Three objectives

Knowledge utilisation is – besides education and research – the third core task of the UM. It focuses on three objectives: the development or improvement of new products, services and processes with an economic target (knowledge exploitation), the application of research results in the public and social domain, such as education, care, and culture, and the communication about science, for example media presentations, interviews, expert panels and lectures.  

Hands-on

In the IMPACT COURSE participants learn how they can eventually translate their research results to concrete economic or societal relevance. The course consists of two substantive modules and three hands-on modules. The participants acquire knowledge not only about intellectual property, collaboration and entrepreneurship, but also about the use of science communication. Supported by the UM department of Marketing & Communications they learn to write teasers about their research and to present these in a pitch. Both during and after the course the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) staff in collaboration with colleagues from Brightlands will organize follow up actions to realise the impact plans.

Positive development

In the first module, rector Rianne Letschert discussed her own experience of knowledge utilisation in her role as researcher: “When I conducted my PhD research, nobody asked about its impact. That has changed over the past ten to fifteen years. This is a positive development, because it had added value for my work. I am now much more aware of the relevance of involving parties from outside academics at an early stage in drafting new research ideas. I also started to enjoy science communication that helps me bring across my passion for research and education to a wider audience and to interpret the social debate on themes of which I have expert knowledge.”

Course participants react positively to the first meeting:

“This course will teach me to better explain what the value of my research is for society.”

“The interfaculty setting allows me to meet researchers from other disciplines. That teaches me to look at my research from another perspective.”

Societal impact

The IMPACT COURSE is conceived and developed by Ivo George of KTO, the UM department that supports researchers in alpha and gamma sciences in utilising their knowledge on behalf of society. Jan Cobbenhagen, director of KTO: “With this course we offer our scientists concrete tools to translate research to concrete contributions to dealing with social issues. Realising social impact is leading in this process. And where possible we will also strive for a fair financial return.”