1. Baltic Science Network Learning Experiences
Output from Work package 6 Capacity building and learning experiences
Authors: Paula Lindroos, Sinikka Suomalainen Åbo Akademi University

2. About the BSN Project
BSN serves as a forum for higher education, science, and research cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR).
BSN is a political network gathering relevant transnational, national, and regional policy actors from the BSR countries.
The Network serves as a springboard for targeted multi-lateral activities in the frame of research and innovation excellence, mobility of scientists and widening participation.

3. The BSN main objectives
Develop and implement science policies and strategies in the Baltic Sea Region in a macroregional dimension
Integrate in a coordinated manner macroregional interests into science policy on EU, national, regional and local level
Develop and implement transnational programmes to:
Support higher education, research and innovation infrastructures
Widen Baltic Sea Region multilateral cooperation
Develop new mobility tools

4. The BSN Learning Experiences
Methodology
2. Processes, partnership and institutional learning
3. Windows of opportunities
4. The voice of universities: Recommendations from the
Baltic University Programme network
5. Key messages
6. Good examples of regional research cooperation

5. 1. Methodology
A. Perspectives from the BSN partners through interviews and SWOT surveys (2018) B. The voice of universities: Baltic University Programme (BUP) surveys and workshops ( )

6. 2. Processes and partnership
Forming – Storming – orientation and hesitation:
A new road for international macroregional BSR cooperation opened
Multistakeholder partnership created confusion
Overview of the different research systems in the BSR was not available

7. … Processes and partnership
Norming - Performing – cohesion and solutions:
Multistakeholder partnership mostly considered important
Better understanding of research policy related issues due to project
Concrete actions and continuity
were stressed

8. . . . Institutional learning
Two main messages
1. New routines, new contacts, internationalization for the institutions
2. The multistakeholder partnership considered been the best option for the project outcomes

9. 3. Four Windows of opportunities
1. Scientific excellence and internationalization
The BSN project is very well in line with the strategies to create excellence and a critical mass in different scientific areas
Identify common research challenges and missions, which could be widened to the whole macro-region
Redirect strands of existing mobility programmes specifically to BSR

10. … Four Windows of opportunities
2. Funding programmes
Introduce a COST action in the three selected areas, Life Sciences, Welfare State, and Photon and Neutron Science
Develop a network of seed money facilities to diversify and increase the efficiency of the funding opportunities

11. … Four Windows of opportunities
3. Infrastructure
Safeguard the international use of middle and small sized infrastructures in the BSR
Introduce a forum for BSR level strategic discussions on i.e. new infrastructures

12. … Four Windows of opportunities -
4. Policy level cooperation
Continue the joint work for an increased visibility of the BSR in the EU
Introduce Science as a new Horizontal Action in the EUSBSR
Involve more BSR science ministries in the BSN through concrete projects -

13. 4. The Voice of Universities - Recommendations from the BUP network -
1. Focus on the most pressing societal and research challenges, and with the involvement of as many BSR countries as possible. Increase the exchange of students within these scientific areas.
2. Focus on networking in academic training at MSc and PhD levels. Young researchers, participating in summer schools, workshops and conferences will recognize good laboratories with good equipment and establish contacts early in their careers.

14. … The Voice of Universities - Recommendations from the BUP network -
3. Harmonize the mobility opportunities and diversify mobility tools in the BSR.
4. The BSR definitely needs strong internal and external promotion programs.

15. … The Voice of Universities - Recommendations from the BUP network -
5. Secure a good national level of basic research funding and secure an excellent higher education.
6. Bridge the gaps between EU and non-EU countries, and so increase the potential of research within the whole BSR.

16. 5. Key messages
1a. Do’s for transnational strategy development
+ Continue the strong support for the need to reduce the innovation gap within the BSR
+ Support and encourage the scientific excellence in the BSR (IR and critical mass for solving common challenges)
+ Build on the good track record of the BSN analysis of various research cooperation aspects and mobility trends.

17. ... Key messages
1b. Don’ts for a transnational strategy development
- Avoid the impression of BSR as a non-priority region
- National differences in the organization of research and research cooperation need to be bridged
- Reflect and find new ways to involve ministries

18. ... Key messages
2a. Do’s for transnational funding/incentive schemes
+ More and diverse mobility programmes among BSR researchers lead to more exchange and more value added for research for the region + The BSN creates a good example for other regions + Successfully implemented mobility tools can create a stronger network of researchers in the BSR. This creates a spill-over effect for common research projects, publications, share of the infrastructure, etc

19. ...Key messages
2b. Don’ts for transnational funding/incentive schemes
- Avoid the problem of the “common pot”; let the processes take time - Do not avoid involving the relevant stakeholders in the processes - By concentrating on only some research topics or infrastructures a large part of the scientific community is left out

20. ...Key messages
3a. Do’s for joint political action/representation of
common interest
+ Continue the BSN work to give research cooperation in the BSR a joint voice + Continue the work for the improvement of the BSR visibility as an excellent research region + Finding and representing the common interest for the BSR will boost cooperation among the partners. More and different opportunities for international cooperation for a more visible region

21. ...Key messages
3b. Don’ts for joint political action/representation of common interest
- The BSN may fail to achieve some of its goals if promotion of the BSN's goals are not included in the national positions of the BSR countries - Overcome the many different interests in the BSR countries

22. 6. Good examples of regional research cooperation
Foster and encourage more research cooperation
BSN, the involvement of stakeholders
BONUS, MAX etc.
2. Create better framework conditions (mobility, funding, network etc)
BSN mobility tools
BONUS, Nordforsk, Seed money tools
3. Make the region visible
BSN policy papers
Common voice
BONUS

23. Project partners Germany
Ministry of Science, Research and Equalities, Hamburg Ministry of Education, Science nd Cultural Affairs, Land of Schleswig-Holstein
Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Senate Chancellary Hamburg
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Lithuania Ministry of Education and Science Research and Higher Education Monitoring and Analysis Centre (MOSTA)
Russia St.Peterburg State University of Economics (UNECON)
Norway Ministry of Education and Research
Poland Ministry of Scince and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland
University of Gdansk
Sweden Swedish Research Council
Denmark Ministry of Higher Education and Research, Danish Agency for Science and Innovation
Transnational Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) NordForsk – Research funding organisation of the Nordic Council of Ministers BUP – Baltic University Programme BSRUN- Baltic Sa Region University Network BONUS STRING
Estonia Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Estonia
Finland
University of Turku Åbo Akademi University (BUP) Ministry of Education and Culture
Latvia Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia

24. Baltic Science Network
The full report Baltic Science Network Learning Experiences is available on Photos: sailing ship 1: Artur Magnuszewski, sailing ship 2: Paweł Beca, others: BSN