Project details
Funding Programme: 7th Framework Programme (FP7)
Sub-Programme: Theme 6: Environment (including Climate Change)
Funding scheme: Coordination and Support Action
Project duration: February 2010 - July 2012
The Challenge
The challenge is to unlock the vast amounts of potentially valuable knowledge which has been generated by FP6 and FP7 funded marine research projects. The European Commission have provided a significant investment in marine research and development since FP6 commenced in 2000, approximately € 1.1billion of EU funds have been provided to almost 600 projects. If correctly exploited, the research outcomes could drive Europe’s Knowledge Economy and secure an international reputation for excellence in Marine Research. This is vital if Europe is to maintain its competitive advantage on the international stage.
Project Objectives
- Gain a more comprehensive overview of the knowledge generated by EU funded marine research and make it more accessible to end-users
- Review research outputs and identify Knowledge Outputs with the potential to impact end-users
- To pilot the innovative MarineTT Knowledge Management and Transfer evaluation mechanism to identify the research outcomes with the most potential for exploitation.
- To develop tailor-made knoweldge transfer strategies to ensure uptake and impact of knowledge for end-users.
Methodology
The MarineTT Knowledge Analysis Methodology is a conceptual appraoch that does not rely on the publication of research project results and deliverables but instead focuses on the idenification of individual Knowledge Outputs (or key learning from research). The Methodology is comprised of three distinct steps:
- Collect & Understand: relevant projects were identified and kKowledge Outputs captured during the dedicated online MarineTT survey
- Analyse & Consult: Internal Validation of the Knowledge Outputs fololowed by eternal expert validation and review
- Transfer & Connect: Development of tailor-made transfer strategies for specific Knowledge Outputs to identified end-users
Results
- Developed and trialled an innovation Knowledge Management concept which can be used to process Knowledge Outputs resulting in more accessible knowledge for wider exploitation.
- Created a new approach based on targeted Knowledge Transfer which identifies the end-users of the knowledge and develops transfer plans based on their preferences and capacities.
- Increased access to marine research knowledge through the refinement and improvement of the EurOcean European Marine Research Funded Projects infobase which now provides information on knowledge generated by EU funded marine research projects.
Impact
- Created a functional Knowledge Management and Knowledge Transfer tool that when implemented by researchers can be used to ensure increased value creation from research.
- Identified barriers between the knowledge generators and the knowledge users and potential ways to overcome these barriers.
