The Open Science and the Responsible Research & Innovation (RRI) movements are closely linked: they share the fundamental values of openness, inclusion and democracy, as well as the common goal of making scientific results accessible at all levels to a society that is eager for knowledge. However, development is only moving forward at a halting pace. The EU-funded FIT4RRI project has investigated why this is the case. An interview with the project staff member Helene Brinken.