Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CopHub.AC (Copernicus Academy Hub for Knowledge, Innovation and Outreach)
Berichtszeitraum: 2018-10-01 bis 2020-12-31
CopHub.AC (Oct 2018 - Dec 2020) established a Copernicus hub to consolidate and sustain the Copernicus Academy as a knowledge and innovation platform. Several nodes have been created, including interactive web elements showing the distribution and dynamics of Copernicus related expertise and innovation capacities as well as several organisational elements such as thematic working groups, a partnership award and different types of innovation hubs. Engaging with ongoing R&D activities in Copernicus-relevant academic fields the project sustained the innovation process from academia to business on a high scientific and technical level. A clear commitment was given to a full thematic and geographic coverage for a Europe-wide boost in demand-driven uptake of space technology and geospatial information. Main achievements include:
i. foster the enlargement of the Copernicus Academy ecosystem through a well-orchestrated set of tools and structures;
ii. reinforce the R&I capacities of Copernicus Academies and channel their outputs within an improved format of research briefs;
iii. inform industry, educational networks, authorities and the citizen about Copernicus and its societal benefits;
iv. promote capacity building and connectivity with the Copernicus Relays and other networks;
v. sustain the long-term impact and sustainability of the Copernicus Academy network through the establishment of a secretariat, a monitoring process and a forward-looking roadmap.
As a main result of CopHub.AC a set of recommendations was prepared, translated in the languages involved (German, Spanish, Italian, Greek, and others). These strategic consideration are key to further develop the Copernicus Academy network, and foster Copernicus uptake by society at large.
i. foster the enlargement of the Copernicus Academy ecosystem through a well-orchestrated set of tools and structures;
ii. reinforce the R&I capacities of Copernicus Academies and channel their outputs within an improved format of research briefs;
iii. inform industry, educational networks, authorities and the citizen about Copernicus and its societal benefits;
iv. promote capacity building and connectivity with the Copernicus Relays and other networks;
v. sustain the long-term impact and sustainability of the Copernicus Academy network through the establishment of a secretariat, a monitoring process and a forward-looking roadmap.
As a main result of CopHub.AC a set of recommendations was prepared, translated in the languages involved (German, Spanish, Italian, Greek, and others). These strategic consideration are key to further develop the Copernicus Academy network, and foster Copernicus uptake by society at large.
A joint action plan was prepared by the two Copernicus hub sister projects CopHub.AC and CoRDiNet including strategic goals and events regular coordination meetings. An initial joint project leaflet was complemented by a comprehensive joint policy brief towards the end of the projects. Both projects were amended to extend the implementation phase and jointly maximize impacts towards the end. CopHub.AC was involved in the Copernicus European Regional Strategy Panel (CERSP) of CoRdiNet.
Key dissemination activities included networking events during the General Assemblies in 2018, 2019, and 2020 with presentations, interactive sessions, video documentations, virtual booths, networking tables. A highlight was the “Hitchhiker’s guide to digitalisation in Europe” attracting more than 100 participants from regional authorities, industry and academia.
Work carried out in the context of the “Copernicus ecosystem” [WP 2] focused on the Thematic Working Groups (TWG) operational procedures, pursued by regular telcons and exchanges. With respect to the (potential) amendments of the current membership procedures, we the “Published membership conditions” backed by exchanges with DG GROW, the CSO, and Advisory Board members,. On technical level, the “Gateway demonstrator” implies an extended format of gathering relevant expertise from existing and new partners, prototypically is accessible through the CopHub.AC website (www.cophub-ac.eu).
“Copernicus Academy R&I capacities” [WP 3] was inaugurated by an in-depth working session in early 2019. The general strategy evolved to an Innovation Pipeline, as an innovation concept. The Knowledge Landscape was prototypically implemented, gathering relevant Copernicus Academy in a database to better visualise and query the distributed expertise.
“Copernicus Academy outreach” [WP 4] aimed to identify and link up with the existing partner networks and establishing synergies, in particular with the Erasmus+ Skills Alliance project EO4GEO. Intensive discussions were conducted with respect to the Body of Knowledge (in particular the BoK knowledge area “Thematic Applications”) to streamline the vocabulary in terms of application areas, market taxonomies, and societal areas. As a facilitating tool, the CopHub.AC Citizen App was prototyped, showcasing ‘stories’ in different application domains or core service areas.
Work on “Connectedness / connectivity” [WP 5] led to an Annual Event Calendar, constantly updated with events relevant to the Academy or other key communities, such as GEO, SGAC, UNOOSA, etc. Linkages to, and interaction with, the CSO were ensured. A virtual Summer School was held, and an interactive repository on training elements complied.
Finally, work pushing “Copernicus Academy sustainability” [WP 6] focused on the means and conditions to establish long(er)-term perspectives of the Academy as a network. A set of networking indicators was proposed as a baseline to evaluate the success of measures in sustaining the network. One of the key outcomes was the active contribution to the GA, through interactive sessions, talks, workshops or hand-outs. Key dissemination strategies and their respective impacts were discussed in the joint Policy Brief. It culminated in the presentation of a Roadmap document, including achievements and recommendations for future implementations.
Key dissemination activities included networking events during the General Assemblies in 2018, 2019, and 2020 with presentations, interactive sessions, video documentations, virtual booths, networking tables. A highlight was the “Hitchhiker’s guide to digitalisation in Europe” attracting more than 100 participants from regional authorities, industry and academia.
Work carried out in the context of the “Copernicus ecosystem” [WP 2] focused on the Thematic Working Groups (TWG) operational procedures, pursued by regular telcons and exchanges. With respect to the (potential) amendments of the current membership procedures, we the “Published membership conditions” backed by exchanges with DG GROW, the CSO, and Advisory Board members,. On technical level, the “Gateway demonstrator” implies an extended format of gathering relevant expertise from existing and new partners, prototypically is accessible through the CopHub.AC website (www.cophub-ac.eu).
“Copernicus Academy R&I capacities” [WP 3] was inaugurated by an in-depth working session in early 2019. The general strategy evolved to an Innovation Pipeline, as an innovation concept. The Knowledge Landscape was prototypically implemented, gathering relevant Copernicus Academy in a database to better visualise and query the distributed expertise.
“Copernicus Academy outreach” [WP 4] aimed to identify and link up with the existing partner networks and establishing synergies, in particular with the Erasmus+ Skills Alliance project EO4GEO. Intensive discussions were conducted with respect to the Body of Knowledge (in particular the BoK knowledge area “Thematic Applications”) to streamline the vocabulary in terms of application areas, market taxonomies, and societal areas. As a facilitating tool, the CopHub.AC Citizen App was prototyped, showcasing ‘stories’ in different application domains or core service areas.
Work on “Connectedness / connectivity” [WP 5] led to an Annual Event Calendar, constantly updated with events relevant to the Academy or other key communities, such as GEO, SGAC, UNOOSA, etc. Linkages to, and interaction with, the CSO were ensured. A virtual Summer School was held, and an interactive repository on training elements complied.
Finally, work pushing “Copernicus Academy sustainability” [WP 6] focused on the means and conditions to establish long(er)-term perspectives of the Academy as a network. A set of networking indicators was proposed as a baseline to evaluate the success of measures in sustaining the network. One of the key outcomes was the active contribution to the GA, through interactive sessions, talks, workshops or hand-outs. Key dissemination strategies and their respective impacts were discussed in the joint Policy Brief. It culminated in the presentation of a Roadmap document, including achievements and recommendations for future implementations.
Networking and coordination activities: CopHub.AC brings together core actors, early adaptors, and promoters of the Copernicus Academy and facilitates access to and documentation of their achievements in an effective innovation pipeline. . New formats of networking events are being tested, such as blended Summer Schools and conferences, a well as online modes thereof. CopHub.AC will actively promote the conceptualisation of a “virtualized” Summer School. The Summer School will be held at the end of June 2020 in an innovative online format also utilizing the EO4GEO course label.
Innovation facilitator: Following the principles of Open Innovation, CopHub.AC acts as an innovation hub for collecting, showcasing, and sharing best practice examples and new developments or service ideas of the Copernicus ecosystem. An innovation scoreboard is being developed, with close relation to the Copernicus ecosystem. New platforms developed reaching out to stakeholders and citizens.
Visualising and communicating distributed knowledge and capacities: existing, but often scattered and geographically distributed knowledge and the capacities of organisations and actors in providing data, methods, products, services (and prospectively educational offers), is visualised via the CopHub.AC Knowledge Landscape.
Technological developments: database, interactive queries and geovisualization for (1) more effectively reaching out to the Copernicus community at large (CopHub.AC Citizen App), and (2) for making these advancements visible, trackable, and potentially reproducible.
Procedural mechanisms to sustain and evolve the Copernicus Academy, to stimulate and acknowledge active membership and the sharing of knowledge, and facilitate the reporting on network level via the Gateway and Knowledge Landscape.
Long-term vision / roadmap: a strategic plan (roadmap) was compiled as a synopsis of the major project outcomes. This includes mid- to long-term actions and networking elements to be realised and/or supported in a specific policy context (e.g. action to support DG DEFIS in animating the networks). In addition, the roadmap contains visionary elements of sustainability emanating from the network and its partners, such as physical (regional) or virtual innovation hubs in the context of Copernicus.
Innovation facilitator: Following the principles of Open Innovation, CopHub.AC acts as an innovation hub for collecting, showcasing, and sharing best practice examples and new developments or service ideas of the Copernicus ecosystem. An innovation scoreboard is being developed, with close relation to the Copernicus ecosystem. New platforms developed reaching out to stakeholders and citizens.
Visualising and communicating distributed knowledge and capacities: existing, but often scattered and geographically distributed knowledge and the capacities of organisations and actors in providing data, methods, products, services (and prospectively educational offers), is visualised via the CopHub.AC Knowledge Landscape.
Technological developments: database, interactive queries and geovisualization for (1) more effectively reaching out to the Copernicus community at large (CopHub.AC Citizen App), and (2) for making these advancements visible, trackable, and potentially reproducible.
Procedural mechanisms to sustain and evolve the Copernicus Academy, to stimulate and acknowledge active membership and the sharing of knowledge, and facilitate the reporting on network level via the Gateway and Knowledge Landscape.
Long-term vision / roadmap: a strategic plan (roadmap) was compiled as a synopsis of the major project outcomes. This includes mid- to long-term actions and networking elements to be realised and/or supported in a specific policy context (e.g. action to support DG DEFIS in animating the networks). In addition, the roadmap contains visionary elements of sustainability emanating from the network and its partners, such as physical (regional) or virtual innovation hubs in the context of Copernicus.