International Workshop "Private Sector - Academia Interaction" (Sweden, 2011)

Workshop details; Workshop Programme  

Synopsis

The modern landscape for research and development involves a great deal of collaboration between academic institutions and industry, business and finance. New opportunities appear and this is beneficial for all parties as well as for society in general.

There are also challenges. Different working conditions may lead to mutual misunderstanding. Conflicts of interest may appear, as interactions are now important in the progress of even basic research and research training. Relations with the private sector may also increase the competition between universities, and they may induce changes in research profiles and organisational structures. This interdependence questions the principle of the “free and unattached academic research.

This international workshop will explore the most effective ways of developing productive collaborations between academia and private sector partners. The key question is set to "how the potential can be maximized and challenges minimised". The discussions are planned to end in a statement, which will contribute to the development of a best practice, beneficial for all partners and for the society as a whole. A global perspective will be maintained.

The workshop will be based on a number of cases of different types of collaboration. The character of the partners involved in the collaboration will vary from smaller higher-education colleges, mainly interacting with local firms, to major research universities with world-wide interaction networks; and from major companies with considerable research capabilities to firms that have to buy their technical development from others.

Another aspect to discuss is what forces lies behind the desire to interact. Do companies look for the best basic science environment or an applied science arena? Do universities have ambitions beyond secured financing, for instance acquiring new technical skills or establishing contacts with the future labour market of their students? The workshop aims to cover different points of view and include them in the groundwork for a best practice.

Themes

The use of science, and how to ensure its usefulness

• Fundamental research as a basis for good applied science
• Societal use of new ideas in university research
• Usefulness of bi-products of science and technology

Challenges in collaboration

• Publishing vs. confidentiality
• Conditions related to donations and grants
• Long-term planning vs. short-term contracts
• How could academia become accountable in business?
• How to finish collaborative projects appropriately

The ethics of Private-Public Partnership

• The obligation to hold contracts and deliver
• How to maintain a research agenda under uncertain short-term funding conditions
• Acknowledging diverse interests honestly and respectfully
• When students get involved, the ethics of consultants

Intellectual property rights

• IP protection mechanisms (patents) and openness

Societal roles

• What does university autonomy mean when money is short?
• Split financing – shared responsibility
• Effects on education when the university is making business

A changed research culture

• Market effects on universities and research
• Stronger competition – a threat or a stimulus?

Opportunities in learning from each other

• The art of taking risks
• How to handle complexity
• Promoting flexibility and entrepreneurship
• To see opportunities early on

Organisers and hosts

The workshop is initiated by the International Council of Science (ICSU), through its Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science (CFRS). The workshop is one in a series of workshops arranged by ICSU-CFRS, seeking specific collaborators for each workshop. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (KVA) is a national member of ICSU and a vital and powerful force for science worldwide. Its motto is "To promote science and increase its influence in society". The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA) is an independent arena for the exchange of knowledge. By initiating and stimulating contacts between experts from different disciplines and countries the Academy promotes cross-fertilization between industry, academia, public administration and various interest groups.

Contributors

The workshop is supported by grants from VINNOVA and Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, as well as by contributions from the organising bodies. VINNOVA is the Swedish Governmental Agency for Inno-vation Systems and Riksbankens Jubileumsfond is an independent Swedish foundation with the goal of promoting and supporting research in the humanities and social sciences.

Participants

Some 40 international scientists, industrialists and policy makers are invited for this three-day meeting. Local Swedish participants will be included as well as young scientists and trainees from industry.

Programme and format

The programme will contain invited speakers giving their view on the topic as well as examples from different areas. There will be extensive time for discussions both in a panel format and informally. A final workshop document with the summary of the discussions will be prepared. A statement with recommendations will also be formulated by the participants of the workshop. A detailed workshop programme will be announced later. Documents to be discussed at the workshop are to be submitted in advance.

Place and time

The conference will take place at the Sigtuna Foundation (Sigtunastiftelsen) at Sigtuna, close to Stockholm Arlanda Airport. It has a longstanding tradition as a meeting place designed for interdisciplinary dialogue between partners representing different societal groups and interests.

It starts on Tuesday 22 November at 12am and ends on Friday 25 November at 1.30pm.

Organising Committee

• Bengt Gustafsson: Chair, ICSU CFRS, and KVA
• Maria Anvret: Professor of Neurogenetics, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, Sweden
• Ruth Arnon: Professor of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
• Per Hedenqvist: Executive Director, KVA
• Alf Linderman: Director, Sigtuna Foundation
• Björn O. Nilsson: Director, IVA
• Staffan Normark: Permanent Secretary, KVA
• Ingrid Petersson: Director, Science Relations, Astra Zeneca
• Sylvia Rumball: Member ICSU CFRS, and Professor of Chemistry, Massey University, New Zealand
• John Sulston: Member ICSU CFRS, and Chair of Institute for Science Ethics and Innovation, University of Manchester
• Ovid Tzeng: Member ICSU CFRS, and Professor of Psychology, National Yang-Ming University, China: Taipei
• Ulf Wahlberg: Director of Research, Ericsson
• Karin Jonsell: Conference coordinator, KVA

For further information, please contact Bengt Gustafsson or Karin Jonsell.