Knowledge Valorisation for Societal Impact: University Leadership in the New ERA
Course format: Online / Blended
This course equips higher education leaders, research managers, and innovation officers with practical tools for designing and implementing institutional knowledge valorisation strategies. Participants explore European frameworks for research impact, valorisation pathways, and third mission integration into university governance. The course includes applications of the ERA Policy Agenda, HEInnovate, and the TEFCE Toolbox, preparing institutions to become regional innovation drivers in the post-crisis context.
Course Description
This course empowers university professionals to transform research and innovation outputs into societal, economic, and territorial value. Learners will map existing knowledge flows, analyze internal institutional capacities, and design structured valorisation frameworks through multidisciplinary, cross-sectoral, and multi-stakeholder approaches.
It is specifically designed for Ukrainian and Eastern Partnership universities preparing to align with EU knowledge valorisation policies, especially in contexts of recovery, resilience, and regional regeneration.
Learner pre-requirements
Participants should have prior experience in academic administration, research coordination, innovation management, or project leadership within a university or research institution. The course is ideal for vice-rectors, deans, heads of research departments, and professionals working in tech transfer, third mission, or strategic development.
Familiarity with EU programs (e.g., Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, EIT) is recommended but not required.
Learning objectives
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Understand the role of knowledge valorisation in the European Research Area and institutional development.
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Map knowledge flows and stakeholder ecosystems within and beyond the university.
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Design structured frameworks for research impact, knowledge transfer, and public engagement.
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Apply tools such as the TEFCE Toolbox, HEInnovate, and U-Multirank impact indicators.
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Align internal governance and incentive structures with third mission objectives.
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Build strategic valorisation agendas linked to regional development plans and smart specialisation.
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Develop pilot valorisation initiatives with measurable impact metrics.
Skills
addressed
Knowledge valorisation; Third mission governance; Institutional transformation; Multi-stakeholder collaboration; Impact assessment; Research valorisation tools; Open science and citizen engagement; Innovation ecosystems; EU valorisation policy; Strategic foresight; Institutional mapping; Social impact measurement; HEInnovate self-assessment; Policy co-creation.
Course structure
The course is structured as a 50-hour program delivered through a modular blended format. Each module includes applied cases, toolkits, and mentoring sessions to co-develop institutional valorisation pathways.
Module 1:
Knowledge Valorisation in the European Framework
(10 hours)
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ERA Policy Agenda: the 2022 Council conclusions
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Key concepts: valorisation, impact, third mission
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European tools: HEInnovate, TEFCE Toolbox, Open Science agendas
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Institutional cases: University of Twente, KU Leuven, Charles University
Module 2:
Mapping Knowledge Flows and Institutional Ecosystems
(10 hours)
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Internal audit of research, innovation, and outreach
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Stakeholder identification: who uses university knowledge?
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Building institutional ecosystems for valorisation
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Role of regional innovation platforms and civic labs
Module 3:
Governance and Strategy for Valorisation
(10 hours)
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Third mission integration in strategic planning
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Organising for impact: units, roles, incentives
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Performance indicators and institutional transformation
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Preparing for U-Multirank, EUA Self-reflection Framework
Module 4:
Tools and Mechanisms of Valorisation
(10 hours)
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Valorisation routes: commercialization, policy impact, social innovation
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Intellectual property, licensing, spin-offs and open transfer
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Co-creation, citizen science, participatory research
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Institutional funding strategies and impact-oriented budgeting
Capstone: Valorisation Strategy Project
(10 hours)
Each participant/team designs a draft valorisation plan for their institution
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Mapping impact areas
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Integrating with regional strategy
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Identifying pilots and metrics
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Peer review and expert mentoring
Teaching design
The course follows a blended learning design with practical orientation:
Live sessions and expert input (30%)
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Online workshops, case reviews, European best practices
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Sessions led by experts from EUA, HEInnovate, and university leaders
Self-paced learning (40%)
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Recorded lectures, strategic tools, EU policy documents
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Assignments: mapping, stakeholder analysis, logic models
Collaborative project work (30%)
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Team development of impact strategies
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Online clinics with peer mentoring
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Final presentation of valorisation pathways to invited experts
Outcome
By the end of the course, learners will be able to strategically embed knowledge valorisation into their university’s DNA, create visible and measurable impact pathways, and align institutional change with European policy directions and societal demands.
Application process
