Final Report Summary - MARINETT (European marine research knowledge transfer and uptake of results)
Executive summary
The MARINETT project, a Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) support action (February 2010- July 2012) aimed to unlock marine research knowledge using innovative approaches to identify and collect knowledge outputs from European Union (EU)-funded research and subsequently carry out an analysis for impact potential. Where high potential knowledge outputs were identified, MARINETT piloted a knowledge transfer methodology consisting of three key steps:
(a) due diligence;
(b) transfer; and
(c) impact measurement.
The focus of the knowledge transfer was not necessarily to generate a financial return either to individuals, research groups or institutions, but to deliver the widest range of benefits to society from marine research being conducted at European level.
Major successes of the MARINETT project include:
- development of a new approach to identifying relevant knowledge from research by focusing on knowledge outputs;
- conceptualisation and successful piloting of a new methodology for collecting knowledge from research;
- identification of all marine research projects funded in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) and the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7);
- capture of 593 knowledge outputs from 148 marine research projects;
- implementation of a range of analysis techniques to validate and assess the potential of knowledge outputs generated in research projects;
- development of an online portal, the 'Marine knowledge gate 1.0';
- http://www.marinett.eu - a living web resource and repository for marine research knowledge identification and mapping of 24 major research project clusters;
- customising information and knowledge, rendering it ready for uptake by different target end users;
- conducting nine knowledge transfer pilot case studies;
- development of a system map showing the inter-relationships between different barriers that hinder the exploitation of innovation generated by research;
- sharing knowledge and collaboration with other knowledge transfer initiatives to increase the uptake of knowledge.
In addition, MARINETT, having gained a number of insights into how knowledge from European Commission (EC)-funded projects is managed, recorded several barriers preventing stakeholder access and uptake of relevant knowledge and innovation from research. These barriers were discussed at two dedicated MARINETT workshops:
- From marine research and technological development (RTD) to measurable value creation - An open stakeholder workshop to explore the challenges and solutions to effective knowledge capture and transfer (23 May 2012).
- How do we get more innovation from research? - Bringing together and Learning from pioneering initiatives and novel approaches (19 July 2012).
Participants were drawn from other research sectors that also dealt with different aspects of managing and transferring research knowledge. The MARINETT workshops brought these participants together so that their accumulated experiences could be explored. It was recognised that a lack of understanding on what knowledge transfer is, what it involves and how best to execute it, are the main barriers to transfer, which in turn, affects innovation. In response to this need for a coherent strategy for effective knowledge transfer, MARINETT intends to develop a non-contractual deliverable:
Best practice guidelines for knowledge management and transfer
The knowledge management approach developed by the MARINETT project is having a positive impact within the knowledge management and transfer arena and continues to draw attention from within the research community. The legacy of MARINETT includes the deliverables and methodologies developed by the partnership and the insights it has acquired. It is anticipated that MARINETT will be used to inform and direct future strategies that seek to ensure measurable value creation from EC-funded research is achieved.
Project context and objectives:
Context
EC has provided significant investment in marine research and development in the last twelve years across FP6 and FP7. The latest figures estimate that more than EUR 1.98 billion was allocated to almost 985 marine projects (863 million for 471 FP6 projects and 1123 million for 514 FP7 projects; Source: EurOcean). A strong scientific knowledge base has traditionally been one of Europe's key assets and has enabled Europe to achieve world-class status in several research fields. Generating new knowledge and turning it into new products and services is crucial to maintaining and enhancing Europe's competitiveness. Knowledge is a major source of competitive advantage in business and, if skilfully exploited, research outcomes can help drive Europe's knowledge economy and boost innovation. At present, Europe seems to be better at producing high-level knowledge than converting it into socio-economic benefits (EUR 22 836 - Improving knowledge transfer between research institutions and industry across Europe: embracing open innovation). Knowledge transfer involves capturing knowledge, skills and competences from those who generate and possess them, and transmitting this collective wealth of knowledge to those who will derive benefit from it. Effective knowledge transfer constitutes a key mechanism of the European Research Area (ERA) and can ensure that publicly-funded research exerts a powerful impact on EU competitiveness. The EC insists on improved systems and methodologies for knowledge generation, capture and transfer within FP7 and its upcoming successor programme HORIZON 2020.
The Europe 2020 flagship initiative 'Innovation union' (COM (2010) 546 final) states the need for the EU and its Member States to adopt a much more strategic approach to innovation and has identified the importance of improving knowledge transfer between public research institutions and third parties, including industry and civil society organisations. According to the Innovation union document, 'We need to get more innovation out of our research'. Cooperation between the worlds of science and the world of business must be enhanced, obstacles removed and incentives put in place'.
The ultimate goal of knowledge transfer is the exploitation of innovatory research results in order to impact in a beneficial way upon its chosen field or environment. Knowledge transfer however covers a much broader range of activities than commercialisation per se and these activities must be put in place and utilised to deliver benefit and impact. Although it can be argued that all excellent research does have impact sooner or later, in certain cases knowledge transfer is unlikely to generate income. Nevertheless, knowledge transfer constitutes a vital part of the processes which deliver benefit through other less tangible means, for example, influence on policy or development of education, scientific advancement, public good, public understanding of science, and much more besides. The MARINETT project was developed to respond to the lack of a coherent strategy of knowledge management and transfer, with a view to achieving optimal exploitation and enhancing the impact of EC-funded marine research and to deliver the widest range of benefits to society from the marine research being conducted at European level.
MARINETT objectives
The aim of knowledge management, as stated above, is to capture, organise and make knowledge widely available. Knowledge can be explicit (i.e. in recorded form - patented or published) or tacit (not formally documented or verbalised, generally derived from experiences of an individual) and may not be easily accessible for transfer. The MARINETT project aimed to unlock some of this knowledge potential using an innovative approach to address the issue of information and data rescue, widely recognised as one of the barriers to knowledge transfer.
One of the central aims of MARINETT was to improve access to EU research results for industry, multipliers, the civil society and policy-makers. MARINETT has developed a knowledge management and transfer methodology that can be used to detect and compile usable knowledge from past and in-progress EC research projects and transform it in order to increase available opportunities for its use and exploitation. Access to knowledge, analysis of the knowledge and transfer of the knowledge to the correct end user will undoubtedly make a major contribution to value creation and innovation.
The aims of MARINETT can be summarised as follows:
- to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the knowledge generated from marine projects by reviewing the research outcomes with a view to identifying what knowledge can be transferred for exploitation;
- to unlock the potential of knowledge by developing and trialling an innovative analysis mechanism to identify research activities that have the most potential to generate benefit for society;
- to connect and transfer knowledge to key stakeholders, customising communication methods to end-user needs and making best use of cost-effective and innovative channels for communication.
MARINETT devoted considerable efforts to strengthen knowledge identification, monitoring, and analysis systems and capacities so that research outcomes, in the form of exploitable results, could be effectively transferred to end users. A number of other objectives were achieved using this strategy, including:
- improving the quality of the existing EurOcean internet portal through the addition of collected knowledge outputs resulting in the Marine knowledge gate 1.0;
- validation of the MARINETT knowledge management methodology through impartial assessment of knowledge potential and extensive consultation with stakeholders, i.e. RTD performers and potential end users;
- clustering of knowledge from related fields;
- analysis of the potential impact of transferring knowledge;
- measuring the impact of transferred knowledge.
In order to achieve its stated objectives, MARINETT was organised into six work packages (WPs):
WP1 - Project management and internal communication
WP1 dealt with planning, organising and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of project goals and objectives. WP1 supported the other work packages for the duration of the project. It aimed to facilitate communication (e.g. written, verbal, interpersonal and virtual) within the consortium to ensure that concerns were addressed, to establish formal roles and responsibilities and to provide clarity. The specific objectives of WP1 were to:
- plan, organise and manage resources to bring about the successful completion of project goals and objectives;
- facilitate all communication (e.g. written, verbal, interpersonal, virtual) within the consortium to ensure that concerns are addressed, to establish formal roles and responsibilities, and to provide clarity.
WP2 - Knowledge collection
WP2 was responsible for upgrading the existing EurOcean infobase of European marine research-funded projects (please see http://www.mapinfobase.eurocean.org/ online) and increasing the content, both in terms of the number of projects profiled and to provide more relevant information per project. The profiles were updated to include new fields, such as stated aims and objectives versus actual outputs, research performers, research outcomes, research methodologies, products, and other relevant information. The specific objectives of WP2 were to:
- collect and manage information from one or more sources;
- make that information accessible to end users;
- involve those who have a stake in, or a right to the information;
- organise and control the structure, processing and delivery of information.
WP3 - Knowledge analysis
MARINETT introduced an innovative model of knowledge evaluation to select the most valuable knowledge for pilot case studies. The analysis was carried out both internally by project partners and externally using experts with different perspectives from industry, policy and research. The specific objectives of WP3 were to:
- refine and trial a knowledge analysis matrix;
- measure knowledge in terms of a cost-benefit analysis.
WP4 - Consultation with RTD performers and stakeholders
Activities in WP4 related to planning consultation workshops across areas of marine environment research. Each workshop was a one-day event and RTD coordinators, policy makers and other stakeholders were invited to participate in order to develop a recommended plan of action covering:
(i) future RTD requirements;
(ii) current knowledge transfer requirements; and
(iii) other challenges to the sector such as challenges in governance, business structure, coordination.
The specific objectives of WP4 were to:
- gain a better appreciation for the knowledge already generated from European marine research projects funded under FP6 and underway in FP7;
- identify needs in terms of research, knowledge transfer and policy;
- confirm and / or refine the knowledge analysis.
List of websites:
MARINETT public website: http://www.marinett.eu
MARINETT coordinator: David Murphy, AquaTT (david@aquatt.ie)
AquaTT website: http://www.aquatt.ie
EurOcean website: http://www.eurocean.org
Marine knowledge gate: http://www.kg.eurocean.org
The MARINETT project, a Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) support action (February 2010- July 2012) aimed to unlock marine research knowledge using innovative approaches to identify and collect knowledge outputs from European Union (EU)-funded research and subsequently carry out an analysis for impact potential. Where high potential knowledge outputs were identified, MARINETT piloted a knowledge transfer methodology consisting of three key steps:
(a) due diligence;
(b) transfer; and
(c) impact measurement.
The focus of the knowledge transfer was not necessarily to generate a financial return either to individuals, research groups or institutions, but to deliver the widest range of benefits to society from marine research being conducted at European level.
Major successes of the MARINETT project include:
- development of a new approach to identifying relevant knowledge from research by focusing on knowledge outputs;
- conceptualisation and successful piloting of a new methodology for collecting knowledge from research;
- identification of all marine research projects funded in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) and the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7);
- capture of 593 knowledge outputs from 148 marine research projects;
- implementation of a range of analysis techniques to validate and assess the potential of knowledge outputs generated in research projects;
- development of an online portal, the 'Marine knowledge gate 1.0';
- http://www.marinett.eu - a living web resource and repository for marine research knowledge identification and mapping of 24 major research project clusters;
- customising information and knowledge, rendering it ready for uptake by different target end users;
- conducting nine knowledge transfer pilot case studies;
- development of a system map showing the inter-relationships between different barriers that hinder the exploitation of innovation generated by research;
- sharing knowledge and collaboration with other knowledge transfer initiatives to increase the uptake of knowledge.
In addition, MARINETT, having gained a number of insights into how knowledge from European Commission (EC)-funded projects is managed, recorded several barriers preventing stakeholder access and uptake of relevant knowledge and innovation from research. These barriers were discussed at two dedicated MARINETT workshops:
- From marine research and technological development (RTD) to measurable value creation - An open stakeholder workshop to explore the challenges and solutions to effective knowledge capture and transfer (23 May 2012).
- How do we get more innovation from research? - Bringing together and Learning from pioneering initiatives and novel approaches (19 July 2012).
Participants were drawn from other research sectors that also dealt with different aspects of managing and transferring research knowledge. The MARINETT workshops brought these participants together so that their accumulated experiences could be explored. It was recognised that a lack of understanding on what knowledge transfer is, what it involves and how best to execute it, are the main barriers to transfer, which in turn, affects innovation. In response to this need for a coherent strategy for effective knowledge transfer, MARINETT intends to develop a non-contractual deliverable:
Best practice guidelines for knowledge management and transfer
The knowledge management approach developed by the MARINETT project is having a positive impact within the knowledge management and transfer arena and continues to draw attention from within the research community. The legacy of MARINETT includes the deliverables and methodologies developed by the partnership and the insights it has acquired. It is anticipated that MARINETT will be used to inform and direct future strategies that seek to ensure measurable value creation from EC-funded research is achieved.
Project context and objectives:
Context
EC has provided significant investment in marine research and development in the last twelve years across FP6 and FP7. The latest figures estimate that more than EUR 1.98 billion was allocated to almost 985 marine projects (863 million for 471 FP6 projects and 1123 million for 514 FP7 projects; Source: EurOcean). A strong scientific knowledge base has traditionally been one of Europe's key assets and has enabled Europe to achieve world-class status in several research fields. Generating new knowledge and turning it into new products and services is crucial to maintaining and enhancing Europe's competitiveness. Knowledge is a major source of competitive advantage in business and, if skilfully exploited, research outcomes can help drive Europe's knowledge economy and boost innovation. At present, Europe seems to be better at producing high-level knowledge than converting it into socio-economic benefits (EUR 22 836 - Improving knowledge transfer between research institutions and industry across Europe: embracing open innovation). Knowledge transfer involves capturing knowledge, skills and competences from those who generate and possess them, and transmitting this collective wealth of knowledge to those who will derive benefit from it. Effective knowledge transfer constitutes a key mechanism of the European Research Area (ERA) and can ensure that publicly-funded research exerts a powerful impact on EU competitiveness. The EC insists on improved systems and methodologies for knowledge generation, capture and transfer within FP7 and its upcoming successor programme HORIZON 2020.
The Europe 2020 flagship initiative 'Innovation union' (COM (2010) 546 final) states the need for the EU and its Member States to adopt a much more strategic approach to innovation and has identified the importance of improving knowledge transfer between public research institutions and third parties, including industry and civil society organisations. According to the Innovation union document, 'We need to get more innovation out of our research'. Cooperation between the worlds of science and the world of business must be enhanced, obstacles removed and incentives put in place'.
The ultimate goal of knowledge transfer is the exploitation of innovatory research results in order to impact in a beneficial way upon its chosen field or environment. Knowledge transfer however covers a much broader range of activities than commercialisation per se and these activities must be put in place and utilised to deliver benefit and impact. Although it can be argued that all excellent research does have impact sooner or later, in certain cases knowledge transfer is unlikely to generate income. Nevertheless, knowledge transfer constitutes a vital part of the processes which deliver benefit through other less tangible means, for example, influence on policy or development of education, scientific advancement, public good, public understanding of science, and much more besides. The MARINETT project was developed to respond to the lack of a coherent strategy of knowledge management and transfer, with a view to achieving optimal exploitation and enhancing the impact of EC-funded marine research and to deliver the widest range of benefits to society from the marine research being conducted at European level.
MARINETT objectives
The aim of knowledge management, as stated above, is to capture, organise and make knowledge widely available. Knowledge can be explicit (i.e. in recorded form - patented or published) or tacit (not formally documented or verbalised, generally derived from experiences of an individual) and may not be easily accessible for transfer. The MARINETT project aimed to unlock some of this knowledge potential using an innovative approach to address the issue of information and data rescue, widely recognised as one of the barriers to knowledge transfer.
One of the central aims of MARINETT was to improve access to EU research results for industry, multipliers, the civil society and policy-makers. MARINETT has developed a knowledge management and transfer methodology that can be used to detect and compile usable knowledge from past and in-progress EC research projects and transform it in order to increase available opportunities for its use and exploitation. Access to knowledge, analysis of the knowledge and transfer of the knowledge to the correct end user will undoubtedly make a major contribution to value creation and innovation.
The aims of MARINETT can be summarised as follows:
- to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the knowledge generated from marine projects by reviewing the research outcomes with a view to identifying what knowledge can be transferred for exploitation;
- to unlock the potential of knowledge by developing and trialling an innovative analysis mechanism to identify research activities that have the most potential to generate benefit for society;
- to connect and transfer knowledge to key stakeholders, customising communication methods to end-user needs and making best use of cost-effective and innovative channels for communication.
MARINETT devoted considerable efforts to strengthen knowledge identification, monitoring, and analysis systems and capacities so that research outcomes, in the form of exploitable results, could be effectively transferred to end users. A number of other objectives were achieved using this strategy, including:
- improving the quality of the existing EurOcean internet portal through the addition of collected knowledge outputs resulting in the Marine knowledge gate 1.0;
- validation of the MARINETT knowledge management methodology through impartial assessment of knowledge potential and extensive consultation with stakeholders, i.e. RTD performers and potential end users;
- clustering of knowledge from related fields;
- analysis of the potential impact of transferring knowledge;
- measuring the impact of transferred knowledge.
In order to achieve its stated objectives, MARINETT was organised into six work packages (WPs):
WP1 - Project management and internal communication
WP1 dealt with planning, organising and managing resources to bring about the successful completion of project goals and objectives. WP1 supported the other work packages for the duration of the project. It aimed to facilitate communication (e.g. written, verbal, interpersonal and virtual) within the consortium to ensure that concerns were addressed, to establish formal roles and responsibilities and to provide clarity. The specific objectives of WP1 were to:
- plan, organise and manage resources to bring about the successful completion of project goals and objectives;
- facilitate all communication (e.g. written, verbal, interpersonal, virtual) within the consortium to ensure that concerns are addressed, to establish formal roles and responsibilities, and to provide clarity.
WP2 - Knowledge collection
WP2 was responsible for upgrading the existing EurOcean infobase of European marine research-funded projects (please see http://www.mapinfobase.eurocean.org/ online) and increasing the content, both in terms of the number of projects profiled and to provide more relevant information per project. The profiles were updated to include new fields, such as stated aims and objectives versus actual outputs, research performers, research outcomes, research methodologies, products, and other relevant information. The specific objectives of WP2 were to:
- collect and manage information from one or more sources;
- make that information accessible to end users;
- involve those who have a stake in, or a right to the information;
- organise and control the structure, processing and delivery of information.
WP3 - Knowledge analysis
MARINETT introduced an innovative model of knowledge evaluation to select the most valuable knowledge for pilot case studies. The analysis was carried out both internally by project partners and externally using experts with different perspectives from industry, policy and research. The specific objectives of WP3 were to:
- refine and trial a knowledge analysis matrix;
- measure knowledge in terms of a cost-benefit analysis.
WP4 - Consultation with RTD performers and stakeholders
Activities in WP4 related to planning consultation workshops across areas of marine environment research. Each workshop was a one-day event and RTD coordinators, policy makers and other stakeholders were invited to participate in order to develop a recommended plan of action covering:
(i) future RTD requirements;
(ii) current knowledge transfer requirements; and
(iii) other challenges to the sector such as challenges in governance, business structure, coordination.
The specific objectives of WP4 were to:
- gain a better appreciation for the knowledge already generated from European marine research projects funded under FP6 and underway in FP7;
- identify needs in terms of research, knowledge transfer and policy;
- confirm and / or refine the knowledge analysis.
List of websites:
MARINETT public website: http://www.marinett.eu
MARINETT coordinator: David Murphy, AquaTT (david@aquatt.ie)
AquaTT website: http://www.aquatt.ie
EurOcean website: http://www.eurocean.org
Marine knowledge gate: http://www.kg.eurocean.org