Collaboration, Fragmentation, Engagement, Responsible Research and Innovation Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) has recently gained recognition as a guiding principle for research to be more inclusive of societal needs. In response, the University of Malta led an internal qualitative study to assess attitudes and perceptions towards RRI. This approach paved the way for cultural and institutional changes that may not have developed otherwise. Academics, non-academic staff and students were interviewed alongside an online questionnaire totaling 29 face-to-face interviews and 226 survey responses. Thematic coding analysis revealed the core theme of fragmentation. Sub-themes stemming from fragmentation include challenges around collaboration, communication, politics, knowledge systems thinking and varied ideas of responsibility in research. While most respondents are in favor of RRI practice, several barriers affect an individual’s capacity to practice this approach, including lack of time and resources, and lack of recognition of public engagement (PE) efforts in the university’s current policies and governance structure. This research allowed for the development of a targeted Action Plan and set of initiatives to successfully begin implementing a culture of RRI best practice, including the establishment of the Committee for Engaged Research and fostering an internal network of individuals who are exemplary in RRI best practice. The thorough and targeted process has produced more significant and tangible results than moving directly into implementation, while also reducing the risk of future problems emerging from rushed initiatives. The authors conclude that such an approach is imperative for successful RRI implementation within institutions, especially when considering cultural/local context. Alashwal, A. and Hamzah, A.R. (2014). Developing a conceptual framework of fragmentation in construction. Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya.Aniekwe, C.C., Hayman, R. and Toner, A. (2012). Academic-NGO collaboration in international development research: A reflection on the issues.Böger, E., Carrier, M., Gartzlaff, M. and König, R. (2017). Survey Result Report. Deliverable 3.5. NUCLEUS project.Briguglio, M. and Bonello, S. (2018). No Man's Land: People, place and pollution. Kite Publishing: Malta.Cadogan, J. (2014). Curiosity-driven “blue sky” research: A threatened vital activity? The Learned Society of Wales.Courchamp, F., Dunne, J.A., Le Maho, Y., May, R.M., Thébaud, C. and Hochberg, M.E. (2015). Fundamental ecology is fundamental. Trends in ecology & evolution, 30(1), pp.9–16.Dentoni, D. and Bitzer, V. (2015). The role(s) of universities in dealing with global wicked problems through multi-stakeholder initiatives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 106, 68–78.Dierckx de Casterlé, B.D., Gastmans, C., Bryon, E. and Denier, Y. (2012). QUAGOL: A guide for qualitative data analysis. International journal of nursing studies, 49(3), pp.360–371.Dijkstra, A.J. and Hanmer, L.C. (2000). Measuring Socio-Economic GENDER Inequality: Toward an Alternative to the UNDP Gender-Related Development Index, Feminist Economics, 6(2), 41–75,Directorate-General for Communication European Commission (2012). Europeans and their languages. Special Eurobarometer, 386.European Commission (2014a). Responsible research and innovation: Europe’s ability to respond to societal challenges.European Commission (2014b). Rome Declaration on Responsible Research and Innovation in Europe.Euroscientist (2016). Inspiring findings to expand the RRI scene. Available at: https://www.euroscientist.com/ [Accessed 12 January 2020].Falzon, M.A. and Micallef, M. (2008). Sacred island or world empire? Locating far-right movements in and beyond Malta. Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 16(3), pp.393–406.Felt, U. (2017). “Response-able practices” or “new bureaucracies of virtue”: the challenges of making RRI work in academic environments. Responsible Innovation, 3, pp. 49–68.Fereday, J. and Muir-Cochrane, E. (2006). Demonstrating Rigor Using Thematic Analysis: A Hybrid Approach of Inductive and Deductive Coding and Theme Development. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 5(1).<span style='font-family:"Book...