A consortium of brain researchers was applying for a large Centre of Excellence grant from the Australian Government. Globally, brain research is progressing rapidly and is expected to have profound and disrupting impacts on society. Therefore, the consortium needed to demonstrate its capacity for effective societal engagement.

We developed the research engagement component of the grant application using a “Responsible Research and Innovation” framework. The application was successful. Rachel Nowak & Associates were then commissioned to implement the proposal for the ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function.

We developed a first-in-Australia capability to connect brain researchers with industry, and brain tech customers called The Brain Dialogue.

The Brain Dialogue was the only Australian organisation invited to the OECD workshop, “Neurotechnology and Society: Strengthening Responsible Innovation in Brain Science”, in Washington DC in 2016. The program was also commended by the Australian Research Council in its midterm review of the Centre.

The Brain Dialogue is also used as a model for how to run “Responsible Research and Innovation” programs for other potentially disruptive sciences.