Honours Science Conference

How does science contribute to society? Or, more fundamentally, does science contribute to society at all? Academics often speak of the relevance of their research findings to business, policy and society and general but is this claim correct? The Erasmus Centre for Valorisation will discuss these important questions at the Honours Science Conference within the context of “Science and Society”.

Knowledge valorisation focuses on how academic and scientific findings are transferred outside of the peer-reviewed world of academia. Valorisation has two perspectives. On the one hand, academics are asked to deliver societal value by transferring their knowledge not only to their academic peers, but also to policy makers and professionals, economic parties and the general public. On the other hand, these societal, professional and economic parties can benefit greatly from the academic knowledge that is developed in universities and use it in their product innovation, policy, work place or day-to-day life.

In both cases, societal and economic value is created when academics work together with entrepreneurs, product developers, policy makers, citizens and professionals to become inspired by their unmet needs and demand and to develop their knowledge into knowledge products or services.

The Erasmus Centre for Valorisation will show you what knowledge valorisation entails and why it is important; even when one is primarily involved in fundamental science. Furthermore they will present several of their own research findings in the field of knowledge valorisation.