Barend Van der Meulen ECIS Annual Presentation

Transcription

1 The Valorization Wars and how to survive the trenches Barend van der Meulen ECIS Annual conference

2 2 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Statements The need to valorize is inherent to science Valorization is becoming part of the competition game, which up till now has been focused on excellence Valorization requires new forms of organizing academic knowledge production 2

3 3 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen

4 Barend van der Meulen 4 Alumnivereniging Bijzondere Chemici

5 Barend van der Meulen 5 Alumnivereniging Bijzondere Chemici

6 6 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen

7 7 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen

8 8 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Three 17C topsectoren // Grand Challenges in Florence Shipping Warfare Time and related scientific priorities: Astronomy, Navigation, Mathematics and Physics But objects of science and experiments became also objects of power and entertainment

9 9 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen

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11 11 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Historical pattern Governments invest in science (knowledge production) for war With the progress of knowledge it also becomes an activity for economy and welfare and for its own sake. Other examples US Civil War and establishment of the National Academy of Sciences in C development of Statistics: nation state building; food security; health and sickness; 20C atomic research and atomic energy. Governments do not invest in science because they want to know, but because they want to win

12 12 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen and it still goes on Researchers claim additional research funds because of international competition and the economy: we are good in research X Research X is important for the economy Other countries (Japan, US, now China) are taking over the lead We have to invest in research X The best strategy to recover from the economic crisis is to invest in education and research. Scientific research is the source of innovation.

13 13 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen But compare.. The best strategy to recover from the economic crisis is to invest in education and research. Scientific research is the source of innovation. vs. Economic criteria for funding of scientific research are contraproductive. It can take more than 20 years before the results of basic science can be applied. If we add the two statements..

14 14 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Valorization Valorization is part of the science policy contract between government and science.

15 15 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Valorisation, or. societal impact societal relevance (SEP) Knowledge use (dept. of Public Health) (NWO) dragen kennis over ten behoeve van de maatschappij (WHW) knowledge circulation (WRR Naar een lerende economie ) third mission (UK) Responsible Research and Innovation (EC, Horizon 2020) knowledge exchange technology or knowledge transfer

16 16 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Valorization as policy 2005 Valorization as third task of universities, next to higher education and scientific research Valorisation agenda: convenant between fifteen organisations and ministries. New National Valorization Committee (which committed organisational boards to valorisation agenda) 2009 Societal relevance as part of the quality assurance of universities (SEP) Valorization regulation MinOCW en MinEZ But something has changed..

17 17 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Government and science contract Funding relation as a contract relation: Government funds because it expects that scientific research will have some benefit. Researchers are willing to do research, but have their own scientific/professional goals; Information asymmetry about scientific opportunities, efforts of scientists and the results; Governmant can monitor but perfect monitoring is costly.; In other words: principal-agent relatie

18 18 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Principal Agent as a Game Utility functions: U(p) = x(outcome) - f(ee) - c(osts monitoring) V(a) = y(outcome) + f(ee) - e(efforts) Strategies principal: trust or monitor agent: comply or defect Unstable relation!

19 19 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen State space diagram (Ymax+f-e) Ymax D/T For every combination of strategies one of the players can improve by changing the strategy (Ymin+f-e) C/T (Ymin+f*max-e) Ymin C/M (Ymax+f*min-e) D/M (Xmin-f) (Xmin-f*min-c) Xmin (Xmax-f) (Xmax-f*max-c) Xmax C f f*max C f*min

20 20 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Three basic solutions 1. Endless Frontier Game 2. Consensus Game 3. Competition Game Peer review: low monitoring costs Interests principal = (long term) outcomes for agents Critical issues: well organized peer review principal trusts in long term returns

21 21 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Three basic solutions 1. Endless Frontier Game 2. Consensus Game Principal and agents negotiate about objectives Principal objectives and agents interests converge Critical issue: Consensus should be real consensus Protects vesting interests Reward needed for co-operative strategies

22 22 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Valorization as part of the Consensus game Innovation policy disconnected from science policy National innovation programs for specific fields Valorization agenda agreed by organisations Valorization committee of board members Valorization regulation allocates seed money for overhead activities, not for research

23 23 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Three basic solutions 1. Endless Frontier Game 2. Consensus Game 3. Competition Game Principal has articulated interests and has defined performances Differentiation between good science (winners) and bad science (losers) Winning agents willing to participate Pareto optimum: Comply and monitor

24 24 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen State space of competition game (Ymax+f-e) D/T Ymax (Ymin+f*max-e) C/M (Ymin+f-e) C/T Ymin (Ymax+f*min-e) D/M (Xmin-f) Xmin (Xmax-f) (Xmin-f*min-c) (Xmax-f*max-c) Xmax C f f*max C f*min

25 25 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Valorization is entering the competition game New Standard Evaluation protocol more stringent on excellence and on societal relevance NWO grant system Stronger connection between competitive funding and national priorities Valorization section is becoming more important in open competitions. ( Kennisbenutting ) 25

26 26 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Kennisbenutting / knowledge use NWO Think in early stage about potential contribution and users so as to involve potential users before, during and after the proposed research Describe forms of knowledge use that are appropriate for the type of research you propose The researcher does not need to take all steps; however, for successful knowledge use it is important that the researcher takes the first step

27 27 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Valorization is entering the competition game New Standard Evaluation protocol more stringent on excellence and on societal relevance NWO grant system Stronger connection between competitive funding and national priorities Valorization section is becoming more important in open competitions. ( Kennisbenutting ) EU Horizon 2020 Importance of funding increases Within Grand Challenges part focus on Responsible Research and Innovation 27

28 28 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Engagement of all societal actors in the research and innovation process: Anticipation on societal outcomes Inclusion (public engagement, co-production) Responsiveness (stakeholders, values, context) Reflexivity (Stilgoe, 2013)

29 29 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Statements The need to valorize is inherent to science Valorization is becoming part of the competition game, which up till now has been focused on excellence Valorization requires new forms of organizing academic knowledge production 29

30 30 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Valorization: some definitions Knowledge valorisation is the process of value creation out of knowledge, by making suitable or avaliable for economic and/or societal use and by translating it in competetive products, services, processes and new economic activity. Knowledge valorisation is a complex and iterative process in which interaction between academics and non-peers - at all stages of knowledge development - is important. Process which makes that scientific knowledge can be used in practices. Valorization is making research results suitable and avalaible in order to increase the chance that others can use it. By valorizing scientists add value to their research Valorisation refers to the meaning or significance of research (results) for others and the vision or strategy to achieve this.

31 31 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Seven ineffective valorization strategies 1. Innovation is important. My research is about innovation. So my innovation research is important. 2. Innovation in SMEs is a problem. My research is about innovation in SMEs. My results will solve the problem. 3. Finish all scientific work and then start to think about a possible user; 4. Assume that your results are immediately accepted as scientific knowledge 5. Assume that users are primarily led by scientific knowledge. Don t be interested in what drives there strategies. 6. Tell others what your research means for them. Don t ask. 7. Inform a user a day before the application deadline that he is included as such in your application.

32 32 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen What then? 1. Valorisation in not obvious, nor inherent to a theme Climate, sustainability, governance, innovation 2. Valorisation is not just dissemination or sending information A design or model, policy advice, provide understanding 3. Valorisation is more than asking or working with stakeholders It s about engagement, knowing who your stakeholder is and what your stakeholder needs 4. Valorisation requires a strategy In analogy to and connected with research (specific, concrete) Mission - what do you intend How will you achieve this? With whom?

33 33 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Step I - Relevance of research What opportunities do you see for your research to have an impact on society? Briefly state the objective of your research project (informing policy makers on X; improving models to predict Y; developing and implementing a solution for Z). Discuss specific instances in which your research can be relevant. Identify specific individuals, groups and / or settings for which your research results can be of value. We are not talking about application per se, merely about relevance.

34 34 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Step II - From societal relevance to societal impact Define a societal practice you would like to influence, based on your research. Determine which audience you should reach to influence this practice and why this is the right audience. Prepare an elevator pitch for an additional investment in your research, aimed at valorisation of your knowledge. You have to convince a committee to read your detailed plan. Members include scientists from your field, policy makers and people from industry.

35 35 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Step III - Towards a valorisation strategy Identify your social resources Identify the best ways to reach your goal Combine the results from Part I, II and the first parts of III into a plan. Include a planning as well. But these are individual strategies.

36 36 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen The new challenge From individual strategies to organisational strategies Examples of institutionalised valorization practices Non academic research institutes: TNO, GTI, but also CPB, RIVM, Rathenau Instituut University Hospitals: research (bench to bedside), education, patient care in one organization Additional programs and organisations aimed at knowledge cocreation: TKIs, Climate adaptation programs, Transition programs But hardly any university departments.

37 37 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Questions for ECIS What kind of valorization do you really aim at: step I to III at institute level. Which research within the portfolio has valorization possibilities? If valorization is part of the mission, what activities do you organize to realize it? How to reward valorization efforts / success of ECIS members? Warning: do not start with defining the performance indicators.

38 38 Valorization Wars Barend van der Meulen Statements The need to valorize is inherent to science Valorization is becoming part of the competition game, which up till now has been focused on excellence Valorization requires new forms of organizing academic knowledge production