Project Management

UCLan is an experienced co-ordinator of EC projects, so we are familiar with the processes and requirements. The project is on track at mid-point, with everything going much as it usually does, although problems always have their own quirky flavour in any project. This time we have had to deal with the unexpected liquidation of a high-profile partner mid-project, and the consequent reallocation of work and resources. However the project has also become involved in a group of sister projects which have increased exposure and inspiration exponentially. Everyone is very excited to be involved in this. - On the programme level (administrative level): Our relevant experience here is that institutions new to the EC programmes always struggle with accommodating the administrative and financial reporting requirements. Sometimes the more confident the institution the harder they find it, being less flexible despite their technically higher capacity, as they are more bound by norms and procedures into which EC projects do not always easily fit. Participation in an EC project requires a lot of interface between the academic staff involved, and the administrative specialists in the institution and this can be a challenge in a new programme, especially with a third party overseas co-ordinator involved. These new partners always need a lot of support from the co-ordinator (us). - Access to complementary resources and skills: We always try to build this factor into the original consortium mix, but again have been pleasantly surprised by the abilities of different players to contribute to different (planned) aspects of the project - eg website/writing competition/film making/ youtube channel. I would also say that participation as a small partner in an EC grant is an excellent way to dip your toe in the water and increase your capacity while you explore whether this avenue of funding suits you and your institution. - Keeping up with major technological developments: Participation in this particular project actually requires our (expert) partners to do this, so it creates and provides opportunities to eg attend conferences on synthetic biology or conduct fact-finding missions to South America in special areas of interest that may otherwise not have been possible, thus contributing to cross-fertilisation of expertise. - Exploring different technological opportunities: Again this is a generic factor in undertaking the required work. - Gain a window into 'state of the art' technology: Participation in the project will certainly do this! - Networking / find new partners: This is always an incredible pay-off from engagement in such projects, which almost always catalyse new and exciting partnerships and collaborations. - Promote user/producer interactions: Yes - this is what the project is partly about - end-user engagement in development of new science and technology innovations. - Joint creation and promotion of technical standards: Yes, in a generic, responsible research and innovation (RRI) sense. - Improve speed of bringing innovation to market: There may be some aspects of this with regard to governance procedures and ethics. - Allow entry into a new market: Much of the project's output regarding pro-poor innovation relies on this argument. It would not directly affect industry innovations as part of the project though. - Obtain funding: Definitely. Participation in EC projects brings generous funding, but also requires institutions to contribute part-funding so this is a way of getting funding for what you want to do, where it aligns with EC priorities.