International research assessment workshop leads to emergence of a 'network of networks

Brussels, 22 Jun 2004

Delegations from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada and New Zealand were in Brussels on 17 and 18 June to attend a workshop aimed at exploring ways to improve and coordinate the performance assessment of public research and development (R&D) programmes.

The event was organised by the European Commission in collaboration with the Washington research evaluation network (WREN) and the office of science of the US Department of Energy.

Issues raised during the two day workshop included the assessment of the impact of research on growth and innovation; the exchange of data between nations in order to facilitate comparisons; value creation through research collaboration platforms and networks; and science indicators and R&D methodological models.

Birgit de Boissezon, head of the planning, programming and evaluation unit of the Commission's Research DG, said: 'What we are seeing in this event is a network of networks emerging. [All parties] came together in an inspiring and useful exchange of common challenges, experiences and possible solutions to performance assessment of research programmes.'

The director of the office planning and analysis at the US Department of Energy's office of science, Bill Valdez, revealed that: 'This workshop has made it clear that the US and EU share a common goal when it comes to the evaluation of science and technology programmes: demonstrating that the taxpayer's investment is paying off in terms of new products and services that improve their lives.

'As a result of this workshop, US and EU evaluators have set a strong foundation for future cooperation. We will work together to ensure that the benefits of R&D investment to national economies and societies are understood by everyone,' he added.

For its part, the South Korean delegation said that it had found the event useful as an opportunity for networking and exchanging views, and expressed its desire to further cooperate with the EU and US in research evaluation, if possible by hosting a similar event in the future.

For further information, please consult the following web address:
http://www.science.doe.gov/sc-5/wren/ind ex.html

CORDIS RTD-NEWS / © European Communities
Item source: http://dbs.cordis.lu/cgi-bin/srchidadb?CALLER=NHP_EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN= EN_RCN_ID:22221