EPA Research

Communicating the Outputs

Dr Shane Colgan

11th September 2013

EPA Research � Three Pillars

Sustainability

Pillar

Water

Pillar

Climate

Pillar

Identifying Pressures

Informing Policy

Developing Solutions

EPA Research � Three Objectives

EPA Research: 2014-2020

• Overall Objectives largely similar..

• To contribute to the protection and improvement

of our natural environment and our health, by

addressing key environmental issues through

targeted research.

• But in a changing landscape…

– Tighter Resources (funding, staff…)

– More emphasis on collaboration

– More focus on outputs

EPA Research: 2014-2020

• Overall Objectives largely similar..

• To contribute to the protection and improvement

of our natural environment and our health, by

addressing key environmental issues through

targeted research.

• But in a changing landscape…

– Tighter Resources (funding, staff…)

– More emphasis on collaboration

– More focus on outputs

Innovation on STRIVE

1. Greater focus on dissemination (regular updates,

dedicated budget on projects)

2. Greater focus on co-funding (National/ Intl)

3. Networking wrt Forfas initiative and EU funding leverage

4. Establish Science Advisory Board

5. Behavioural changes � Resource efficient economy

6. Inclusion of raw materials research

7. Piloting of citizen-centric innovations

8. Grant Management Admin enhancements (Horizon 2020)

9. Simplified reporting & financial

Innovation on STRIVE

1. Greater focus on dissemination (regular updates,

dedicated budget on projects)

2. Greater focus on co-funding (National/ Intl)

3. Networking wrt Forfas initiative and EU funding leverage

4. Establish Science Advisory Board

5. Behavioural changes � Resource efficient economy

6. Inclusion of raw materials research

7. Piloting of citizen-centric innovations

8. Grant Management Admin enhancements (Horizon 2020)

9. Simplified reporting & financial

Communicating Outputs: Written

• Summary of Findings (2 pages)

• STRIVE Reports (30-70 pages)

• Project Final Reports (100+ pages)

• Peer-review papers

• Policy Briefs

• Articles in trade journals etc

1 : 3 : 25

• 1 page outline of the main messages that

have come from the research

• 3 page executive summary

• 25 pages to present the findings and

methodology used in a language that is clear

and accessible to the non-research specialist.

Canadian Health Services Research Foundation

Communicating Outputs: Written

• Summary of Findings (2 pages)

• STRIVE Reports (30-70 pages)

• Project Final Reports (100+ pages)

• Peer-review papers

• Policy Briefs

• Articles in trade journals etc

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

No

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ap

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Citing Years

Journal Papers & Irish Environ Research (Thomson-Reuters: Environment/Ecology)

Communicating Outputs: Other

• Conference Presentations

• Workshops

• SAFER Data, Open Access

• Social media – YouTube; LinkedIn…

Communicating Outputs: Future

• Experience/Practice to date

• Practice in other funding programmes

• AquaTT and TCD projects on science-policy

• Ideas and Opinions from research performers

and users

Communicating Outputs: Future

• Experience/Practice to date

• Practice in other funding programmes

• AquaTT and TCD projects on science-policy

• Ideas and Opinions from research performers

and users

1. Written Communications…

�What are the right approaches?

�1: 3 : 25 – suitable?, big projects?

2. Other communications…

• Workshops & seminars?

• Data sharing, Open access?

• Role for social media?

3. Resourcing these activities…

• Proposal: scoring weight?; Funding %?

• During project, post project?

• Ring-fence dissemination budget?

1. Written Communications…

�What are the right approaches?

�1: 3 : 25 – suitable?, big projects?

2. Other communications…

• Workshops & seminars?

• Data sharing, Open access?

• Role for social media?

3. Resourcing these activities…

• Proposal: scoring weight?; Funding %?

• During project, post project?

• Ring-fence dissemination budget?

Thank You for your Time & InputThank You for your Time & InputThank You for your Time & InputThank You for your Time & Input