As part of the REMORA’s project’s training programme, two online sessions were held on 25 and 26 June, focusing on two important aspects of European research projects: knowledge transfer and valorisation, and science communication and public engagement.
The two trainings were delivered by ERINN Innovation and provided REMORA partners with practical guidance on how to plan for impact, communicate research beyond the scientific community and engage with different audiences and stakeholders.
REMORA Training #6: Making Impact Credible
The first session, “Making Impact Credible: Building Knowledge Transfer & Valorisation into EU Proposals”, took place on 25 June amd was delivered by Keegan Porter, Project Manager specialising in knowledge transfer at ERINN Innovation. The training focused on how knowledge transfer and valorisation can be considered from the early stages of an EU project, particularly when developing a proposal. Participants looked at how to plan for impact, identify relevant project outpus and understand who the potential users of research results may be.
The session covered:
– Expectations for knowledge transfer and valorisation in EU projects;
– Planning for impact from the proposal stage;
– Identifying project outputs and target users;
– Different approaches to knowledge transfer;
– Common challenges when designing impact and valorisation activities;
– Practical examples and lessons learned from EU projects.
About the trainer
Keegan Porter is a Project Manager specialising in knowledge transfer at ERINN Innovation. He has more than nine years developing and implementing knowledge transfer methodologies for national and EU projects and has supported funding agencies through training and guidance activities. His experience includes leading communication and exploitation work packages in areas such as aquaculture, fisheries, ocean observation, blue economy adaptation planning and desalination.
REMORA Training #7: Connecting Research with Society
The second training, “Connecting Research with Society – Best Practices for Effective Science Communication and Public Engagement“, took place on 26 June and was delivered by Casey Borklund, Senior Project Officer at ERINN Innovation. The session looked at practical approaches to science communication and community engagement in European-funded research projects. Participants explored different ways of communicating scientific knowledge to broader audiences and discussed how communication activities can be integrated into Horizon Europe projects.
The training covered:
– Communicating scientific knowledge to broader audiences;
– Understanding communication activities in Horizon Europe projects;
– Different approaches and tools for engaging communities and stakeholders;
– The use of approaches such as Living Labs;
– Best practices and lessons learned from previous EU-funded projects.
About the trainer
Casey Borklund is Senior Project Officer at ERINN Innovation and specialises in environmental education. She works on science communication and knowledge transfer activities across several EU-funded projects and contributes to proposal development and training programmes at ERINN Innovation. Casey has experience in conservation education and community outreach, having worked with zoological institutions, non-profit organisations and universities. She holds a BSc in Fish and Wildlife Conservation, an MSc Certificate in Environmental Policy and Management, and an MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation.
Together, the two sessions addressed complementary apects of buiding impact in European research projects: making research results useful and transferable, while also ensuring that research reaches and engages the people and communities it is intended to benefit.
