involving external stakeholders in setting up and...

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Innsbruck Involving external stakeholders in setting up and maintaining an impactful research program Priv.Doz.Dr. Sara Matt-Leubner, RTTP, Head of Transferstelle Wissenschaft-Wirtschaft-Gesellschaft = Transfer Center for Science, Economy & Society

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Innsbruck

Involving external stakeholders in setting up and maintaining an

impactful research programPriv.Doz.Dr. Sara Matt-Leubner, RTTP,

Head of Transferstelle Wissenschaft-Wirtschaft-Gesellschaft

= Transfer Center for Science, Economy & Society

University of Innsbruck - Facts

(Founded in 1669)

Data 2016:

4.650 employees (3.206 researchers)

28.290 students (more than 11.000 international)

Budget: 266 Mio €

third party funding 49 Mio

from industry 10 Mio

1.064 third party funded projects

3.563 publications

1.800 bachelor degrees

2.000 master degrees

227 doctor degrees

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16 faculties (78 departments)

Faculty of Architecture

Faculty of BiologyFaculty of Chemistry and PharmacyFaculty of Economics and StatisticsFaculty of EducationFaculty of Engineering Science formerly Faculty of Civil EngineeringFaculty of Geo- and Atmospheric SciencesFaculty of Humanities 1 (Philosophy and History)Faculty of Humanities 2 (Language and Literature)Faculty of LawFaculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and PhysicsFaculty of Psychology and Sport ScienceInnsbruck University School of ManagementSchool of Catholic TheologySchool of Education School of Political Science and Sociology

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What we do (extract of the mission statement of the University of Innsbruck)

Based upon the academic ideal of a comprehensive university offering all disciplines, the breadth and

depth of academic fields at the University of Innsbruck drive research and teaching while serving

society. Research-driven teaching is the basis for leading our students to outstanding achievements in

their daily life and professional career. It is also the foundation of higher education and develops future

academics. Despite its regional roots, the University of Innsbruck is ready to compete internationally

with other higher education institutions for the brightest minds and ideas while collaborating with

other universities.

As society continues to rapidly evolve, knowledge generated at the University significantly benefits

everyone. It gives guidance but also promotes a culture of scrutiny; it explains connections and leads

to new questions. Our educational aim is to strengthen critical faculty and judgement and to improve

the quality of life of individuals and society as a whole.

In cooperation with cultural, political, economic and civil society institutions we participate responsibly

in public discourse, thereby creating new perspectives for a positive development of society. In

addition, we contribute to the self-fulfillment of everyone at the University and facilitate co-

determination at all levels. We stay in contact with our alumni and strive to inspire them to the concept

of lifelong learning.

The “Transfer Center for Science, Economy & Society” is the dedicated unit to

engage in collaborations with industry and society, knowledge transfer to

society, spin off support, and equity management as well as alumni work and

career services.

The fundamental reasons to combine these activities were:

(i) to define one clear interface between the university on the one hand and

industry and society on the other hand and

(ii) to align activities as well as exploit the synergies those activities offer.

In addition the UIBK is also owner of a University holding, which currently has

shares in 16 commercial spin offs and 10 strategic companies.

Transfer Center for Science, Economy & Society(established 01.01.2016)

Mission of the Transferstelle

Enhance the reputation of the university of being an important

partner for economy and society.

Offer services which help economy and society to exploit the

huge knowledge pool the university represents.

Seite 7

• support SMEs without their own research facilities: offer possibility to work on

innovative ideas with the support and infrastructure of the university

• initiate and develop projects with external stakeholders- co-creation

• exploitation/commercialisation of university know how

• spin off support and management of shares - University Holding

• support HR department of companies in recruiting (career service for

companies)

• provide career services to students (PhDs) to enhance their employability

• enhance and professionalize the alumni-network

• professionalize the fundraising activities (in particular new endowed professor

ships sponsored by industry)

• found new formats of intense exchange with external and internal

stakeholders

What we do

in short: we initiate and pursue initiatives toengage with the „outside world“

Seite 8

Why is this necessary

Universities (in Europe) are primarily financed with taxpayers money, which enablesindependent research and guarentees the „freedom of research“

BUT: the taxpayers do no longer/not yet sufficiently appreciate the role ofuniversities

So we all need to demonstrate the impact of science on society.

Universities and research institutions produce plenty of

new knowledge, but

… it is a very long and hard way from a good idea or an invention to the

product or service on the market and for the public good

Do not expect that universities “produce” or “invent” market readysolutions and neither will results automatically be beneficial forsociety

Why we do what we do

To enhance the chances that universities participate in the process of

creating real value and impact based on science we have to do more

than research…

„Knowledge Transfer“ is a comprehensive service

… for scientists

… as well as companies

… as well as society

we need to appoint someone to deal with this process who

understands all aspects of it

Involving external stake holders...

in setting up and maintaining an

impactful research program

.... or simply: to enhance the

impact of university

Best practice 1: Endowed professorships

Between 2007 and 2017 24 new professors were employed via endowed

professorships at the university of Innsbruck.

These long term collaborations with the donators establish close relations (we

meet them at least twice a year to report) and yields to stronger bonds with

external bodies i.e. they also tell us what they really need and expect from us.

In addition we can afford to hire new experts in scientifc fields, which are of high

relevance to the donators and thus have major impact on the economic

development of our region.

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strategic planning of lines of research+

investments in relations to local industry=

win-win

Page 13

Example 1

The new endowed chair „Data Science“ is funded by Swarovski, GE, TiNetz,

IKB and the industrial association. representing several more industrial

partners.

All donators need experts in fields like big data analysis, data mining,

modelling and simulation, ..., and together they can „afford“ a new professor.

Page 14

Example: Research Studio (FFG) Smart Technical Embroideries (2011-2015)

Together with Smart Embroideries Austria, an association of 16embroidery companies, the team develops new technologies, products andapplications for embroidered structures in the technical field.

Result/Impact of this project:

Most embroidery companies survived despite the lack of traditional customers andapplications!

Innovative projects followed, likeEmbroidered electrodes for high-performance Li-ion batteries

(3D-LiB)Textile Competence Center Vorarlberg (TCCV), Start: 01 April 2017

and two successful spin offs are active on the market!

Best practice 2:collaborative projects

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Spin off TEXIBLE

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real products for real people!

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Spin off ACTICELL

ACTICELL develops chemical procedures for the innovative surface treatment of cellulosic material.

ACTICELL thinks outside the box to create tailor-made solutions for manufacturers of denim fabricsand denim clothes.

What makes the products unique is that they are all 100% safe, non-toxic, and environ-mentally friendly, which makes them the exception to the rule in today’s industry.

Page 18

Winner in the category Environment and 3. in the overall Jungunternehmerpreis 2017!

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2. BMVIT endowed chair "AdvancedManufacturing" (01.04.2016 – 31.03.2021)

The BMVIT endowed chair "Advanced Manufacturing" was established to broaden theresearch competencies of the institute in both basic and applied research. Apart from theexisting, very strong research areas in textile chemistry and technology, additional researchfields in technical textiles, textile composites, and polymer materials are being establishedand developed at the institute.

Based on strong funding from BMVIT, University of Innsbruck, the Government ofVorarlberg, EFRE, and associated industrial partners, one of the major focuses is expansionof the research competencies and infrastructure for a deeper cooperation betweenacademia and industry.

Involving external stake holders...

-> result -> endowed professorship!

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Shareholding portfolio of the University of Innsbruck currently includes 15 spin off companies

we really want to put the knowledge and results into practice!

Uni-Holding

2PCS10%

Biotreat8%

Onlim5,95%

Acticell6,12%

Grid-IT10%

QE Lab10%

AHMS5%

Hydro-IT8%

SuperTEX13%

Bio4gas16%

Laserdata5%

Texible10%

WeMatch10%

Txture7%

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Best practice 3:

unusual formats of engaging with the public

It is not simply about racing, instead…

Formula SAE is a student design competition organized by SAE International. Each student team designs, builds and tests a prototype based on a series of

rules, whose purpose is both ensuring on-track safety (the cars are driven by the students themselves) and promoting clever problem solving....

In its first year the CTM team (lead university of Innsbruck) build up a racing car with a sophisticated 4 WD electric power train. The team consists of 35 students mainly from the engineering field.

Campus Tirol Motorsport (CTM)

Impact of CTM

Holistic learning of students (beyond curriculum, beyond scope, practical skills, soft skills, teaming, tasks above)

Learning in our organisation (unconventional approach, speed of project development, adaptions, consulting and service very welcome und actively used by the student group, out of the box, internal coordination towards common goal)

PublicityPositive spill-over effects …. this project and its positive spirit reflects on the University Attractive story/project with simple perception patterns cool project,

cool young and engaged students, cool university

a lot of Publicity / PR on several channels (social media, press and media, TV, radio, internal PR,…)

The project triggers cooperation between stakeholders of various higher education organisations, with external promoters and with entrepreneurial sponsors

The perception of the public regarding university receives the dimension of innovation, dynamics, etc.

Especially companies experience university’s willingness and readiness (surprise…?) for applied and practical work

Further impact by involving external stake holders...

Further benefits

Recruiting

Companies sponsoring the team heavily connect future employeesUniversity recruits future students, especially in the engineering field – theattractiveness of the university increases as potential educational institution

InnCubator:

CTM works in and with our InnCubator (importantly and accidently one of thefirst and most practical projects there) to really build the racing car (welding,electronics, practical experience from craftsmen, teambuilding withpractioners)

Many members of the newly established “Förderkreis 1669” were and will beinvolved in CTM ( and they like it!)

Transferstelle receives many opportunities to start more intensive collaborationwith companies, especially the sponsoring ones, e.g. ALPEX (R&D service,bionics, new sponsoring of team, new master or dissertation project) and world-direct (student recruiting and business investments into spin-offs)

Our vision:

In 2019 we celebrate our 350 yearsanniversary of the University andthen every child in Tyrol (our region)should know what a university isand that many interesting things aregoing on in there.

So we made a childrens book and willgive it to all kindergardens (470) inTyrol for free.

Expected and envisaged impact:

University is perceived by the publicas an interesting and open placewhich offers a lot of competences andnot only as a serious institution forhighly skilled scientists.

unusual formats of engaging with the public

unusual formats of engaging with the public

In the beginning research on rural depopulation is being done at the Department of

Geography, University of Innsbruck.

The group managed to receive funding from the national funding agency (FWF).

The group worked for three years across the alpine region and visited very remote

settlements in several countries and regions. In a qualitative approach the group gathered

information from the local inhabitants.

The surprising result in short: amenity migration can counteract depopulation.

Researchers spend a lot if time carrying out interviews and end up getting to know people

better. One is tempted to say that the discussion after the scientific work might have

been even more fruitful. For instance, the Innsbruck geographers got to know one of those

amenity migrants better.

He is the filmmaker. And this was the beginning of their common and exciting journey.

The researchers findings matched pretty much with the artists observations. To create a film

was an exciting approach and something new and certainly far beyond the research code of

practice. The idea in the beginning was a interview-based documentary production. But, the

piece turned out not to become a documentary.

Instead, a film with artistic approach communicates the findings of observations

and research.

Impact

Our research results are theme of a movie, which is now taking part in several worldwide film festivals (also A-level festivals!)

We had the chance to to realize the premiere in Innsbruck at the local Nature film festival in October 2017.After the film was shown we had the opportunity to organize a panel discussion (including professors from our university).

Over two hundred visitors came to see the film (which was on its own already a big success)

In the end credits of the movie the logo of UIBK prominently appeared.

On top, the panel discussion was very entertaining and a perfect opportunity to discuss this film with the general public.

The research topic of the local geographers and a rather new phenomenon in the alpine region was put onto the agenda. Maybe this will help to promote the idea and realize more research in this field. In the best case scenario it will help to put this new knowledge into practice!

more impact

The film makers get a lot more publicity since the Innsbruck event, see below.

In the instance of the Swiss premiere, organised by two different organizations

with “conflicting” interests. The same format (presentation and discussion) was

chosen. With only one newspaper publication the Bern-people managed an

audience of 250 people, two discussion rounds and two parallel public

screenings.

Again, the research topic was put onto the agenda and a public discourse was

opened.

The filmmakers and organizers in Switzerland were happy about it and especially

about clearing their dissent.

More festivals will bring more publicity and discussion on an interesting and

challenging theme.

"unforgettable images … evocative, informative, poetic … highly relevant"

Ambassador Markus Reiterer – Alpine Convention

Director: Jean-Luc Godardin the same category at the same festival!

In conclusion

we have a comprehensive approach to knowledge transfer andengagement with the public and continuity in the development

we do (nearly) everything to improve our relations to the outside world

we also experiment with different and unusual formats

we want to develop a strong network and ecosystem for start ups, technology transfer, regional development, research partnerships,...

we try to offer as much service and support as possible and via different formats (for scientists, students but the general public aswell)

we hope to improve the reputation of our university to be an importantand useful institution for the positive development of our society

Thanks for your attention!

We look forward to collaborate with you!

Contact:

Priv.Doz.Dr. Sara Matt-LeubnerLeitungTransferstelle Wissenschaft-Wirtschaft-GesellschaftUniversität InnsbruckICT-Technikerstraße 21aA-6020 Innsbruck

Telefon: +43 512 507 32200Mobil: +43 664 4236136email: [email protected]: www.uibk.ac.at/transferstelle