Conference information

‘INTERACT UNI:

New perspectives on enduring research questions in university-society interaction?

Towards an emerging multi‑disciplinary research agenda for knowledge exchange and co-creation within science, research and innovation policy studies’

Venue: University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands

Date: 9^th-11^th May 2012

Local organising committee:

Dr. Kasia Zalewska (Organising Committee Co-ordinator)

Dr. Paul Benneworth

Klaudia Egedova

Inga Ulnicane

Prof. Stefan Kuhlmann

Prof. Hans E. Roosendaal

Conference secretariat: Marcia Clifford, IGS, +31-53-4893423, m.f.clifford@utwente.nl

Supporting institutions:

IGS - Institute for Innovation and Governance Studies

Eu-SPRI Forum - European Forum for Studies of Policies for Research and Innovation

Stichting Universiteitsfonds Twente

This conference aims to bring together leading early career researchers across a range of social science disciplines to provide an open forum driving an emerging scientific conversation around science-society interactions. The involvement of a senior scientific panel from leading European professors in this field will help to incorporate the voices of young researchers into the scientific mainstream, and help to develop the next generation of researchers in the field of European policies for science and research.

The conference welcomes papers from a range of disciplinary backgrounds and traditions, including policy studies, political science, sociology, studies of science and technology, public administration, the economics of science and innovation, research management, and entrepreneurship. The organisers encourage contributions that critically reflect on the role of knowledge in society through knowledge exchange, co-creation and transfer practices in and between organisations and institutions. The emphasis in this critical reflection should be on the knowledge exchange systems and networks between wider national science and education systems, and more localised practises and behaviours of knowledge creation and circulation.

Specific themes

The following are suggested as sub-themes, but not necessarily limited to:

·	Ethics, politics and utility in science and technology agendas and practices

·	Understanding and moderating value system conflicts in practices of research

·	Entrepreneurship and excellence in research systems and institutions

·	New careers and disciplines in science, technology and innovation

·	Accountability, governance systems and innovation for utility

·	Socialisation and structuration in emerging science and technology domains

·	Uncertainty, mediation and translation in knowledge valorisation practices

·	Public engagement, interaction and involvement in research and innovation

·	The risks and rewards of contemporary science, research and innovation shifts.

Important dates

Deadline for extended abstracts: 8^th January 2012

Notification of acceptance: 15^th February 2012

Submission of full papers (c. 5000 words): 10^th April 2012

Funding

The fee for the conference is €300. This includes accommodation at the conference venue, the delegate pack, access to all full papers, and refreshments and meals throughout the event.

The conference is supported by the “European Forum for Studies of Policies for Research and Innovation” (the Eu-SPRI Forum). Participants from Eu-SPRI Forum member institutions are eligible for a full fee waiver (their participation is free at the point of use), although must fund their own travel costs.