Abstract
Impact-driven research is a EU priority and, increasingly, for universities around Europe. Still, there is need for specific strategies to improve the societal impact of scientific knowledge and therewith improve the uptake of scientific results. Co-creation deeply evolves the role of scientific knowledge and increases its impact. Albeit there is much research on the conceptualization and contextualization of co-creation, research on the microlevel dynamics of co-creation is less common. This article aims to understand the dynamics of and clarify the role of co-creation within and between quadruple helix actors (academia, government, industry and societal partners). Here, co-creation refers to the collaboration, where such actors actively join forces to address challenges. This paper revolves around insights from the European Commission Horizon 2020-project—Accomplissh (www.accomplissh.eu) which stands for “Accelerate co-creation by setting up a multi-actor platform for impact from Social Sciences and Humanities”. The results lay bare a set of obstacles, areas of consideration and enablers in co-creation. This said, it is argued that scientific knowledge is optimally utilized when a set of guidelines or recommendations are followed and carried out by all involved actors.
Highlights
The university institution is strongly connected to society; the word university is derived from the Latin word Universitas meaning “the whole, the universe, the world”
The last decade increasing attention has been drawn to knowledge exchange, co-creation, science-informed policy-making and the overall role of academia for societal development (Gluckman, 2018; International Science Council, 2019; Oliver & Cairny, 2019; Phipps & Morton, 2013)
Co-creation and impact-driven research is a priority for the EU and, increasingly, for universities around Europe
Summary
The university institution is strongly connected to society; the word university is derived from the Latin word Universitas meaning “the whole, the universe, the world”. As Grau et al (2017) argue: Stier and Smit J Innov Entrep (2021) 10:35 universities are either part of the problem—by neglecting regional, national or global commitments, or part of the solution—by acting in favor of the public good. Universities of the latter “type” have contributed with scientific knowledge to society to meet societal challenges and bring new insights to the (policy) tables. The high level of complexity of society’s current day challenges requires a multidisciplinary approach This being said, European universities are encouraged or obliged to initiate impact-driven research and co-creation with actors outside academia. The last decade increasing attention has been drawn to knowledge exchange, co-creation, science-informed policy-making and the overall role of academia for societal development (Gluckman, 2018; International Science Council, 2019; Oliver & Cairny, 2019; Phipps & Morton, 2013)
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