK Responsible Research and Innovation Hub, described the work at the time as demonstrating how responding to the needs of users and employees could create both greater inclusion and new business possibilities.
Continuing influence
The principles recognised by EFARRI subsequently became visible in several areas of 3DNovations research.
Later peer reviewed work documented the involvement of autistic people and people with disabilities in designing serious games and virtual environments, including applications for employment, transferable skills and communication training.
This work is explored further in our Participatory Design and ASD and VL4ASD case studies.
The 2016 EFARRI recognition therefore represents an important point in the development of 3DNovations: external European recognition that inclusive research, lived experience and technical development could be integrated within the same innovation process.
About EFARRI
The European Foundations Award for Responsible Research and Innovation was established by a group of European foundations including the King Baudouin Foundation, “la Caixa” Foundation, Fondazione Cariplo, Lundbeck Foundation and Robert Bosch Stiftung, together with the European Foundation Centre Research Forum.
Its purpose was to identify, recognise and share examples of research in which Responsible Research and Innovation principles had been meaningfully incorporated into practice.
Historical note
The 3DNovations platform recognised by EFARRI in 2016 was developed before the incorporation of the present 3DNovations Limited in Scotland. The technology, research methods and personnel involved form part of the research and development history of the present company.