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Strategic Research for SEERAD 2005-2010: Environment, Biology and Agriculture

Objective 2 - Knowledge Transfer and Exploitation

"To improve knowledge and technology transfer from, and public awareness of, the research and its outputs."

The importance of knowledge transfer and the commercialisation of research has risen rapidly in the last few years. ² Much of this interest has focused on the potential for research to underpin wealth creation and build economic growth. This was fully recognised in 'Smart Successful Scotland' and remains important to Scotland's continuing prosperity.

Science based organisations in Scotland are devoting increasing amounts of time and energy to both knowledge transfer and commercialisation. SEERAD Science and Research Group's MRPs compare favourably with the rest of the research community on key indicators such as success in gaining 'Proof of Concept' funding or on return from licensing/patent activity.

Knowledge Transfer

A large amount of the research funded by SEERAD Science and Research Group results in improved knowledge and understanding which in itself may not have a high commercial value. However, such knowledge can lead to improvement in economic stability and improve quality of life across a large sector of the Scottish population. The knowledge transfer necessary to achieve this should continue to be promoted. All of the MRPs contribute significantly to knowledge transfer in a variety of ways such as published outputs in learned journals, specialised publications and the popular press, open days and practical demonstrations and specialised consultancy and advisory activities. SAC in particular has a high profile role with its SEERAD funded education and 'public good' advisory activities.

Commercialisation and Exploitation of Research

Government policy aims to maximise the financial return from company formation for the overall benefit of individual publicly funded institutions. However, research has shown that fewer than half of the UK technology transfer offices cover their costs. A similar situation exists in the US, suggesting that this may not be easy to change. Two main areas have been identified for improvement, one in commercialisation and exploitation mechanisms and the other in encouraging academic/industrial interchange.

The SEERAD Science and Research Group research base is a fertile source of ideas which can be developed into commercial products and processes. Reflecting the policy priorities set out in 'Smart Successful Scotland' the emphasis on identifying and exploiting ideas will continue.

Sharing best practice is now being progressed by a consortium of the commercial arms of the MRPs and others under the guidance of Scottish Enterprise. There can be a lack of awareness among some researchers in the MRPs on the recognition and development of Intellectual Property (IP) potential. Much of this can be addressed by improved training, clear organisation, IP identification and protection policies particularly where the SEERAD MRPs could combine their commercialisation efforts and share resources, facilities and expertise in commercialisation.

There is a continuing need to ensure that the MRPs have access to relevant funding sources. Compared with most Universities, the totality of the SEERAD Science and Research Group funding is small.

The MRPs have been successful in winning funds from such sources (e.g. Scottish Enterprise 'Proof of Concept' awards) and it will be important to continue to access the variety of funding streams available from other UK and Scottish Executive sources (such as SCORE, SEEKIT, SMART and SPUR). These sources of funding and Scottish Enterprise based developments such as the Intermediary Technology Institutes should be the main source of funding for exploitation of IP in future. Only where such sources are not available to the MRPs or where it can be demonstrated that they are at a disadvantage from subsidised competitor sectors will SEERAD Science and Research Group consider making funds available.

Funding

SEERAD Science and Research Group has operated a small budget for knowledge and technology transfer activities over the period of the previous research strategy and now proposes to increase this during the period of this new strategy.

Consultees suggested a specific stream of funding to support knowledge transfer and commercialisation activities. Often, the sums required are not large relative to carrying out the scientific research, but the responsibility for funding such activities is not always explicit. SEERAD Science and Research Group wishes to integrate to the greatest extent possible the knowledge transfer activities within the overall research portfolio.

Funding on knowledge transfer will come in three main ways:

• Each Research Programme will be required to have an identified and costed knowledge transfer plan. The plan will take into account likely delivery mechanisms, audiences, timescales and means of assessing uptake. It is likely that specialist skills and expertise will be employed in implementation. The funding for such work will be in addition to that identified for the Research Programmes.

• SEERAD Science and Research Group will consider proposals to make periodic calls for separately funded specialised knowledge transfer activities.

• SEERAD Science and Research Group will look for opportunities to build on existing arrangements with other relevant stakeholders such as the agricultural levy bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations, other Government Departments and Research Councils.

Exploiting Intellectual Property for the Public Good

Currently SEERAD Science and Research Group operates in accordance with UK Science policy by vesting Intellectual Property with the research contractors who are best placed to develop and exploit the outputs of the research activity. Where 'public good' information from the SEERAD Science and Research Group science base needs to be made available, SEERAD will ensure this happens through contract arrangements. Research areas which will produce this type of information will be identified before work begins so that agreement on access to datasets and other 'public good' information will be clear. More generally, the Scottish Executive is bound by Freedom of Information principles and legislation on access to publicly held information including access to Environmental Information.

End-User Engagement

Success in knowledge and technology transfer and in commercialisation and exploitation often depends on timely and effective dialogue with end-users of the research outputs. The MRPs generally have a number of mechanisms for end-user engagement, through advisory committees, user panels, etc.

However, a number of the ROAE Visiting Groups commented that end-user engagement by the MRPs could be improved by having a clear strategy for the organisation's activities. This would provide a clearer framework for the types of engagement taking place rather than ad hoc or serendipitous encounters with end-users.

SEERAD Science and Research Group expects its MRPs to draw up end-user engagement strategies; it will also consider setting in place its own policy for engagement with end-users. It will look to the Strategic Advisory Panel for guidance in this key area.

Publicity and Public Awareness

SEERAD Science and Research Group and its MRPs will continue to work together to maintain a common policy and strategy for publication of research information. It will ensure information on the impact of the work goes to all interested communities and those who can benefit from the outputs of the Research Programme.

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