Impact Study Science Shop WUR
Hereby in summary the results of the impact study carried out in close collaboration with the ENtRANCE project partners. The aim of this impact study is to gain insights in the level of success of the research projects facilitated by the Science Shop Wageningen University & Research (Science Shop WUR). Specifically in what ways the research process facilitated by Science Shop WUR and the related academic knowledge delivered by students and staff is benefiting their target group, which are non-profit organisations dealing with societal challenges. The impact study survey was send to 64 respondents and 24 of those have completed the survey (partly or fully). Most of the respondents (42%) are based in the region of Gelderland, nearby the University. For the reader the Science Shop WUR is using a bottom up and demand driven approach. Which means that non-profit organisations can contact the Science Shop WUR when they have a research need. And when this research request fits the Wageningen University & Research (WUR) domain, has a potential societal impact and staff/students of WUR are eager to contribute to the research request the Science Shop WUR will facilitate the research project. The average timeframe of a Science Shop WUR project is a year up to a year and a half. At the start of the research project an advisory committee is established. Members of the committee are staff of the non-profit organisation, Science Shop WUR coordinator, students and research staff of WUR and other societal actors with a stake in the research project. This committee is established to monitor the progress and to guarantee the quality of the research process and results. In brief the survey shows that there is a high level of satisfaction amongst the respondents in terms of accessibility and approachability, the time frame of the research project and the results of the research project. Through the research project most respondents indicated that they have increased their understanding and awareness about the study topic. However, some respondents have expressed the concern that the research deviated, throughout the process, from the original purpose. Or in some cases did not achieve any result. It seems on this matter that the Science Shop WUR could monitor more intensively the research process and intensify communication among the various partners in the research project. The survey also shows that different organisations ask for different type of engagement, so it is crucial to provide flexibility in the research process and identify at the start the most appropriate desired form of collaboration. Lastly, the results show that it is appropriate that students engaged in Science Shop WUR projects should already possess sound research skills, and that they should achieve training in situational awareness and collaboration skills, for example how to engage and include various stakeholders. Currently we are examining the results of personal interviews to selected respondents in which we will get more in depth understanding about drivers and challenges in the collaboration between non-profit organisations, Science Shop WUR and WUR staff and students.