Discussion Panel
Panel description
Long-term research partnerships involving deep and strategic engagement with private/public partners in multiple areas of collaboration are increasingly desired, but as the ancient Chinese proverb says, “The longest journey begins with a single step.”
So, how does a research relationship grow from that first step into something more? How does a researcher know when the time is right to make a move, and how should they approach the partner?
In this panel, we will be hearing from peer researchers and industry professionals who have gone through the process and can share their experiences and lessons learned.
Date and time: December 8, 11am-12pm
Zoom link:
Meeting URL: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/68031979807?pwd=S0NzT2Qvb0lOc3VDU1NHWFZxZVJ0QT09 Meeting
ID: 680 3197 9807
Passcode: 921413
Panelists:
- Allen Devine, Technology Strategy & Innovation Manager, Chief Technology Office, TELUS
- John Steen, Associate Professor, Director of the Bradshaw Research Initiative in Minerals and Mining, University of British Columbia
- Mina Hoorfar, Professor, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Victoria
- Walter Merida, Professor, Associate Dean, Research and Industrial Partnerships, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of British Columbia
Agenda:
| 11:00-11:05 | Greetings; Land acknowledgement; Housekeeping notes |
| 11:05-11:15 | Panelists introduction |
| 11:15-11:45 | Audience submitted questions (list below) |
| 11:45-12:00 | Open Q&A |
Topics and submitted questions by audience:
Topic #1: Research v.s. product development; how to find the common ground?
- How best to find the win-win between the partners interest in higher TRL research ( ie. closer to commercialization ) and the researchers interest in lower TRL (and typically easier to publish around) research
- How to generate industrial interest for technologies that haven’t yet been demonstrated as viable?
- How does companies see the value of partnership and what are they looking for?
Topic #2: Setting the expectations and managing conflicting needs
- What is the most effective way of establishing reasonable partner expectations for the different timescales associated with academic activities, especially for new partnerships (e.g., grant applications, HQP hiring, student coursework, publishing, )?
- How to initiate projects with multiple partners and manage IP?
Topic #3: Best practices on long-term research partnerships
- What are the best practices to nurture a relationship with a partner organization?
- Companies often want researchers to answer specific questions, which might be far from research- would be useful to hear tips how to do science while engaging industry?
Topic #4: Continuous relationship management
- How to find the right contacts within an organization to build partnerships (contacts with authority and time/interest to engage in a conversation)?
- How do you manage the workload required for relationship management when this isn’t usually recognized in performance evaluation criteria?