1. Improving research management for improving research outcomes Andrea Berti Head of Research and Technology Transfer Office University of Padua 4 th European Innovation Summit Brussels, 10 October, 2012

2. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 2 University of Padua research income

3. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 3 Allocation of internal funds 3 External funds

4. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 4 University of Padua research people

5. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 5 University of Padua research outcomes 2012 Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Jiao Tong University): ranking of the University of Padua –World: 151-200 –Europe: 51-75 –Italy: 3-4 The 2004 report issued by the National Research Assessment Committee set the University of Padua as the highest ranking among Italian universities for the quality of its research results (next report expected in 2013) Based on the number of citations of articles and publications by its researchers (source: ISI), the University of Padua ranks among the top three Italian universities for total impact index, productivity index and presence index 7FP results so far: –158 funded or approved projects –Euro 43,6 m total income Other European programmes (2007-2012): –28 funded projects –Euro 3,2 m total income A Adopted the European Researcher Charter and the Code of Conduct for Recruitment of Researchers

6. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 6 General Manager Head of Research and Technology Transfer Head of International Relations Research Evaluation Technology Transfer International Research National Research Pro-Chancellor for Research Scientific Commission (17 academics) Pro-Chancellor for EU Research Academics Managers University of Padua organization chart University Press Doctorate Programmes 70+ people involved in research management, not including administrative staff in 32 departments EU Structural Funds Pro-Chancellor for Technology Transfer Research Observatory (7 academics) Delegates for: Young researchers Scientific communication Rankings

7. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 7 The relationship between research management and research outcomes Research management Research outcomes What’s the strategy for research management at our university? Which challenges face research managers? To what extent does management affect outcomes?

8. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 8 Actions to improve research outcomes Hire good researchers Get and manage external funds Allocate internal funds Perform research Monitor research outcomes Use research output (knowledge transfer, dissemination) Research management involvement High Low

9. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 9 University of Padua Research Management Strategy Maintain research as university’s main mission Give research an international outlook Allocate internal funds on past performance and peer review of projects Focus on research evaluation Foster collaboration on interdisciplinary projects Uphold research in all areas, even when outcomes are difficult to evaluate (e.g. humanities, social sciences, law) Create attractive career paths for young researchers Enhance collaboration between research groups and industry, with special focus on SMEs in North- East Italy Initiatives Projects People Schedule Funds Annual Research Action Plan Annual Research Action Plan

10. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 10 Key challenges for research management 1.Raise more funds from external sources 2.Maintain high research quality despite decreasing funds 3.Implement continuous and effective evaluation tools 4.Transfer applied research results to industry 5.Improve dissemination of research results 6.Uphold research in areas in which outcomes are difficult to evaluate...and last but not least: 7.Execute the plan in only 365 days!

11. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 11 Possible solutions ChallengeUniversity of Padua solution 1.Raise more funds from external sources Intensive training for administrative and academic staff to improve fundraising and project writing skills 2.Maintain high quality research despite decreasing funds Concentrate funding on few excellent groups (see next slide) 3.Implement continuous and effective evaluation tools Start “Research Observatory” to: measure research outcomes devise merit criteria for funds allocation 4.Transfer applied research results to industry Strengthen Technology Transfer Office (patent licensing, spin-off programme) and business incubator 5.Improve dissemination of research results Open Access repository for doctoral theses and other publications Padova University Press (i.e. the University publishing house) 6.Uphold research in areas in which outcomes are difficult to evaluate Find creative ways to evaluate research results in all fields

12. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 12 An example of good practice Strategic Research Projects 3-year projects entirely funded by University Euro 10 m in 2008 Euro 6 m in 2012 International evaluation commission and referees Rich grants awarded to a few projects: 10 in 2008 3 Life Sciences 3 Sciences and Engineering 2 ICT 1 History 1 Psychology Monitoring of outputs (intermediate + final) Many projects were multidisci- plinary

13. IMPROVING RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR IMPROVING RESEARCH OUTCOMES ANDREA BERTI – UNVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA - BRUSSELS, OCT. 10, 2012 13 Contacts Andrea Berti Head of Research and Technology Transfer Office University of Padua andrea.berti@unipd.it +39 049 827 3096