Cardographer

In the AREA-4Ps framework the first key activity is to Anticipate the possible outcomes and implications of the work. By considering possible futures we can direct our efforts in the present more carefully and effectively. It is important to consider possible risks, unintended consequences or mis-uses of the work, as well as its intended benefits. All of the cards in this deck can be used to support anticipation, for example through the prompts or questions on each card. While anticipation and reflection are closely related, in this deck the Anticipate cards are broad and forward-looking.
Should this work be undertaken? What benefits will it bring? Who will benefit? On what timescale? How can we measure its impact?
How sustainable are the products and the process? How will they affect animals and plants? How long will products or outcomes be useful for? How will this affect communities?
Considering the outcomes of the work, who would be directly affected, for better or worse? Who could be indirectly affected? Who could be left out or excluded?
What risks might participants, team members or other stakeholders be exposed to? What other risks are there? Have these risks been assessed and mitigated? Are required approvals in place?
In the AREA-4Ps framework the second key activity is to pause and Reflect on the work, including our own involvement and motivations. A critical interrogation of the work can identify problems and opportunities, allowing us to learn, and avoid wasting time and resources. Ideally this would be done throughout the project. All of the cards in this deck can be used to support reflection, for example through the prompts or questions on each card. In this deck the Reflect cards bring a more reflexive emphasis to the corresponding Anticipate cards.
Are there groups or organisations opposed to the work? Are there reasons NOT to do it? What legislation and regulation apply? What will happen if the work is unsuccessful?
How could the work be used or mis-used? What negative consequences might it have? What might happen if it goes wrong?
How inclusive are our practices? How diverse is the team? How representative are participants and stakeholders? Are the process and the outputs both accessible? Is anyone excluded?
What assumptions do we bring to the work? Does everyone in the project understand RI? How and when do we make time to reflect? How do we measure or monitor the work?
In the AREA-4Ps framework the third key activity is to Engage with a diverse range of stakeholders. Engaging with other stakeholders – of all kinds – helps to challenge the assumptions that we hold and gives a more complete understanding of the work and its context. Engagement is something that can help at all stages of a project, including conception. In this deck the Engage cards highlight key forms of engagement. There are also two Instructions cards which list some “Example Stakeholders” to consider.
Is the work known to the general public and other groups? Is it easy to get involved in discussions? Are the aims of the work acceptable (and to whom)? Are diverse voices heard?
How can stakeholders influence the product or outputs? Are a wide range of stakeholders considered? When and at what stage? Does this include people with relevant lived experience?
Are any groups of stakeholders under-represented, overlooked or excluded? How can they be included and supported? Can anyone else represent them?
Can stakeholders have more substantial involvement in the work? Can they shape the goals or how the work is done? How is stakeholder involvement supported and acknowledged?
In the AREA-4Ps framework the fourth key activity is to Act, that is to use the insights gained from anticipation, reflection and engagement in order to make a difference in the work being done. This closes the loop of responsible innovation: ultimately, responsibility can only be discharged through action. Within the deck, every card includes a number of example actions. These lists are not exhaustive, and there are many other resources and practices available to support responsible innovation. In this deck the Act cards look beyond the current project.
How can we shape a better future for everyone? How can we reduce inequalities? What can we contribute to regulation & legislation?
How can others build on the work done? Is support available for this? Is all relevant information disclosed? Are publications and reports widely available? Is data appropriately archived? Are outcomes publicised?
What training and support do team members need? How do we help participants and partners to grow and develop? How do we support formal and informal education?
What actions can we take throughout this project to improve ourselves, the work and our organisation? What can we learn from this and previous projects? How can we support RI more effectively?
Responsible Innovation (RI) means doing research and innovation in a way that anticipates how it may affect people and the environment in the future – including unintended consequences – and acting in the present to gain the most benefit, minimise risks and avoid harm. Definitions of RI highlight a range of concerns for researchers and innovators to consider. These cards [1] are inspired by the AREA-4Ps framework, which highlights four key activities involved in "doing" RI (forming the acrostic “AREA”): Anticipate, Reflect, Engage and Act. These are explained on the corresponding cards. The framework also highlights four key areas for consideration (“4 Ps”): the Purpose of the work, its Product or outcomes, the People involved or affected and the Process of research and innovation. There is one card for each combination of area and activity. [1] https://doi.org/10.1145/3597512.3599721
The coloured cards highlight 4 key activities and 16 different aspects of Responsible Innovation (RI). On the 16 aspect cards, the top half of the card has initial prompts for discussion or reflection. The bottom half gives example actions that might be helpful to put into practice. You can use the cards to reflect on a project and plan RI activities accordingly. You can use the cards to facilitate a discussion about priorities for RI in a research or application area. Or do something completely different… The three white “Exercise” cards suggest specific ways of using the cards. “Exercise 1: Introducing the Cards” is a good place to start if you are new to the cards. There are also two lists of “Example Stakeholders” to consider. You can use the cards on your own; but the conversations that you have around the cards can be more useful than the cards themselves. So we suggest you use the cards with other people if you can!
This exercise introduces the cards. It can be done in 10 minutes if you are in a hurry. 1: Set aside the black Can you agree? and white Instructions cards. 2: If you have at least 15 minutes then lay out the remaining (coloured) cards in a grid reflecting the AREA-4Ps framework, i.e. Anticipate, Reflect, Engage, Act in one direction (e.g. as rows) and Purpose, Product, People and Process plus the relevant activity card in the other direction (e.g. as columns). Alternatively, simply shuffle the remaining (coloured) cards. 3: Take it in turns to choose a card from the deck or the grid. 4: Discuss (or reflect on) your understandings of the card. 5: Discuss (or reflect on) the relevance of that card to your work. If you think that it has no relevance then pause for a moment and consider whether it would be relevant to someone else, or at another stage in the work.
This exercise helps to identify possible responsible innovation issues in a new project. You should allow at least an hour if possible. You may find it useful to take notes, e.g. on a whiteboard, flipchart or using sticky notes. 1: Find the Anticipate “Intention” card and briefly discuss the questions on it, i.e. why are you doing the work? 2: Find the Anticipate “People Affected” card and both “Example Stakeholders” cards, and identify who might be affected by the work and how. 3: Find the Engage “Stakeholder Input”, “Stakeholder Involvement” and “Public Dialogue” cards and decide who, how and when you could involve people from outside the project team. 4: Find the Reflect “Unintended Consequences” and “Potential Conflicts” and Anticipate “Sustainability” and “Project Risks” cards and identify any specific responsibility challenges for your work. 5: Combine your discussions and reflections to create an initial RI Action Plan to tackle the challenges identified.
This exercise helps to identify priorities and plans for responsible innovation in a specific project. It is best done with other members of the project team, and perhaps a “critical friend”. It is likely to take around an hour, and can be repeated at different points within the project. 1: Lay out the five black Can you agree? cards face-up. 2: Set aside the white Instructions cards and briefly familiarise yourself with the remaining (coloured) cards, for example laying them out in a grid reflecting the AREA-4Ps framework (see “Exercise 1”). 3: Work through the (coloured) aspect cards as a project team, placing each one next to the most appropriate Can you agree? card. 4: Starting with the example actions on the cards next to “Quick wins” and “Most relevant… and we need to agree some actions”, discuss and agree what to do next.
These are just some examples; try to think broadly... Beneficiaries (directly affected) • An intended beneficiary. • A person with a health condition, impairment or learning difference. • A person with little or no access to money or technology. • A member of a minority or under-represented group. Supporters (directly and indirectly affected) • The family and friends of an intended beneficiary. • An employee who has to make it work. • The person or organisation paying for it. Onlookers (responding) • An “ordinary” member of the general public. • A reporter for a popular news channel. • A government policy advisor or decision-maker.
These are just some examples; try to think broadly... Bystanders (indirectly or unintentionally affected) • An innocent bystander. • A person who has lost their job because of it. • Someone who is alive in 20 years time. • A person living in vulnerable conditions. • The natural environment (including animals and plants). Exploiters (affecting others) • Another researcher or technologist in the near-future. • A large company that wants to make money from it. • An armament or defence company. • The police or national security organisation. • A tech-savvy criminal. • An enemy state or terrorist. Other (add your own...)
These cards have been developed by the Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute at the University of Nottingham in collaboration with the Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub, supported by UKRI [grants EP/T022493/1 and EP/V00784X/1]. They are based on the AREA-4Ps Framework for Responsible Research and Innovation in ICT [1], with refinements, additional questions and possible actions as described in [2]. RI Prompts and Practice Cards by the University of Nottingham (2023) are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Search: “RI Prompts and Practice Cards” [1] https://doi.org/10.1145/3064940 [2] https://doi.org/10.1145/3597512.3599721