Unlocking MarineKnowledge

Overview of the MarineTT Initiative

Dr. Gill Marmelstein

AquaTT Scientific Project Officer

RAC Coordination Meeting – Brussels 21st February 2012

MarineTT – In Brief• Type of Funding Scheme: Coordination

and Support Action (supporting)• Work programme topics addressed:

ENV.2009.5.1.0.2 - Knowledge transfer and uptake of EU research results

• Partners:• Budget: €782,000• Duration: 30m (Feb 2010 – July 2012)

Partnership

(Coordinator) – a specialist in marine-related scientific knowledge management and transfer activities

(Partner) – manages an Online Portal which is a focal point for Marine Science and Technology Information on marine research infrastructures & RTD projects

Policy Drivers“We need to get more innovation

out of our research. Cooperation between the worlds of science and the world of business must be

enhanced, obstacles removed and incentives put in place.”

Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative Innovation Union COM(2010) 546 final

Timeliness of MarineTT• There is a demand to show demonstrable

impact from EC-funded research

• EC is looking for improved systems and methodologies for knowledge capture and transfer

• MarineTT is a pilot, where we intend to provide new methodologies, tools, insights and measurable impact

EC RTD funding has different target user groups

To help facilitate and accelerate the commercial application of research results (industry)

To help support evidence-based policy making (policy makers)

To help inform and direct further research (research community)

How is MarineTT different?• Change of focus:

Promotion of research projects

Identification of individual “Knowledge Outputs”

• The clustering, analysis and validation of “Knowledge Output” potential

• Customised Knowledge Transfer through appropriate positioning of Knowledge Outputs in the value chain (end user focused)

• Measuring the outcome of Knowledge Transfer and Impact(s)

MarineTT Definition

What is a “Knowledge Output”

A "Knowledge Output" is the term used to describe a unit of knowledge that has been generated during a scientific project. It is not limited to de-novo or pioneering discoveries but may also include new methodologies/ processes, adaptations, insights, alternative applications of prior know-how or knowledge

Knowledge differs from data or information in that new knowledge may be created from existing knowledge by extension of logic.

Phases of MarineTT

1. Knowledge Collection

3. Knowledge Transfer

2. Knowledge Analysis

Phase 1Knowledge Collection

Phase 1: Knowledge Collection Process1. Identification of marine-related projects

• Official Source – EC CORDIS online database

• Criteria and supporting elements (panel of EurOcean experts, project coordinators)

• Quality Control (EC websites and official documents)

2. Collection of information – 2 main types and sources:

• Standard Project Details CORDIS Project Fact Sheet, project websites

• Knowledge Outputs Project Coordinators complete online survey

3. Validation by Project Coordinators

Main FiguresTotal

Number

FP6 projects in CORDIS 10.490

FP6 MARINE projects in EurOcean MaP Infobase 470

FP6 MARINE Marie Curie Actions in EurOcean_MaP Infobase

147

FP6 MARINE Projects Surveyed 323

EurOcean_MaP Infobase

with FP6 marine projectsin place

FP6 Non-Priority Instrumentsfor MarineTT

Marie Curie Actions:Less potential for knowledge transfer (scholarships for individual researchers)

Collection Process

Standard Project Details

in place

Knowledge Outputs

Online Survey

Identification & Collection of marine projects & KOs:

FP6 figures

Identification & Collection of marine projects & KOs:

FP7 figures

FP7 Main FiguresTotal

Number

FP7 projects in CORDIS (31-05-2010) 6.680

FP7 projects reviewed (excluding non-priority areas)

3.017

FP7 MARINE projects identified/surveyed 184

FP7 Priority Areas for MarineTT

Identification Process

FP7 Non-Priority Programmesfor MarineTT

People & Ideas Programmes:Less potential for knowledge transfer (scholarships for individual researchers)

Fission & Fusion Programmes:Atomic Energy-related (~NO MARINE)

Collection Process

Standard Project Details

CORDIS

Knowledge Outputs

Online Survey

Phase 2Knowledge Analysis

Phase 2

4 Comprehensive Steps to Analyse Knowledge:

1.Primary Analysis

2.Internal Validation

3.Validation by Project Co-ordinators

4.Validation by Marine Experts

MarineTT Phase 2: Knowledge Analysis

Knowledge Analysis Process1. Primary Analysis:• Review of Coordinator survey & any additional material (publications, website, results,

etc.)• Completion of missing information for compilation of Knowledge Output Tables (KOT)• Interaction with coordinator for clarifications

2. Internal Analysis :• Proofing of KOT content• Primary Assessment of KOs• Clustering of thematic related projects/KOs• Finalisation of KOTs for External Validation Phase

3. Project Coordinator Review :• Approval of revised completed KOTs by project coordinators

4. External Expert Assessment of Marine Thematic Groups:• Desk top study review of KOTs• Validation Meeting for each thematic group (Fisheries, Aquaculture, Water Resource

Management, Environmental Monitoring, Ocean Energy, Climate Change)• Identification of high potential outputs for Transfer and Uptake

All Knowledge Outputs were collected in a “Knowledge Output Table”

Knowledge Outputs Selection Process

53

Knowledge Output DistributionMarine Theme Number of

Projects Number of Knowledge Outputs in Theme

Aquaculture 31 121

Fisheries 23 132

Water/Resource Management 36 154

Ocean Energy 16 42

Climate Change 16 63

Environmental Monitoring 24 80

Total 147 592

Stock Assessment

Participatory research

New gears

Consumer Health

MPAs

Fisheries Management

FP6 & 7 Fisheries Projects – Research topics by area of investigation

FP6 & 7 Fisheries Projects – Regional involvement

Step 4: External Expert Validation

• Expert groups established to validate the Knowledge Outputs:

• Each group consisted of at least three experts; • policy expert• industry expert• RTD expert

• Each group carried out a desk study, followed by a one day group validation meeting

• External Validation was an essential step in analysing the Knowledge Outputs

Key Observations on Phase 2• Analysis can only be done based on what is in the

Knowledge Output descriptions (limitation of exercise)• Initial indications ---> relevant knowledge to shift into the

Knowledge Transfer phase • Innovative Knowledge Analysis Methodology developed -

adaptable to any discipline/field of research• There is cross fertilisation between domains

(e.g. Environmental monitoring outputs of relevance to aquaculture/fisheries)

Phase 3Knowledge Transfer

Dissemination vs. Knowledge Transfer

Dissemination: one-way, distribute knowledge, assume audience will take up and use

Knowledge Transfer: - two-way, iterative process. - Requires engagement and networking.- Understand primary end-users and tailor make transfer to

ensure successful delivery of knowledge. - Measure if there is an impact

You need to know why you are transferring the knowledge, what is the relevance to the end-users, what would you like them to do?

Knowledge Transfer Case Studies

• A major objective of MarineTT is to demonstrate that customised knowledge transfer is more effective than “classical” dissemination

• 15 Knowledge Transfer case studies will be taken forward on “high potential” outputs as identified by experts in Phase 2

• Measurement of transfer and uptake of knowledge are integrated into the studies

Knowledge Transfer “Due Diligence”• Approach coordinators of high potential outputs to establish

willingness to help in MarineTT Knowledge Transfer• Establish exact details on “Knowledge Output”• Clarify Intellectual Property rights (IP) • Assess willingness, ability of Project Coordinator (or owner of

output?) to work with us• Identify exact “Primary End User(s)” and assess capacity for

uptake• Identify if knowledge can be clustered or stand-alone for transfer• Identify suitable technical level, medium and channel for transfer

Measuring Impact

Outcome of Transfer

- amount of participants, feedback, surveys, measures of transfer activity etc.

Impact of Transfer

MarineTT will measure

- next action taken

- indicators of follow on impact down value chain

MarineTT Knowledge Gate

MarineTT Knowledge Gate

7/6/2011 MarineTT: Added Value and Benefits

An infobase of EU funded marine projects Provides information and statistics on funding, countries, institutions involved in marine research

A Knowledge Management tool A searchable Knowledge Outputs Listing

• One central location for searching – with links to projects & project documents

• Describes each Knowledge Output in clear language• Sortable by types of knowledge (prototypes, software tools,

products)• Suggests potential Next/End Users of the Knowledge Output

DEMONSTRATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE GATE

Next Steps

Next Steps• Complete Knowledge Transfer Case Studies• Attend major events to showcase project methodology

and results of Knowledge Transfer

Two Major Events Scheduled

1) MarineTT Environment Workshop (April 2012)

2) Knowledge Management Workshop (June 2012)

- Bring together experts in Knowledge Management to discuss state of the art in field related to EC projects

- Provide insights and recommendations on the way Knowledge Management could be improved

Conclusions

Some Key Insights from MarineTT

- COLLECTION- The way knowledge is managed and stored at the end of

projects could be improved- It is possible to share knowledge without compromising IP

- ANALYSIS- A multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder team is able to assess the

potential applications of Knowledge Outputs and correctly identify the “next users” of the knowledge

- TRANSFER- Dissemination Knowledge Transfer (machine gun vs. sniper)- By taking a customised approach focusing on the “next user”, it

is possible to transfer knowledge effectively and measure impact

Conclusions- The MarineTT methodology has attracted major interest and has

already been adopted by other EC projects and is being piloted at a national level in Norway

- By using a systematic process (MarineTT methodology) it is possible to collect, analyse and transfer relevant knowledge to relevant users who can take it up and use it

- The experience gained from the process has identified structural challenges in the way knowledge is currently managed in EC projects and we hope to shortly publish our findings and recommendations on how to improve the system and thereby make RTD investment measurably impactful

- Please help us develop suitable resources by providing feedback and informing your members

Role of RAC’s• Please make your members aware of the

MarineTT initiative and resources• Help us to transfer relevant knowledge to your

members within case studies (act as multipliers)• We would be happy to present to individual

RACs• Please have a look at the “Knowledge Gate” and

give us feedback as users• Any other feedback?

Contact us

Thank you for your attention

Email: gill@aquatt.ie

Website: www.marinett.eu

Tel: +353 1 644 9008

Disclaimer

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no 244164. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.