Knowledge Transfer Network proposed in response to the SESAR-ER3-01-2016 Call

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Engage (Knowledge Transfer Network proposed in response to the SESAR-ER3-01-2016 Call)

Reporting period: 2018-01-01 to 2018-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Engage is the SESAR Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN). Engage is managed by a consortium of academia and industry, in support to the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU), to promote and facilitate the development of air traffic management research in Europe. The focus is two-fold: inspiring new researchers and helping to align exploratory and industrial research, through a wide range of activities and financial support actions.

Engage is coordinated by the University of Westminster, with the Innaxis Research Institute, University of Trieste, University of Belgrade – Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Frequentis, EUROCONTROL and the European Aviation Safety Agency as consortium members.

The objectives of Engage are to:
* Manage the SESAR Knowledge Transfer Network towards a scientific, technical and dissemination success all while maintaining the highest level of quality within guidelines approved by the European Commission (EC) and the SJU.
* Manage the network’s communication related activities, including on-line (e.g. website and social media) and organising workshops whilst supporting SJU initiatives such as the organisation of the SIDs and coordination with the SESAR Scientific Committee.
* Build an inspiring and user-friendly ATM observatory (wiki) to monitor, identify and analyse relevant new opportunities for innovative ATM research, with a repository to host tools, reports and publications and a roadmap of innovative and interdisciplinary ATM concepts beyond SESAR 2020.
* Stimulate the transfer of exploratory research results towards ATM application-oriented research by identifying the maturity of research results and facilitating the link with higher-maturity research.
* Support European ATM education and training in the ATM community develop new talent with a deep knowledge of the future ATM scientific research needs; to sustain a supply of ATM research talent and to stimulate the next generation of ATM operational and engineering staff.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Website launched (M1) and developed (average > 1200 hits per month)
* Wiki and supporting data are being developed

Calls and challenges
* Thematic challenge topics evaluated & launched; workshops held, disseminated
* Call for PhDs / post-graduate theses launched, evaluated, notified
* 1st Call for catalyst funding launched, FAQ submissions opened

SESAR Innovations Days
* Established success already (non-disruptive change)
* Engage industry partners on programme committee and at conference

Dissemination, communication
* Investing very heavy effort, inviting ideas, advise us if not in the loop
* New industry partners signing up; further involvement in 2019

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Better integration between applied/industrial and exploratory research.

A future ATM skilled workforce. Helping develop new talent with a deep knowledge of the future ATM scientific research needs by supporting 11 PhDs, supporting the SESAR Innovation Days conference, organising three summer schools and a series of thematic workshops, facilitating attendance on ATC training courses and supplying lecture programmes at the ‘grass roots’ level.

Establish a knowledge hub (wiki) as a ‘go-to’ source, single point of entry for ATM knowledge.

Support student mobility, industry speakers at events, etc. - a large number of support actions.