NWO Panel session: partnerships in ICT research

Panel discussion:

Cristian Hesselman (SIDN Labs and University of Twente) 

Durga Ramachandran (Innovation director at Keysight/Riscure)

Benny Akesson (TNO-ESI/UvA) 

Aletta Smits (Lector at Hanze Hogeschool and Assistant professor at Utrecht University)

Research rarely happens in the isolation of a research institution. Researchers often collaborate with companies or civil-society organisations to achieve more than just scientific impact. Collaborations vary in complexity and scope. From working with a single partner to gather real-world feedback, to complex consortia with many parties, aimed at tackling major challenges like subversive crime or the energy transition. Regardless of the complexity, collaborations like these create opportunities to for scientific results to be taken up by society.

Given that collaboration with societal parties is increasingly expected in research funding, building an effective consortium is important. But how do you get started? What's in it for the different parties? How do you make sure your consortium stays effective throughout the project? How do you handle expectations about results or obligations? 

We discuss these questions and more with several experienced researchers and societal representatives in a panel session. Of course, there's also time to discuss your questions.