.png)
For the first time in ASTP history, Special Interest Groups (SIGs) organised their own workshops as part of the Annual Conference programme—an exciting step that highlights the growing influence of our communities within the wider knowledge transfer (KT) ecosystem.
At the 25th Annual Conference in Vilnius, SIGs brought practical insight, peer learning, and fresh momentum to the forefront of the event. From structured workshops to informal exchanges, this year’s SIG contributions reflected the diversity and energy of our professional network.
BioMedical SIG: Scaling Up a Rapidly Growing Community
Launched in June 2024, the BioMedical SIG has quickly evolved into an active community of more than 100 KT professionals from 26 countries. Following a successful webinar series, From Bench to Bedside, the Vilnius workshop, moderated by David Silvestre and Julia Gauglitz, brought together 21 participants to:
-
Identify key roadblocks in translating biomedical research into societal impact
-
Propose actions to address these challenges
-
Volunteer to implement selected solutions in the year ahead
This was a session grounded in community commitment and shared ambition.
Spin-off SIG: Strategic Insights from the NAAC Report
With a full room of 52 participants, the Spin-off SIG hosted an in-depth discussion on the findings from the NAAC report. Facilitated by Sally Cudmore, Michael Karle, and Florian Kirschenhofer, the session focused on:
-
Institutional approaches to IP transfer
-
Emerging spin-off-friendly terms
-
Best practices from across Europe
Lively engagement underscored the importance of these themes for the KT community at large.
SHAPE SIG: From Challenges to Action in SSH Valorisation
Moderated by Frida Koslowski and supported by the SHAPE Impact Kollektiv, the SHAPE SIG hosted a practical session with 32 participants. Together, they:
-
Analysed real cases from the social sciences, humanities, and arts (SHAPE)
-
Explored different valorisation strategies
-
Tackled common project-level challenges
The session reinforced the value of peer collaboration in non-STEM domains.
Digital Innovations SIG: Deepening the Conversation
The Digital Innovations SIG (DI SIG) welcomed over 40 participants to a hands-on workshop led by Sigmar Lampe, Annemieke de Raad, and Marcelo Estrella. Participants explored:
-
Business models
-
Open source licensing
-
Data valorisation
-
Know-how
Working in topic-based groups, attendees shared case studies, developed best practice recommendations, and exchanged insights in a World Café format. This session built on conversations launched in Sevilla and set the stage for continued discussion through upcoming webinars and ASTP Teams channels.
Legal SIG: Strengthening Collaboration Through Better Agreements
As part of the main conference programme, the Legal SIG hosted the parallel session Agreement Alchemy – Turning Collaboration into Success. Facilitated by Isabella Longoni and Olga Larionova, the 49 participants:
-
Worked through a real-life case study
-
Drafted sample collaboration agreements
-
Shared key points in a final plenary
The session offered practical tools to support stronger research partnerships.
Other SIG Highlights: EDI, Agrifood, Directors’ Forum, CCI, and AI4KT
In addition to the formal workshops, several other SIGs contributed to the Annual Conference in different formats:
-
EDI SIG: Coordinator Anji Miller presented at the Knowledge Stock Exchange, announcing a new webinar series and a dedicated platform for advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in KT.
-
Agrifood SIG: Andrew Carlin presented during the same session, gauging interest in relaunching and coordinating the SIG, and inviting members to contribute to shaping its future direction.
-
Directors’ Forum: The traditional Directors’ Forum Dinner brought together institutional leaders. A major highlight was the announcement of a new Board role—Vice President Directors—to be carried forward by Jorn Erselius, ensuring stronger representation of directors in ASTP’s governance.
-
Connect and Communicate with Impact (CCI) SIG and AI4KT SIG: While they didn’t host formal events, coordinators Eva Van Doren, Anneke Kenens (CCI), Brechtje Vreenegoor, and Nestor Rodriguez (AI4KT) were active throughout the conference, gathering input and building connections for future activities.
Get Involved
Interested in joining a SIG or learning more about their activities?
Explore ASTP’s Special Interest Groups and be part of the growing conversation.