Examen - IP
Part 1 - Introduction to research professionalization
Research professionalization = the processes of acquiring a comprehensive set of skills,
knowledge and competencies necessary for conduction research e ectively and ethically.
—> it involves developing a research mindset that encompasses critical thinking, problem-solving
and interdisciplinary collaboration.
—> it includes adopting best practices and ethical standards, communicating research ndings to
diverse audiences and understanding the broader societal, economic and commercial aspects of
research.
—> it encompasses practical skills in areas such as intellectual property management, research
funding, project management and research commercialisation.
=> aims to maximize the impact, value and application of research outcomes.
Society is interested in the outcomes of research and all sectors value di erent outcomes and
“speak di erent languages”.
The goal of applied research is innovation —> key to growth and prosperity.
There is an increasing interest in promoting the protection of intellectual property rights and
innovation.
Part 1.2 - What is applied and basic research?
Applied research: focused on addressing speci c practical problems, developing solutions and
generating knowledge that can be directly applied to real-world contexts.
—> aims to provide practical applications, improve existing technologies or solve immediate
challenges.
—> in industry, government agencies or research institutions collaborating with industry partners.
Basic research: fundamental or pure research; driven by curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge
for its own sake. Often exploratory in nature and focuses on generating knowledge.
—> aims to expand our understanding of fundamental principles, explore new theories and
uncover the underlying mechanisms of natural phenomena.
The goals of both are distinct and the employed methodologies di er as well. The outcomes of
applied research are often tangible and practical (new products, technologies and processes).
They aren’t mutually exclusive and there is often an interplay between the two.
Researchers have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and ensure the well-being and
rights of research participants, the integrity of the research process and the societal impact of
their work. Understanding and adhering to ethical principles and guidelines is crucial for
maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of research ndings.
Ethical considerations in research: respect for autonomy, bene cence, justice, integrity,
con dentiality and privacy.
Part 1.3 - Research collaboration and research impact
Bene ts and challenges of research collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork:
Bene ts: enhanced creativity and innovation, access to diverse skill sets, increased productivity,
expanded networks and opportunities, higher-quality research.
Challenges: communication and coordination, con ict and divergent opinions, resource allocation,
authorship and credit.
E ective strategies for successful collaboration:
• Clearly de ne goals and roles
• E ective communication
• Establish a collaborative culture
• Establish guidelines and agreements
• Foster interdisciplinary understanding:
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, Research impact: refers to the e ects, in uence and broader outcomes of research beyond
academia. It includes societal, economic, environmental and policy-related impacts that result
from research ndings. Understanding and assessing research impact helps demonstrate the
value and relevance of research, attracting funding and informing decision-making process.
Knowledge translation: involves the process of binging the gap between research ndings and
their application in practice, policy or innovation. It aims to ensure that research outcomes are
accessible, understood and utilised by relevant stakeholders. It refers to the process of translating
research ndings into practical applications, policies or interventions that bene t society.
Part 1.4 - What is valorization?
The term “valorization” was coined by Karl Marx in his work “Capital”, where it refers to the
capitalist activity of buying commodities to sell them and realise more value than existed before.
Society funds scienti c research and development and in return there is an expectation that this
research will be a driving force to support the transition towards healthier, greener & fairer society.
Scienti c valorisation refers to the utilisation of scienti c knowledge in practice. It us the use, for
socio-economic purposes, of the results of research nanced by public authorities. It represents
society’s direct and indirect return on the public sector’s investment in research and development.
Ways to valorize research results:
• Open science: education and the publication of research results
• Technology transfer: management and use of intellectual property rights
• Open innovation: based on sharing, cooperation between companies, market economy, …
• Creation of new activities - spin o s: based on the results produced by universities, …
Types of valorization:
• Societal valorization: de ned by the lead users which include schools, hospitals, non-pro ts, …
• Economic valorization: de ned nu the lead users which are companies and industrial partners.
Societal research is not always used by societal users, not is economic research always used by
economic users.
University valorization is the process of value-creation out of knowledge. It involves making
knowledge suitable and available for economic or societal utilization. It also includes translating
knowledge into high-potential products, services, processes and industrial activity.
The process involves the active transfer of technology from licensing and spin-o s (1-5%) and
research collaboration (95-99%).
Funding comes from Innoviris (Brussels) and FWO, VALIO, IOF (Flanders).
Part 1.5 - Progress of a research project
Typical research project begins with the research itself, progresses into initial results & culminates
in nal results. These results are disseminated thorough presentations and publications.
Exceptions - master thesis: the university also obtains the property rights on inventions performed
by volunteer researchers, engaged at the university, as far as this transfer of rights is con rmed in
a written correspondence to these people. Master students need to sign con dentiality agree-
ment, transfer IP rights to university and sometimes a con dential version of thesis is necessary.
Lab notes are needed for traceability of research:
- To pass on research group’s knowledge - A reference in the case of con ict
- Avoid loss of information - To allow for easy monitoring
- All data together in one source - Error detection
- Simpli es writing
Do’s:
- Indicate your project in title
- Write with ink/ballpoint
- Record all your work as you progress with a detailed account of your experiments and results,
including your observations and any concepts or ideas you may have
2 of 17
fi fifi fi fi fi fi fi fl ff ff fl fifi fi fi fi ff fi fifi
, - Sign and date daily your entries
- Draw a Kune through unused space, blank pages and incorrect entries to delete them
- Initial and date separately corrections
- Record your work in such a manner that a co-worker can continue from where you stop
- Attach add-on pages or photographs or diagrams, etc with tape and initial and date over tape
Don’ts:
- Take your notebook outside the university
- Remove or add pages
- Erase incorrect entries with white-out
- Treat your notebook as a freely available publication
All lab notebooks are numbered and need to be registered by the Technology Transfer Interface.
In academic valorization, research results can be used in teaching, future research activities,
o ered to companies for further development, obtained publications, conference, presentation, …
Commercial valorization, ndings can be protected via a myriad of means, they can be linked to a
company or transferred to a spin-o company —> need to know where the money came from.
3 main possible situations for academic valorization:
1. All valorization possibilities are open
2. Valorization possibilities exist, yet with constraints
3. The valorization possibilities are already prede ned due to contractual obligations
Limitations arise from intellectual property rights, contracts & agreements, ethical considerations,
open access and open science, academic integrity and norms, regulatory and legal requirements.
Part 1.6 - Technology ownership at university
At the VUB, only the rector can legally bind the university. While someone can be appointed to
sign speci c agreements, the general rule is that all contracts must be signed by the rector; this is
also with NDA’s. Ownership of the results of a doctoral thesis performed at the VUB, belong to the
university. An exception is that the ownership of copyright for academic publications is not
automatically transferred to the university.
Transferring the ownership of research results to more than 1 company is not possible. Once
transferred, no further valorization possibilities are left for the university. A transfer should therefor
be considered as to being a sale.
A licence doesn’t impact ownership and remains with the one granting the licence. Non-exclusive
licenses can be granted to di erent companies for di erent application domains.
Copyright of academic publications is automatically granted to researchers, but this doesn’t
protect the content of the publication if it includes an idea or invention. Copyright only protects
the way of expression and if an article includes an unprotected idea, it can be reproduced or
exploited by others. If an invention is published before patenting, patent protection cannot be
obtained afterward, therefore, it’s crucial to patent rst and then publish.
Part 1.7 - The history go valorization at university
In the beginning the university’s role was knowledge di usion through education. After the rst
revolution (late 1800s), universities focused on knowledge generation through research.
Valorization was seen as academic impact through publications, presentations, books, …
After the second revolution (late 1970s), economic and social development became incorporated
as part of the mission of universities. Valorization expanded to include academic, societal and
economic impact that included social dissemination, websites, media appearances, consulting, …
Decree of June 12, 1991: concerning universities in Flanders, article 169ter stipulated that the
property rights on inventions that, in the context of their research tasks are done by paid sta , are
the property of the university.
3 of 17
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fi fi ff ff fi fi ff ff fi ff
Part 1 - Introduction to research professionalization
Research professionalization = the processes of acquiring a comprehensive set of skills,
knowledge and competencies necessary for conduction research e ectively and ethically.
—> it involves developing a research mindset that encompasses critical thinking, problem-solving
and interdisciplinary collaboration.
—> it includes adopting best practices and ethical standards, communicating research ndings to
diverse audiences and understanding the broader societal, economic and commercial aspects of
research.
—> it encompasses practical skills in areas such as intellectual property management, research
funding, project management and research commercialisation.
=> aims to maximize the impact, value and application of research outcomes.
Society is interested in the outcomes of research and all sectors value di erent outcomes and
“speak di erent languages”.
The goal of applied research is innovation —> key to growth and prosperity.
There is an increasing interest in promoting the protection of intellectual property rights and
innovation.
Part 1.2 - What is applied and basic research?
Applied research: focused on addressing speci c practical problems, developing solutions and
generating knowledge that can be directly applied to real-world contexts.
—> aims to provide practical applications, improve existing technologies or solve immediate
challenges.
—> in industry, government agencies or research institutions collaborating with industry partners.
Basic research: fundamental or pure research; driven by curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge
for its own sake. Often exploratory in nature and focuses on generating knowledge.
—> aims to expand our understanding of fundamental principles, explore new theories and
uncover the underlying mechanisms of natural phenomena.
The goals of both are distinct and the employed methodologies di er as well. The outcomes of
applied research are often tangible and practical (new products, technologies and processes).
They aren’t mutually exclusive and there is often an interplay between the two.
Researchers have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and ensure the well-being and
rights of research participants, the integrity of the research process and the societal impact of
their work. Understanding and adhering to ethical principles and guidelines is crucial for
maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of research ndings.
Ethical considerations in research: respect for autonomy, bene cence, justice, integrity,
con dentiality and privacy.
Part 1.3 - Research collaboration and research impact
Bene ts and challenges of research collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork:
Bene ts: enhanced creativity and innovation, access to diverse skill sets, increased productivity,
expanded networks and opportunities, higher-quality research.
Challenges: communication and coordination, con ict and divergent opinions, resource allocation,
authorship and credit.
E ective strategies for successful collaboration:
• Clearly de ne goals and roles
• E ective communication
• Establish a collaborative culture
• Establish guidelines and agreements
• Foster interdisciplinary understanding:
1 of 17
ff fi fi fffi fi fl fi fi ffff ff fi
, Research impact: refers to the e ects, in uence and broader outcomes of research beyond
academia. It includes societal, economic, environmental and policy-related impacts that result
from research ndings. Understanding and assessing research impact helps demonstrate the
value and relevance of research, attracting funding and informing decision-making process.
Knowledge translation: involves the process of binging the gap between research ndings and
their application in practice, policy or innovation. It aims to ensure that research outcomes are
accessible, understood and utilised by relevant stakeholders. It refers to the process of translating
research ndings into practical applications, policies or interventions that bene t society.
Part 1.4 - What is valorization?
The term “valorization” was coined by Karl Marx in his work “Capital”, where it refers to the
capitalist activity of buying commodities to sell them and realise more value than existed before.
Society funds scienti c research and development and in return there is an expectation that this
research will be a driving force to support the transition towards healthier, greener & fairer society.
Scienti c valorisation refers to the utilisation of scienti c knowledge in practice. It us the use, for
socio-economic purposes, of the results of research nanced by public authorities. It represents
society’s direct and indirect return on the public sector’s investment in research and development.
Ways to valorize research results:
• Open science: education and the publication of research results
• Technology transfer: management and use of intellectual property rights
• Open innovation: based on sharing, cooperation between companies, market economy, …
• Creation of new activities - spin o s: based on the results produced by universities, …
Types of valorization:
• Societal valorization: de ned by the lead users which include schools, hospitals, non-pro ts, …
• Economic valorization: de ned nu the lead users which are companies and industrial partners.
Societal research is not always used by societal users, not is economic research always used by
economic users.
University valorization is the process of value-creation out of knowledge. It involves making
knowledge suitable and available for economic or societal utilization. It also includes translating
knowledge into high-potential products, services, processes and industrial activity.
The process involves the active transfer of technology from licensing and spin-o s (1-5%) and
research collaboration (95-99%).
Funding comes from Innoviris (Brussels) and FWO, VALIO, IOF (Flanders).
Part 1.5 - Progress of a research project
Typical research project begins with the research itself, progresses into initial results & culminates
in nal results. These results are disseminated thorough presentations and publications.
Exceptions - master thesis: the university also obtains the property rights on inventions performed
by volunteer researchers, engaged at the university, as far as this transfer of rights is con rmed in
a written correspondence to these people. Master students need to sign con dentiality agree-
ment, transfer IP rights to university and sometimes a con dential version of thesis is necessary.
Lab notes are needed for traceability of research:
- To pass on research group’s knowledge - A reference in the case of con ict
- Avoid loss of information - To allow for easy monitoring
- All data together in one source - Error detection
- Simpli es writing
Do’s:
- Indicate your project in title
- Write with ink/ballpoint
- Record all your work as you progress with a detailed account of your experiments and results,
including your observations and any concepts or ideas you may have
2 of 17
fi fifi fi fi fi fi fi fl ff ff fl fifi fi fi fi ff fi fifi
, - Sign and date daily your entries
- Draw a Kune through unused space, blank pages and incorrect entries to delete them
- Initial and date separately corrections
- Record your work in such a manner that a co-worker can continue from where you stop
- Attach add-on pages or photographs or diagrams, etc with tape and initial and date over tape
Don’ts:
- Take your notebook outside the university
- Remove or add pages
- Erase incorrect entries with white-out
- Treat your notebook as a freely available publication
All lab notebooks are numbered and need to be registered by the Technology Transfer Interface.
In academic valorization, research results can be used in teaching, future research activities,
o ered to companies for further development, obtained publications, conference, presentation, …
Commercial valorization, ndings can be protected via a myriad of means, they can be linked to a
company or transferred to a spin-o company —> need to know where the money came from.
3 main possible situations for academic valorization:
1. All valorization possibilities are open
2. Valorization possibilities exist, yet with constraints
3. The valorization possibilities are already prede ned due to contractual obligations
Limitations arise from intellectual property rights, contracts & agreements, ethical considerations,
open access and open science, academic integrity and norms, regulatory and legal requirements.
Part 1.6 - Technology ownership at university
At the VUB, only the rector can legally bind the university. While someone can be appointed to
sign speci c agreements, the general rule is that all contracts must be signed by the rector; this is
also with NDA’s. Ownership of the results of a doctoral thesis performed at the VUB, belong to the
university. An exception is that the ownership of copyright for academic publications is not
automatically transferred to the university.
Transferring the ownership of research results to more than 1 company is not possible. Once
transferred, no further valorization possibilities are left for the university. A transfer should therefor
be considered as to being a sale.
A licence doesn’t impact ownership and remains with the one granting the licence. Non-exclusive
licenses can be granted to di erent companies for di erent application domains.
Copyright of academic publications is automatically granted to researchers, but this doesn’t
protect the content of the publication if it includes an idea or invention. Copyright only protects
the way of expression and if an article includes an unprotected idea, it can be reproduced or
exploited by others. If an invention is published before patenting, patent protection cannot be
obtained afterward, therefore, it’s crucial to patent rst and then publish.
Part 1.7 - The history go valorization at university
In the beginning the university’s role was knowledge di usion through education. After the rst
revolution (late 1800s), universities focused on knowledge generation through research.
Valorization was seen as academic impact through publications, presentations, books, …
After the second revolution (late 1970s), economic and social development became incorporated
as part of the mission of universities. Valorization expanded to include academic, societal and
economic impact that included social dissemination, websites, media appearances, consulting, …
Decree of June 12, 1991: concerning universities in Flanders, article 169ter stipulated that the
property rights on inventions that, in the context of their research tasks are done by paid sta , are
the property of the university.
3 of 17
ff
fi fi ff ff fi fi ff ff fi ff
