Top-level research’s critical friend
F
rom its beginning four years ago, the programme has evolved from the first definition of thematic areas and funding announcements into a broad portfolio of research and innovation projects that each in its own way help to achieve the ambitious objectives set out by the Nordic prime ministers in 2008. The Nordic consulting firm DAMVAD, led by Associated Senior Consultant Morten Wied, has followed developments closely to evaluate the initiative’s progress and growth. Not just for the history books Not all research programmes are evaluated. And those that are, are usually evaluated after they have been concluded. By then the important decisions have long since been taken, according to Mr Wied. The problem in these cases is that the relevance of the evaluation may be limited to its use in an historical perspective. In this evaluation, however, the consultant and his colleagues have had a rare opportunity to participate in ongoing work and decision-making processes. The evaluation of the Top-level Research Initiative has been an unusual and challenging task for me, says Mr Wied. – First of all, due to its long time frame. It has been a unique learning experience to watch as the policy, programme, projects and not least the people have evolved over a time horizon that we consultants seldom get to work with. Second, the evaluation has given me true insight into the ‘engine room’ behind the programme, and the real problems, assessments and learning that emerge underway. Open dialogue There are a myriad of challenges related to carrying out a real-time evaluation. The persons conducting the evaluation must balance the roles of «critical friend» and «impartial
e valuator» in a clear, transparent manner. – My sense is that we have succeeded in this in the evaluation of the Top-level Research Initiative, states Mr Wied, who found the dialogue between the parties in the programme to be constructive, open and honest. The challenges identified along the way have provided a basis for productive discussion and assessment within the organisation regarding issues such as industry involvement, the balance between innovation activities and basic research, the number of thematic areas and the prioritisation of funding among them. Great ambitions The four evaluation reports present the Toplevel Research Initiative as a well-functioning research and innovation programme with a relevant, balanced portfolio of promising projects. There are, however, many thematic priorities – perhaps too many for the initiative’s own good, according to DAMVAD. With its extensive size and scope, the initiative has great ambitions in a variety of areas. – I think the real-time evaluation has influenced the development of the Top-level Research Initiative, asserts Mr Wied. Most of the funding had been allocated before the evaluation commenced, so the influence in this regard has been limited to the strategic funding reserve, which was allocated in 2013. According to the consultant, however, this influence was significant. In order to get the most out of the remainder of the funding, it was decided to build on positions of strength already achieved under the initiative, with a focus on green growth. – In my opinion, the Top-level Research Initiative has invested in an array of promising, relevant projects headed by talented people, concludes Mr Wied. – This is the programme’s greatest strength.
45
Three new projects have been launched in 2013 within the Top-level Research Initiative under the call for proposals for «Green Growth in an Era of Climate Change». • Resource-based Green Growth under Climate Change: Ecological and Socio-Economic Constraints (ResGreen) The project will investigate how renewable resources can be used more efficiently to ensure that ecosystems retain their functionality. • Drinking Water Treatment Adaptation to Increasing Levels of DOM and Changing DOM Quality under Climate Change (DOMQUA) The project focuses on the increased concentration of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in Nordic lakes and rivers as a result of climate change. One of the project goals is to assess how to adapt drinking water facilities in the Nordic countries to future DOM concentrations. • Impact of Future Cryospheric Changes on the Northern Hemisphere. Climate, Green Growth and Society (GREENICE) The project is working to increase understanding about the future interaction between climate change and changes in sea-ice and snow-cover in the Northern Hemisphere.