Challenge 2a: What tools for strategy planning and decision making?

N. Williams, Associate Director, Corporate Policy and Governance, European Science Foundation (ESF)
The 2006-2007 Survey of European Research Infrastructures - results, lessons and the future
The survey was undertaken as a joint initiative by the European Commission, the European Science Foundation (ESF) and the European Heads of Research Councils (EuroHORCs). The results, based on data from over 500 Research Infrastructures, show patterns across scientific domains, countries, by size of Research Infrastructure, age of Research Infrastructure and many other criteria. Particularly interesting are patterns in domains which are relatively “new” to the concept of research infrastructures: the Humanities, Social Sciences and Biomedical and Life Sciences. The results give a basis both for scientific information and for strategic iscussion, where they provide an important complement to the ESFRI Roadmaps. It is, however, only an incomplete snapshot and a European Research Infrastructure database of the future lies elsewhere than questionnaire based surveys.

J.-P. Caminade, European Project Manager for the SOLEIL Synchrotron
Benchmarking exercises: European Research Infrastructures Development Watch (ERID-Watch)
Based on the Open Method of Coordination, the objective of the ERID-Watch Coordination Action is to improve Member States policies which impact the public investment efficiency for Research Infrastructures (RIs) and develop Public/Private Partnerships (PPP) in this context.
ERID-Watch will aim to optimise the investment in RIs by identifying good practices governing this mechanism, and to provide public authorities in charge of RI programmes with recommendations to disseminate this experience on a larger European scale.
It is envisaged that this objective will be achieved in two ways:
• by stimulating new approaches to the construction and up-grading of RIs through the
leverage of public procurement policies;
• by identifying and stimulating Knowledge & Technology transfers of emerging crosscutting
technologies.

S. Larsen, Member of the Board of the Danish Council for Strategic Research, Director of Research, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF)
Towards a Danish Roadmap for Research Infrastructures
Following a survey of Danish researchers’ use of and needs for research infrastructures (Future Research Infrastructures- Needs, Survey and Strategy Proposal, DSF publication, Dec. 2005), the Danish Government created a national infrastructure pool (27 M euro for 2007-2009). The main purpose of this pool is to support all areas of science, to establish large national research facilities (min. 2.7 M euro) and facilitate Danish participation in mature large international research infrastructures. Based on the survey and on the results of the first call for expressions of interest, the Danish Agency for Science Technology and Innovation is going to set up a roadmap for future investments in research infrastructures to be published in the second half of 2008.

C. Nicoll, Minister-Counsellor (Education, Science and Training), Australian Mission to the European Union
The Australian roadmap: State of advancement
Australia’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) has been developed over the past four years through a national and comprehensive process of consultation. This presentation will provide an outline of the NCRIS process, identify the key principles for investment in research infrastructure under NCRIS, and share insights into the development of the NCRIS Roadmap and future directions for funding research infrastructure in Australia.

P. Boekholt, Director of Technopolis BV
Impact studies
Public investment to establish, develop and network Research Infrastructures (RIs) is primarily aimed at creating better opportunities for scientists to conduct state-of-the-art research. The direct effects on science and the exploitation of science are however difficult to measure. Even more difficult is to establish the socioeconomic impacts of RIs, as these could include effects on industrial users, societal groups, regional economies and even the position of Europe in the global knowledge economy. These effects could take years to emerge and are influenced by many other factors. Patries Boekholt’s presentation will elaborate on ways to measure RI impact and in particular the Community support of Research Infrastructures.