As part of ongoing actions to boost networking in research support, the ICN2 Strategy Development Office organised an international networking and training action in Castelldefels, Barcelona. Around 60 research professionals attended the event, including some key voices within the European research management community.
The aim of the ICN2 Workshop on Research, Strategy and Innovation held on 4 and 5 October in Castelldefels, Barcelona, was to bring together research managers and administrators from throughout Europe to discuss ideas related to improving the quality, efficiency and professionalisation of research support services. ICN2 Strategy Development Officer Dulce Tienda led the organisation of the event with a view to bringing these discussions of European trends to Catalonia.
The event was attended by support professionals from a number of regional research institutes, as well as leaders from European universities and centres. The topics discussed ranged from strategy design and implementation, leadership styles in an academic environment, public engagement, gender and diversity in research and projects, innovation strategies to overcome the valley of death in technology development, and even a mini masterclass on how to plan for Horizon Europe, the next European framework for research and innovation. Very much in line with the priorities of the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA) association, the event also had talks by fellow EARMA members.
Indeed, the range and quality of the talks kick-started debates that made networking easy in the multiple coffee and lunch breaks designed for just such exchanges. This spirit of participation was continued in the afternoon working group sessions, some of them on new topics, some of them continuing conversations started at previous professional events.
Many thanks to the EARMA alumni for its endorsement of this event.