Maximising Impact: The Role of Communication in European Research Projects

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When you think of a team with highly educated and motivated individuals – project managers, scientists, and innovators – then you might see them all dedicated to developing groundbreaking solutions for a sustainable future. However, despite their hard work and remarkable innovations, the public often remains unaware of their essential contributions. This is where communication, dissemination, and exploitation come into play. Innovative research yields results, but it’s the effective communication and dissemination of those results that ultimately drive impact. By understanding the interplay between results and their impact, organisations can ensure that their work resonates with a broader audience.

The power of good results and effective communication

The relationship between results and impact is straightforward: meaningful results lead to significant impact, and effective communication amplifies this impact even further. When individuals are informed and inspired by well-documented innovations, the potential for change naturally increases. This is why, in today’s fast-paced environment, effective communication is more important than ever. It allows organisations to articulate clear and compelling narratives about their work, while also fostering brand loyalty and strengthening relationships with stakeholders. Those who master these skills not only gain a competitive edge, but also significantly enhance their influence and effectiveness in their respective field.

When communication, dissemination and exploitation come into play

In European research projects, a distinction is made between communication, dissemination, and exploitation, which are interlinked, but yet distinct components to enhance the impact of research outcomes. Communication focuses on sharing information and engaging with stakeholders to raise awareness and understanding of the project goals and results. Dissemination, on the other hand, focuses on the active distribution of project results and findings to relevant stakeholders, ensuring that the knowledge gained reaches those who can benefit from it. Finally, Exploitation refers to the practical application of research results, aiming to convert innovations into tangible products, services, or processes that can create scientific, economic, environmental and societal value.

How to create greater impact

It is through professional, targeted communication, dissemination and exploitation activities that the results of engineers’ and researchers’ work receive the response they deserve. All three aspects are essential for maximising the benefits of research initiatives. Moreover, they are relevant not only for scientists and research project managers but also for brand owners and innovators in the private sector. To learn more, join the upcoming webinar, where we will explore the essentials of communication, dissemination, and exploitation. Discover best-practice examples of how effective communication can enhance your impact in European research projects.

In our upcoming webinar we will:

cover the fundamentals of communication, dissemination and exploitation (CDE) in Horizon Europe (HEU) projects, exploring which skills and competences are necessary for good communication
discuss why CDE is important in HEU and examine the special features that must be considered for communication and dissemination in this context.
gain an understanding of how to measure the success of CDE activities, including the definition of key performance indicators (KPIs) and realistic target figures, alongside strategies for risk assessment and mitigation.
address the consideration of both individual and continuous activities and learn how to consider mandatory implementation of diversity and inclusion in HEU projects.
discuss best-practice examples to illustrate successful CDE strategies in European projects.
get equipped with the essential skills and knowledge needed to manage and optimise CDE activities effectively in the context of European projects.

Interested to gain more insights?

Join nova’s webinar on “Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation in European Research Projects”, 4 December 2024, 14:00 – 16:00 CET, with Dušica Banduka, Project Manager Communication and Dissemination, and Dr. Anke Schwarzenberger, Project Manager Communication and Dissemination, and Dr. Stefanie Fulda, Head of Communications (all nova-Institute)

Have a look at the research projects the nova-Institute is part of: https://nova-institute.eu/references/#tab-researchprojects