Overview CBSS Baltic Sea Science Day Turku, 25.01.2018 Klaus v. Lepel, Ministry of Science, Research and Equalities, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
What is the Baltic Science Network? BSN is a new network, which serves as transnational forum for higher education, science, and research cooperation of the Baltic Sea Region BSN is a political network gathering relevant transnational, national, and regional policy actors from the BSR countries The Network serves as a springboard for targeted multi-lateral activities in the frame of research and innovation excellence, mobility of scientists and widening participation
BSN in a Nutshell international European/EU transnational/ macroregional national regional local Science policy today is mainly pursued from a regional, national or European angel. But national or regional answers are not sufficient anymore for the large societal challenges A closer transnational cooperation in higher education, science and research within the Baltic Sea Region is needed Within the Baltic Sea Region a macroregional dimension is missing in the science policy field BSN is the answer!
Main Objectives Positioning of BSN as the voice of the macroregion in the field of science policy Develop and implement science policies and strategies in the BSR in a macro-regional dimension Widen BSR multilateral science cooperation Develop new mobility tools + funding instruments Joint strategy making Transnational utilization of R&I infrastructures Integrate in a coordinated manner macro-regional interests into science policy on EU, national, regional and local level
Set-up of BSN Lithuania Ministry of Education and Science Research and Higher Education Monitoring and Analysis Centre (MOSTA) Poland University of Gdansk Ministry of Science and Higher Education Denmark Ministry of Higer Education and Research, Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education (DASHE) Sweden Swedish Research Council Russian Federation St. Petersburg State University of Economics (UNECON) Finland University of Turku Åbo Akademi University (representing BUP) Ministry of Education and Culture Norway Ministry of Education and Research Baltic Sea Region Council of the Baltic Sea States EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region NordForsk Research organisation of the Nordic Council of Ministers Baltic Sea Region University Network Baltic University Programme BONUS STRING Estonia Ministry of Education and Research Latvia Ministry of Education and Science Germany Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research and Equalities Senate Chancellery of Hamburg Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Science and Equality of the Land of Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of the Land of Mecklenburg Hither Pomerania
Embracing Complementarity BSN is interwoven in the following regional structures: One of the major projects of the Council of the Baltic Sea Sea States Science, Research & Innovation Agenda Flagship of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region under the PA Education, Research and Employability Establishment of the network is funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme, approx. 3 mio., 2016-2019 Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference 2017 in Hamburg
Added Value Common platform for closer policy cooperation Political decision makers are integrated in the whole process just from the beginning Synergetic approach which incorporates and builds on: already existing structures in the Baltic Sea Region on-going initiatives related to higher education, science, and research policy
Implementation of the Core Work Packages
Research & Innovation Excellence Identification of current challenges for science and research cooperation High levels of administrative burdens (e.g. lack of overview of funding programmes, lack of strategic coordination, lack of project support) Imbalance of funding & reputation of research institutions among partners Joint transnational strategies for scientific excellence by initiating expert groups on Life sciences Photon/ neutron sciences Welfare state Transnational utilisation of research & innovation infrastructure Joint programming
Mobility in Research and Higher Education Identification of challenges hampering more active mobility among scientists within the BSR Challenges in the regional dimension: BSR not seen as a priority region for mobility; technological differences; research mobility-related risks of brain drain Challenges in the national and institutional dimension: absence of measures for attracting talents; absence of national support programs for outgoing visits; difficulties of accessing funds/ grants for mobility/ research; high administrative burdens; language barriers Structured mobility tools More than 80 mobility tools exist in the BSR, but information on them is not easily accessible for everyone, scattered scene Mostly restricted on certain programmes & countries, no allencompassing tool that focuses on BSR specifically (exception BONUS) Mobility funding instrument
Widening Participation Identification of challenges for widening participation Matthew effect in research in BSR Researchers rely on old boys networks when initiating projects It is difficult for researchers from EU13 states to access these networks Countries with higher RDI budgets have higher research output, receive more EU funding, have more excellent research institutions and are more likely to cooperate with each other Limited participation of EU13 countries (except for EE): low number of proposals; lack of staff with necessary knowledge in drafting proposals; limited funds Innovative tools and concepts for widening participation Projects with thematic focus on BSR could foster national interest Application support for EU13 countries: common service areas; foster organisational capacities for drafting proposals; provide a template for partners to approach funders
Follow the Network Website: http://www.baltic-science.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbss_sria Hashtags: #BalticScience & #BalticScienceNetwork Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cbsssecretariat/albums
Further Enquiries Please contact our project team: Klaus von Lepel, Julia Gottwald, Katariina Röbbelen-Voigt, Blanka Thees Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Ministry of Science, Research and Equalities bsn-info@bwfg.hamburg.de +49-40-42863-2004