2022 was a remarkable a year for EU matters concerning knowledge and technology transfer. The most recent EU policies and initiatives are opening up new opportunities but also posing challenges to our profession.

ASTP is ready to support its members in a time when EU institutions acknowledge the prominent role of knowledge transfer offices as channels for knowledge valorisation but at the same time request to move away from the traditional concept of knowledge transfer and IPR management towards the wider concept of the valorisation of intellectual assets.

Digitalisation, Open Science and Open Innovation have changed the ecosystem in which universities operate and we, as professionals supporting knowledge transfer and valorisation, need to be equipped with new skills and competences.

In the recently published “Guiding principles for knowledge valorisation” we were pleased to read

“There should be continued and up-scaled investment in the development of knowledge transfer and brokerage professionals and facilitators who act as intermediaries between relevant research and innovation actors”

This is very much in line with the mission of our Association.

Further trends are emerging, such as the evolution of the research assessment systems in Europe to consideration knowledge valorisation and the need to “define the borders” of knowledge and technology transfer within the broader community of research managers that is actively engaged in defining a roadmap for their profession.

In the past year we have set up a group of volunteers actively working on EU matters in the Europe Committee, who work alongside a dedicated Vice President, Europe within the ASTP Board. We are committed to strengthening ASTP’s position in Europe and advocating for our profession. Synergistic collaborations have also been established with other associations representing universities and research organisations from around Europe and we are working together to a become significant stakeholder with more EU institutions.

We are launching this first newsletter with the aim of keeping you up-to-date on the most recent developments in the EU arena which may affect our daily work, but we also hope to stimulate discussions and further engage the ASTP members in EU-related matters; to build on the momentum and, together, make our voice heard at the EU level.

Very best wishes for a successful and impactful 2023!

 

Alessandra Baccigotti and the ASTP Europe Committee