Conceptualizing playfulness for reflection processes in responsible research and innovation contexts: a narrative literature review

Playfulness supports people in learning. This study synthesizes a framework for playfulness for one particular type of learning: responsible research and innovation (RRI) reflection processes. Playfulness design elements were extracted from literature about playfulness in various learning and reflection contexts, by inductive coding of playfulness conceptualizations, playful tool(s) descriptions and their effects. We extracted four activity principles – narration, imagination, action-reflection and co-creation – and three playfulness process requirements – experimentation space, focus and stimulating guidance. Due to the utilized database search queries, important articles about RRI reflection processes are possibly overlooked. Also, overlaps between the design elements and gamification may exist. Last, their suitability for adults, offline and hybrid reflection processes require further investigation. We translate each playfulness design element into the context of RRI reflection processes and advise on how to use them in designing playful reflection processes, which can prove their anticipated fruitfulness. Nevertheless, due to the utilized database search queries, important articles about RRI reflection processes are possibly overlooked. Also, overlaps between the design elements and gamification may exist. Therefore, their suitability for adults, offline and hybrid reflection processes require further investigation.