We are pleased to share updates and news from the European policy landscape for knowledge transfer and innovation, particularly for knowledge valorisation.
According to the European Commission’s definition, “Knowledge valorisation is the process of creating social and economic value from knowledge by linking different areas and sectors and transforming data, know-how and research results into sustainable products, services, solutions and knowledge-based policies that benefit society[1]” – this topic is a key part of the Commission’s proposal to revitalise the European Research Area.
Two new Codes of Practice (CoP) implementing the Guiding Principles for Knowledge Valorisation have been recently published and, in particular, a Code of Practice on citizens’ engagement and a Code of Practice on industry-academia co-creation for knowledge valorisation. The latter is particularly relevant for our community as it provides recommendations to foster a culture of collaboration and trust between industry and academia and to facilitate co-creation, in order to accelerate the development of new technologies, products and service with the aim to address pressing societal challenges. The new CoP are the result of a co-creation process launched by the European Commission through the establishment of communities of practice that provided recommendations. Several ASTP members, including ASTP President Christophe Haunold, have been active in these communities, bringing the perspective of knowledge and technology transfer offices to the discussion.
The Mutual Learning Exercise on Knowledge Valorisation, an initiative aimed at supporting Member States to improve their policies and policy support for knowledge uptake and deployment, has been releasing the first reports and deliverables.
Recently, the European Commission hosted the fifth edition of Europe Research and Innovation Days, the annual flagship event bringing together policymakers, researchers, stakeholders and the public to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe, including a discussion about “The Power of Knowledge Valorisation” to solve complex societal problems.
Finally, knowledge valorisation is also receiving attention under the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council which has decided to “Prioritize the contribution of research and innovation as our foremost catalyst for achieving greater open strategic autonomy for Europe, while focusing on better valorisation of research results and reinforcing the role of research and innovation in society to overcome key industrial and societal challenges[2]”.
How do such policy developments affect the European knowledge and technology transfer community represented by ASTP? To what extent are we aware of the challenges and opportunities related to our role as intermediaries in the knowledge valorisation ecosystem?
ASTP’s Europe Committee, under the guidance of VP Europe and in synergy with the NAAC, is closely following the developments and initiatives in this policy area and continuing to advocate for the knowledge transfer profession at the EU level.
