Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Main areas of interest and priorities of the Focus Group

1. Fostering innovation culture:

The working group members are aware that technology transfer is a rather new concept at their institutes, and therefore not fully expoited. The researchers are not motivated to engage in TT; some institutes do not prioritize technology transfer within their strategies, and it is often not a part of the evaluation. The working group would like to jointly define strategies and concrete methods that would result in innovation culture.

• Strategy – some institutes recently adopted technology transfer strategies, and some are considering it. We would like to jointly monitor the progress and challenges, and adopt lessons learnt;
• Evaluation – including technology transfer metrics into the evaluation of scientists;
• Support – what specific support can be provided to the scientist to increase his/her engagement in technology transfer; and
• Motivation – how to motivate scientists to share their early stage inventions with the technology transfer staff and to be open to research collaboration.

2. Processes:

Various institutes are using different approaches towards the technology transfer process. These are often not effective and not transparent as perceived by the scientists involved in the working group.

• Transparency – how to increase the transparency of the technology transfer process; and
• Efficiency – how to increase the efficiency of the process.

3. Training opportunities:

Identifying the needs for specific training, e.g., scouting practices, motivating researchers, and learning by example (spending short periods in established TTOs), or engaging recognized TT practitioners for one-day workshops.

• Trainings by technology transfer experts; and
• Trainings by working groups members.

4. Information sharing:

Establishing a shared space (Google drive) and regularly uploading potentially useful information related to technology transfer.

• Events;
• Funding opportunities; and
• Best practices.

Focus Group Members 

Focus Group Chair: 

Kateřina Ornerová

Focus Group Co-chair: 

Kristīne Čapase-Jastržembska

Members of the Focus Group: ​