Research Platforms at KTH In the service of humanity, for the society of tomorrow Björn Birgisson, Vice President for Research Structure and Content
KTH Focus Research and innovation Platforms in our strongest areas
The platforms KTH Royal Institute of Technology KTH Materials Transport Energy ICT Medical and Biomedical Technology
Cutting across the schools 4
A distinctive addition to KTH KTH Platforms are: A joined-up approach to tackling the world’s great challenges Interdisciplinary – creating a forum between the Schools Orientated towards the future and towards social needs in an international perspective Owned by KTH and internally driven, with an external strategic outlook on cooperation and funding 5
KTH Transport Platform Strategy Mission ”Reason for being” Effective and efficient vehicle for delivering multidisciplinary research under a multi-stakeholder partnership – servicing the society of tomorrow
77 VISION Mission implementation target KTH Platforms are within their respective fields of competence: Globally recognized organizers and leaders of efficient inventive multidisciplinary research. Preferred partners by industry, government agencies and relevant academia in said research. Demonstrated excellence and “value for money” has made KTH one of EU´s leading recipients of funding for multi-disciplinary research.
KTH’s cross-disciplinary platforms contribute to: Moving knowledge forward! Moving people forward! Moving industry forward! Moving society forward! KTH is an engine for research and development that is of use for the whole society KTH attracts and develops the best talents KTH contributes to economic growth within existing and new companies KTH develops and communicates new knowledge that will over time be of use to all parts of society
What should the platforms do?
Role I: Formulate imaginative strategic research ideas that meet the grand challenges of today and tomorrow that have the potential to improve society, the environment, and quality of live. Goal: Create a highly interdisciplinary research climate which is internationally renowned as a world class source of knowledge and leadership What should the platforms do?
Role II: The platforms provide fora that stimulate effective planning and response to large, cross- disciplinary challenges and associated research calls within each of the areas. Goal: Increased success in large, complex research applications What should the platforms do?
Role III: Communicate, demonstrate and market the academic, social and economic impact of KTH research on society. Goals: Strengthen the profile of KTH as an international leader in developing new technology, policies, and systems that will make the world a better place to be. What should the platforms do?
Role IV: The platforms provide input for the planning of large scale critical research infrastructure at KTH as well as the planning of interdisciplinary faculty hires in cooperation with appropriate school deans as input to Rektor Goal: Proactively ensure that long-term needs are met for critical infrastructure and new interdisciplinary hires What should the platforms do?
Platform Activities Vision Strategy Benchmarking Listening to the Outside World A cross- disciplinary research culture Provide support and readiness for large research calls Strategic partners Communication Reporting Education Lobbying
Non-platform tasks Platforms are compliments to Schools therefore they do not undertake: Employment of staff Financial budgeting and accounting at School and lower level Education and courses Graduation of students Discipline research Discipline inventions KTH Platforms; Platform Coordinators’ Meeting 27 October Måns Collin 14
Platform structure 1.A generic Base Platform (”body”) shared between all Platforms e.g. management and control systems, terms of engagement (contractual framework), communications services etc. 2. Thematic Platforms (”soul”) i.e. persons and assigned time for work, their organization and funds under the Platform format. 16 BASE PLATFORM (only internal) ICTEnergyMaterialsTransport Med & Biomed
Platforms in a ”nut shell” A Platform is KTH’s purpose designed organizational vehicle to handle multi-disciplinary research proposals emanating from Industry, Government Agencies and/or Academy (Academy only if the proposals is outside the scope of one School) Platforms make available purpose designed administrative tools, processes and support as well as standard (legal) formats enabling an efficient and effective execution of given tasks KTH Platforms; Platform Coordinators’ Meeting 27 October Måns Collin 13
Planning for successful platforms Activities “WHAT” are we going to do?Strategic plan “WHY” are we doing it?Strategic plan “FOR WHOM” are we doing it?Strategic plan “HOW” are we going to achieve it?Development plan 2
Energy Material development Information and communications technology Transport research Medical and biomedical technology The BIGGER Perspective A Better Future