Why Community Matters in Knowledge Transfer

Professional communities play a vital role in knowledge transfer. They create spaces where professionals can share experiences, discuss challenges and learn from one another. In a field that continues to evolve rapidly, these exchanges often provide insights that cannot be found in training materials or guidance documents alone.

For our Volunteer of the Year, Jacek Plucinski, it is precisely this culture of knowledge exchange that has made ASTP such an important part of his professional journey.

"It’s a great recognition, but also a massive surprise," he says. "I thought I’m just an average member who wants to share and exchange ideas with other KTO peers. That’s what ASTP is all about for me."

Having joined ASTP in 2018, Jacek initially participated in trainings, webinars and events to learn from peers and develop professionally. Over time, however, he realised that being part of a professional community is not only about learning from others but also about contributing back.

"I’ve been learning a lot since I’ve joined through all sorts of different offerings, trainings and webinars, but I always felt it’d be cool to contribute back too."

When he was invited to join the Digital Events Committee, he saw an opportunity to do exactly that.

Finding Common Ground

One of the aspects of ASTP that Jacek values most is the opportunity to connect with professionals from different institutions and countries who often face remarkably similar challenges.

"What I discovered as most enjoyable is that so many of us have the same struggles every day, irrespective of where you come from or what university you work in."

Whether through Annual Conferences, Special Interest Groups, training courses or online discussions, these interactions help create a stronger and more connected knowledge transfer community.

For Jacek, the value lies not only in exchanging ideas but in doing so openly and honestly.

"Connecting with other KT peers and trying to find solutions, sharing what worked, what didn’t, in a very honest, non-judgmental and kind way. It’s awesome!"

This willingness to share both successes and failures is one of the characteristics that makes professional communities so valuable. While every institution operates in a different context, many of the underlying challenges are shared, and learning from one another can help accelerate progress across the wider ecosystem.

Turning Learning into Contribution

As his involvement with ASTP grew, so did his desire to support opportunities for others to connect and learn.

Through his work on the Digital Events Committee and the Tea with ASTP webinar series, Jacek has helped bring together members from across the community to discuss emerging topics and exchange practical experiences.

One of the moments he is most proud of is seeing the continued engagement of participants.

"Actually seeing that people are interested and actively participating in our Tea with ASTP webinars. That the topics, the speakers and moderation bring people together and the attendance is not dropping."

For him, this ongoing participation reflects a genuine appetite within the community to learn from one another and discuss real-world challenges. It also demonstrates the value of creating informal spaces where practitioners can exchange ideas, ask questions and explore emerging topics together.

That conversation continues in the coming month, with three new Tea with ASTP webinars already scheduled. Members and non-members alike are invited to join these interactive sessions and contribute their own perspectives to discussions shaping the future of knowledge transfer. Explore the upcoming webinars and register to be part of the conversation.

• Tea with ASTP: Agentic code, copyrights and what KTO can do about AI generated software?
• Tea with ASTP: Celebrating Impact Through Knowledge Transfer 
• Tea with ASTP: What to look for in your Patent Attorney

Knowledge Transfer in a Changing Landscape

The knowledge transfer profession is operating in an increasingly complex environment. Developments in artificial intelligence, research information security, European sovereignty and industry collaboration are reshaping the innovation landscape and creating new challenges for research organisations.

"My approach to knowledge transfer evolved quite a bit over the past few years," Jacek reflects. "The innovation landscape is very dynamic, but I think it’s a crucial moment for European innovation institutions."

In this context, professional communities have an increasingly important role to play.

"The discussions are necessary, but ever more so – sharing concrete examples of solving common KT problems."

While strategic discussions remain essential, practitioners also need practical insights and examples that can help them navigate new challenges and opportunities. By facilitating these exchanges, communities such as ASTP contribute not only to individual professional development but also to the broader European innovation ecosystem.

From Support Function to Strategic Partner

Reflecting on his experience in knowledge transfer and his involvement with ASTP, Jacek believes the profession is entering a new phase of development.

"All my tech transfer experience, including volunteering at ASTP, made me strongly convinced that European KT/TT offices ought to be way more ambitious."

He argues that knowledge transfer offices should increasingly position themselves as strategic partners within their institutions rather than purely support functions.

"Times of a passive, reactive support in IPR and licensing are a song of the past."

As universities and research organisations navigate challenges such as artificial intelligence, research security, industrial competitiveness and societal impact, knowledge transfer professionals have an important role to play in shaping institutional strategy and helping steer research and innovation towards meaningful outcomes.

For Jacek, this requires a more interdisciplinary and proactive approach, with knowledge transfer professionals working across organisational boundaries and contributing to decisions that influence the direction of research, innovation and collaboration.

"More interdisciplinary, transversal and leading role of Knowledge and Tech Transfer offices isn’t debatable anymore. It’s a cornerstone of the future European academic innovation landscape."

It is a vision that reflects the evolution of the profession itself: one built not only on managing intellectual property and supporting commercialisation, but on connecting people, ideas and opportunities to maximise the impact of research and innovation.

More Than a Network

When asked what advice he would give to someone considering volunteering with ASTP, Jacek's answer is simple:

"Don’t be shy. Join, learn, contribute, listen to understand."

He believes that the greatest value of professional communities often comes from the relationships they help build. Over the years, he has developed a network of trusted peers whom he can call when facing a difficult question or seeking a different perspective.

"The most impactful one is the connections with other peers. I don’t know how many times I’ve just grabbed a phone and called someone I knew from ASTP, asking them how would they solve this or that."

His final message serves as a reminder that strong communities depend on active participation.

"Don’t just be a consumer of knowledge. Your time, your questions, your experience and knowledge exchange is what drives this community forward."

As knowledge transfer continues to evolve, it is these contributions — from asking questions to sharing experiences and volunteering time — that help strengthen the profession, support innovation and ensure that Europe's knowledge transfer community continues to grow.

For Jacek, this spirit of collaboration is what continues to make ASTP relevant and impactful.

"ASTP needs people to grow and to lead Europe’s knowledge transfer community forward."