EUR-OCEANS Knowledge Transfer Unit

Knowledge transfer is about using research-based knowledge to inform and influence decision-making and policy development. In our current knowledge-driven society, knowledge transfer is vital in order to transfer of ideas, research results and skills between research organisations and user groups. Researchers, decision-makers and user groups have a long history of disengagement. Knowledge transfer aims to address this and bridge the gap between those who produce research-based knowledge and information and those who are in a position to use it.

For the purposes of EUR-OCEANS, the term knowledge transfer is interpreted as the process which facilitates the dissemination of research-based knowledge, expertise and skills between the network and global users. Effective knowledge transfer requires communication between EUR-OCEANS researchers and global users (e.g. policy makers, advisory bodies, research managers, conservation and user groups, management bodies), and results in the production, dissemination and use of existing or new research-based knowledge in decision-making and enterprise.

The Knowledge Transfer Unit stems from the original EUR-OCEANS workpackage 9 - Transfer to socio-economic users. The Unit is the primary mechanism within the network for transferring knowledge to external users.The unit is responsible for ensuring that results from EUR-OCEANS reach the right organisations and people at the right time! A Knowledge Transfer Strategy and a suite of innovative tools have been developed to help guide activities and ensure the effective dissemination of EUR-OCEANS research-based knowledge.