The political context of Research Infrastructures Consequences for impact and evaluation

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1 The political context of Research Infrastructures Consequences for impact and evaluation Isabelle van Elzakker - Impact of R&I Policy - Vienna, 6 November

2 Content Context Long-term Sustainability Research Infrastructures The issue of RI societal impact the ACCELERATE project Understanding the complex political context of RIs Development of the policy field; broadening definitions Stakeholder perspectives and expectations Research Infrastructures as boundary objects Consequences for addressing RI societal impact The political context of research infrastructures 2

3 Context The H2020 ACCELERATE project: [supports] the long-term sustainability of large scale research infrastructures (RIs) through the development of policies and legal and administrative tools for a more effective management and operation of RIs Consortium of Research Infrastructures dedicated to materials research Rathenau Instituut involved to develop a societal impact approach for RIs That can be used by RIs themselves The political context of research infrastructures 3

4 Long-term sustainability and the issue of societal impact Long-term sustainability of RIs is on the agenda Various reports; working group on LTS; H2020 Societal impact is one of the challenges Political and social pressure to identify and monitor how RIs contribute But this is not yet common practice among stakeholders, funders and RIs The political context of research infrastructures 4

5 The issue of RI societal impact: current status No lack of studies dedicated to societal impact (of specific RIs) and several ongoing efforts The need is expressed to develop a unified framework But, developing such a framework is complicated Why is RI societal impact such a complex issue? Need to consider the complex political context in which RIs are initiated and operate The political context of research infrastructures 5

6 The political context of RIs Two observations: How policy developments are shaping what is seen as an RI: Everything can be a Research Infrastructure How different stakeholders and their perspectives go beyond RIs as research enabling facilities: A Research Infrastructure can be anything The political context of research infrastructures 6

7 Development of the RI policy field RIs as a relatively new object of research and innovation policy Towards a European Research Area (2000) Increase cohesion among member states concerning RIs 2002: Establishment of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) 2009: introduction of the ERIC legislation: possibility to set-up or become a European Research Infrastructure Consortium The political context of research infrastructures 7

8 Roadmapping Roadmapping as a strategic, long-term, policy relevant exercise Development of Roadmaps: On the European level - ESFRI On national levels The relevance of being on a roadmap Definition often tied to roadmap Status Funding opportunities The political context of research infrastructures 8

9 What is a Research Infrastructure? Example of a definition: Dutch Roadmap on Large-Scientific Infrastructures (2016): Large-scale scientific infrastructures are facilities, resources and services that a research community uses to conduct research and promote innovation in its field. Where relevant, the infrastructure can also be used for other purposes than research, for example education or public services. Among other things, it concerns important scientific equipment or collections of instruments; knowledge-based resources such as collections of natural specimens, archives and collections of scientific data; e-infrastructure such as (interlinked) data files, and computer systems and communication networks; and any other unique infrastructure that is critically important for achieving excellence in research and innovation. This could refer to infrastructures situated in a single location, or virtual or distributed infrastructures (in the Netherlands or abroad). The political context of research infrastructures 9

10 What is a Research Infrastructure? Projects in all kinds of development phases Different organisation modes Across research fields: from large natural science facilities to digital databases; surveys; biobanks Definitions are broad/inclusive rather than restrictive The political context of research infrastructures 10

11 So everything can be an RI? Increased attention for RIs, both on the national as well as the European level policies, roadmapping, dedicated organizations Policy developments have literally put RIs on the map But have not led to a clear understanding of what an RI is Definitions emphasize what an RI can be instead of what it cannot be RI as a dynamic concept that is being negotiated and expanded But at least we know that RIs are about enabling research but not just research The political context of research infrastructures 11

12 No lack of potential stakeholders RIs as large (public) investments, with many (potential) stakeholders: Local, regional, national or international authorities Funders Researchers, user communities Industry Hosts, members or observers Local communities the neighbours Etc. The political context of research infrastructures 12

13 Different perspectives on an RI and its impact The political context of research infrastructures 13

14 Different perspectives on an RI and its impact Perspectives can go beyond the idea of an RI as a research enabling facility Differences within stakeholder groups Perspectives and expectations can change overtime Images are predominantly positive - but not always The political context of research infrastructures 14

15 RI as a boundary object? Boundary object: Adaptable to multiple viewpoints (Star & Griesemer, 1989) Everything can be a Research Infrastructure A Research Infrastructure can be anything What an RI is, is/can be discussed and negotiated among an RI and its stakeholders The political context of research infrastructures 15

16 Consequences for the issue of RI societal impact Why is RI societal impact such a complex issue? Stakes are high, many are involved, large investments What is seen as an RI is expanding diversity among RIs Expectations go beyond RI as enabler of scientific research: diverse expectations and meanings So what an RI is, is not evident, nor is it evident what the societal impact of an RI is Funders and stakeholders have different ideas about and practices for impact assessment and valuation The political context of research infrastructures 16

17 Consequences for addressing RI societal impact ACCELERATE: Develop an approach that can be used by RIs themselves and enables the governance of societal impact Challenges: Need to respond to different kinds of stakeholders Some perspectives are more (or less) relevant than others Important to understand stakeholders expectations, their evaluation practice and the evidence needed This can be discussed among RI and its stakeholders Impact approach focused on enabling RIs and stakeholders to jointly discuss and proactively govern societal impact The political context of research infrastructures 17

18 Thank you! Isabelle van Elzakker ACCELERATE is funded by the European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020, under grant agreement The political context of research infrastructures 18