Format: Short Training Course for Research Managers

Summary: Key features in a nutshell

• A short in-person training course for research and knowledge transfer managers of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and local partner institutions
• Dual format: presentation of research projects at different development stages, with a focus on policy engagement, followed by a roundtable with experts (research facilitator, research manager, and postdoctoral researcher)
• Valuable opportunity to share best practices and tools and analyse key elements to consider during the project design phase, specifically on the impact of projects on policymaking
• Networking opportunity at the end of the training course
• Course hours are recognized as official training by the competent office within the university (all the staff from Italian Public Administration are required to attend at least 40 hours of training annually)

How does the format works?

Before the course

The ENGAGEgreen project unit of the Department of Economics at Ca’ Foscari, together with the office for Promoting Innovation and Knowledge (PInK), drafts the agenda and selects speakers through regular online and in-person meetings. Other tasks include:

Setting up a registration form with a timely deadline necessary to know the final number of participants, both to book the room and for providing the light refreshments foreseen as a networking moment at the end of the course.

Communication of the event on official social media accounts and the university’s internal newsletter targeted to research and knowledge transfer managers.

Contacting the university’s Human Resources and Development Office to confirm the procedure to approve participants’ training hours.

During the course

Registration of participants for the accreditation of training hours.

After the course

The organizers send a message of thanks to speakers and participants, inviting them to follow the project’s updates on social media and asking them to complete a short questionnaire providing feedback on different aspects of the event.

Challenges (and ways to address them)

• Finalize the program well in advance to have enough time for promotion before the registration deadline. Mitigation measures: constant communication between organizers to keep them reminded of the timeline.
• Speakers unavailable in-person at the last minute. Mitigation measures: set up an online meeting link in advance and select a room with the proper equipment in the event of a hybrid session.

Tasks and resources

Project team

Coordinates agenda, speakers’ involvement, registration & communication, meeting room and catering services.

Co-organizing office

The office for Promoting Innovation and Knowledge, co-organizing the training, is involved in all preliminary phases, in particular to identify the most suitable topic and related speakers.

Speakers

They meet separately with the organizers to decide on the topic, time and other details relating to the presentations. They prepare the presentation material: slides and links to share with those present.

Required funding for activities

All speakers are affiliated with the university, so no funding is expected for their travel/accomodation.

Light refreshments (e.g., coffee break/snacks) are offered during the networking moment at the end of the training.

Sources and further reading

Ca’ Foscari University event webpage.