Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BioBased ValueCircle (Training the new generation of industrial doctorates in the transition towards bio-based value circles)
Période du rapport: 2020-09-01 au 2022-08-31
Biobased Value Circle trains the new generation of industrial doctorates in the transition towards biobased value circles. It offers a unique interdisciplinary research and training environment tailored for 12 early stage researchers (PhDs) excited by the development of innovative biobased products, respecting the principles of the circular economy.
The mission of Biobased Value Circle is to establish a paradigm shift in the innovation process for biobased materials to accelerate the transition from a fossil-based to a biobased and circular economy. This is essential to tackle urgent issues in our society, such as climate change and plastic pollution.
The program brings together cutting edge research and development spanning the biobased materials value circle, involving companies (including SMEs) and academic institutes from across Europe.
Biobased Value Circle consortium consists of four European universities, one research institute and nine European companies who will each hire PhD fellowships or host long internships (called secondments) as part of the training program.
The objective is to train PhDs in a set of 12 interlinked projects that cover the conversion of biomass to materials, the development of materials into applications, the environmental and economic impact of biobased materials, and the societal changes required to transition Europe from an oil-based to a circular biobased economy. Together the PhDs will contribute to the development of a common language and methodology to stimulate cooperation along the value circle and speed up the product development process.
The stimulating research projects will be co-supervised by the industry and academic participants to provide each PhD with valuable insight into the industry and academic research environments. Next to that, it will be paired with a range of inspiring training modules that reflect the unique interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial environment created by Biobased Value Circle, including training relevant to the biobased industries and to academic, industrial and transferrable skills. This ensures that we address the values of the European Industrial Doctorates Program by producing a new generation of researchers who will benefit from crosscutting skills that allow them to thrive in both industry and academia, leading to more cooperation between these sectors and enhancing the competitiveness of Europe.
The mission of Biobased Value Circle is to establish a paradigm shift in the innovation process for biobased materials to accelerate the transition from a fossil-based to a biobased and circular economy. This is essential to tackle urgent issues in our society, such as climate change and plastic pollution.
The program brings together cutting edge research and development spanning the biobased materials value circle, involving companies (including SMEs) and academic institutes from across Europe.
Biobased Value Circle consortium consists of four European universities, one research institute and nine European companies who will each hire PhD fellowships or host long internships (called secondments) as part of the training program.
The objective is to train PhDs in a set of 12 interlinked projects that cover the conversion of biomass to materials, the development of materials into applications, the environmental and economic impact of biobased materials, and the societal changes required to transition Europe from an oil-based to a circular biobased economy. Together the PhDs will contribute to the development of a common language and methodology to stimulate cooperation along the value circle and speed up the product development process.
The stimulating research projects will be co-supervised by the industry and academic participants to provide each PhD with valuable insight into the industry and academic research environments. Next to that, it will be paired with a range of inspiring training modules that reflect the unique interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial environment created by Biobased Value Circle, including training relevant to the biobased industries and to academic, industrial and transferrable skills. This ensures that we address the values of the European Industrial Doctorates Program by producing a new generation of researchers who will benefit from crosscutting skills that allow them to thrive in both industry and academia, leading to more cooperation between these sectors and enhancing the competitiveness of Europe.
All 12 ESRs have been recruited and appointed during the first 12 months, as well as the submission of their declarations and completion of all individual career development plans.
A curriculum of transferable skills has been designed but due to the pandemic both events were organized online. The transferable skills require personal and group interaction and were affected this format. It is the direct interaction that is of great importance for achieving the overall goal of Biobased ValueCircle, so for the next training event we have set the aim of strengthening the personal interaction both between the ESRs and between the ESRs and the supervisors.
Significant scientific progress has been made in all ESR project in 2021. Of course, there are differences depending on the slightly different starting times of the ESRs. All ESRs have submitted their first year research progress.
A curriculum of transferable skills has been designed but due to the pandemic both events were organized online. The transferable skills require personal and group interaction and were affected this format. It is the direct interaction that is of great importance for achieving the overall goal of Biobased ValueCircle, so for the next training event we have set the aim of strengthening the personal interaction both between the ESRs and between the ESRs and the supervisors.
Significant scientific progress has been made in all ESR project in 2021. Of course, there are differences depending on the slightly different starting times of the ESRs. All ESRs have submitted their first year research progress.
The main objective of BIOBASED VALUE CIRCLE is to train the new generation of industrial doctorates in the transition towards bio-based value circles. These professionals with multiple perspectives and strong identities as independent and innovative researchers will be ready for both the public and private sectors. Through the network, the young professionals will be equipped with all the necessary skills needed to exploit the research results and to function as a part of the international research community and become familiar with the industrial environment of their research.
One major impact area mentioned by several ESRs was the self-development process; getting to start one’s research career, developing as an early-stage researcher, learning both academic and non-academic subjects. Another major impact was the network collaboration and interaction; having a possibility to cooperate with a network of other ESRs and supervisors as well as with both academic and industrial organizations, and to receive feedback from a range of colleagues who have different expertise and viewpoints. Thirdly, gaining experience in technologies and critical thinking are among the mentioned positive impacts on these young researchers.
Beneficiaries reported that the recruited ESRs are strengthening the research focus on the respective fields as well as bringing a positive impact on the research teams in terms of fresh ideas, motivation, and social group dynamics.
Industrial project participants stated that the cooperation with the project’s academic consortium members gives an excellent view on ongoing topics and research areas in the field, and is a great opportunity to expand their network and use the knowledge in industrial practices.
One major impact area mentioned by several ESRs was the self-development process; getting to start one’s research career, developing as an early-stage researcher, learning both academic and non-academic subjects. Another major impact was the network collaboration and interaction; having a possibility to cooperate with a network of other ESRs and supervisors as well as with both academic and industrial organizations, and to receive feedback from a range of colleagues who have different expertise and viewpoints. Thirdly, gaining experience in technologies and critical thinking are among the mentioned positive impacts on these young researchers.
Beneficiaries reported that the recruited ESRs are strengthening the research focus on the respective fields as well as bringing a positive impact on the research teams in terms of fresh ideas, motivation, and social group dynamics.
Industrial project participants stated that the cooperation with the project’s academic consortium members gives an excellent view on ongoing topics and research areas in the field, and is a great opportunity to expand their network and use the knowledge in industrial practices.