David Murphy Manager European Marine Research Knowledge Transfer and Uptake of Results EUROCEAN Steering Committee Lisbon, 9 th November

Who are we? AquaTT is an international foundation supporting the European Marine sector by providing project management and services Mission Statement To bridge the knowledge gap between the dynamic RTD environments and the progressive commercial sectors

Our Profile AquaTT’s strengths: Excellence in proposal writing Experienced and motivated team Experience in all aspects of a Project Lifecycle High rate of success in competitive EC funding calls** (**2009 to date 100% written by AquaTT (3), 83% as a partner, 5/6 projects) AquaTT’s core activities are: Project management Facilitation Communication and Dissemination Education and Training Technology Transfer

Overview Type of funding scheme: Coordination and Support actions (supporting) Work programme topics addressed: ENV Knowledge transfer and uptake of EU-research results Funded: 2 nd out of 15 applications under this call Partners: AquaTT & EUROCEAN Budget: ~€950,000 Duration: 24m

Justification The European Union (EU) 6th Framework Programme ( ) funded 458 marine research projects worth more than €848 million in grant-aid 124 marine research projects (grant-aid €297 million) funded under the FP7 (2007 – 2013) to date. Although research effort is significant, not all of the new knowledge has had the expected impact, perhaps because of the “well-known obstacles impeding knowledge transfer between research institutions and third parties”* *‘Improving knowledge transfer between research institutions and industry across Europe’ (Com (2007) 182 final).

KM Challenge cultural differences between the business and science communities; lack of incentives; legal barriers; fragmented markets for knowledge and technology Ref: Improving knowledge transfer between research institutions and industry across Europe: embracing open innovation – Implementing the Lisbon agenda (COM (2007) 182 final).

KM Challenge Researchers have little motivation or incentive to transfer knowledge but devote time and effort to publishing scientific papers or searching for new research grants which are recognised and rewarded in the current system and are key elements in career progression. Some argue that it is not a researchers core business and they may not have the network or skills for such activities and instead specialists should take up this role. It could also be argued that it is not cost effective or efficient to have individual projects disseminating but rather centralise the activity and have a clearing house for knowledge?

Why MarineTT No one has yet completed and documented an analysis of final results in order to identify the value and potential of the knowledge generated. There is currently a gap in the system. No single organisation or group is currently mandated to do this exercise at the European level.

Collect and Understand – refining and improving databases and info-bases, starting with the EurOcean Internet portal Analyse (cost & benefit) and Consult filter, assess, evaluate, and select research results and outputs which can be put forward as knowledge identify target end users identify the benefits of delivering knowledge to target end users identify if specific translation* needs are require (*technical terminology, regional variance, cultural differences etc.) Transfer and Connect using the most appropriate, cost-effective channels and instruments, make the knowledge accessible for professional use

Knowledge Transfer A) Knowledge transfer that can be customised and then distributed using existing or newly developed innovative dissemination tools B) Knowledge transfer in collaboration with multipliers (e.g. associations, IRCs, development agencies, regional business bodies)

Innovative Approach A change of focus from the promotion of research projects per se to singling out research outputs those end-users can adopt and/or exploit. The clustering and impartial assessment of knowledge potential The incorporation of sustainability factors in judging the benefit of knowledge exploitation to society (to ensure that economic growth does not result in environmental degradation) Analysis of the potential impact of transferring knowledge Measuring the impact of any knowledge transferred;

Methodology Highlights The MarineTT knowledge management system Extensive consultation with stakeholders, i.e., RTD performers and potential end-users The customisation of research outputs in formats suitable for end-users The MarineTT innovative delivery mechanisms The MarineTT integral impact measurement system which utilises indicators capable of measuring the uptake and the impact of any exploitation of results.

Results The knowledge and exploitable results will be packaged and disseminated; -to facilitate and accelerate the commercial application of research results (industry); -to inform and direct further research (the research community); -to support evidence-based policy making (policy makers) -provide accurate scientific knowledge to organisations with a mandate to communicate environmental messages to the public (Communicators e.g. NGOs, Governments).

For more information please contact us Address: 40 Lower Leeson St., Dublin 2, Ireland Website: Tel: Contact us

High Cost / Low Benefit A High Cost / High Benefit B Low Cost / Low Benefit C Low Cost / High Benefit D The outputs from research projects will be plotted in a matrix:

The MarineTT project will: 1.Strengthen identification, monitoring, and evaluation systems and capacities so that research outcomes can first be classified as data, information or knowledge 2.Ensure that research outcomes in the form of exploitable results can be effectively transferred to end-users  Cross-thematic approach with a focus on the marine environment and the implications on the marine environment of - biodiversity - climate change - heritage & urban development - earth observation The Solution

WP 1 : Project management & internal communication Lead: AquaTT Organistation and management of resources Facilitation of communication WP 2: Information management Lead: EurOcean Collection and management of information Improve accessibility to end users Involvement of stakeholders Organisation and control of the structure, processing and delivery of information WP 3: Knowledge analysis Lead: AquaTT Refinement and trial of a knowledge analysis matrix Measurement of knowledge in terms of a cost-benefit analysis Work Packages

WP 4: Consultation with RTD performers & stakeholders Lead: AquaTT Appreciation for the knowledge already available Identification of needs in terms of research, knowledge transfer and policy Confirmation and/or refinement of the knowledge analysis (WP3) WP 5: Knowledge transfer Lead: AquaTT Transfer of marine research outputs Customisation of information and knowledge Development and use of the latest tools, resources and communication channels Measurement of the impact of the uptake of knowledge WP 6: Project promotion Lead: EurOcean Dissemination and promotion of the project i.e. its objectives, activities, partners, major events. Work Packages