With this additional contribution, societal impact can be created. Knowledge utilization is important for current science but is often challenging in practice. Therefore, when opportunities for society suddenly arise, it is beneficial for these opportunities to be utilized. Knowledge utilization increases the chance of societal impact of research and is therefore an important part of the NWO strategy.
Researchers interested in applying for the Impact Explorer can submit a proposal in the ongoing call. The subsidy is intended for activities to validate the potential societal impact of discoveries from more curiosity-driven research, from the Talent Scheme, and from the Open Competitions of both NWO and ZonMw, and to explore a route to achieve this. In total, 1,000,000 euros are available for small subsidies between 20,000 and 30,000 euros. A concise application procedure is used.
The awarded projects of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc are:
Blurring boundaries in the case of AI@work: exploring opportunities for a professional learning program to educate AI polymaths. – of Professor Knowledge and Organization Marleen Huysman.
In the AI-Know project she explored how AI developers can effectively collaborate with domain experts to enhance knowledge work. The research revealed that successful integration of AI requires more than just collaboration, and that boundary spanning roles can be counterproductive. It necessitates a blurring of developer and user roles, giving rise to novel 'joint fields of practice’. Huysman proposes to conduct a market exploration to assess the opportunities for a professional learning program aimed at preparing people for these new joint fields of practice. Harnessing this knowledge is crucial for responsible and effective AI utilization in professional work domains.
MAnaging the GAp between Scientific Insights/Societal Impact in NEonatal care (MAGASINE)
Developing a glossy magazine about healthcare professional-parent communication – of University lecturer in Language and Health Communication Nanon Labrie.
Preterm infants (6.6% Dutch births) often receive complex care in the neonatal (intensive) care unit (NICU). In the NICU, parents continually communicate with their infants’ healthcare professionals. The IMPACT-project has shown that this communication strongly affects care outcomes. Think of (long-term) parental stress, medical knowledge, and satisfaction. But also: professionals’ job satisfaction and burnout. These results have resulted in the NICU Communication Framework, which has been published in scientific journals. Together with Impact Partner Care4Neo, Labrie now wants to share these findings with professionals and parents, by developing a unique glossy magazine about the importance of communication in neonatal care.
CREATIVE PRESS: Reporting Against Censorship and Apathy in Venezuela - of anthropologist Eva van Roekel
How to act morally during crisis if you live in a society with chronic opacity and fake news? Disinformation is an increasing problem for societies. Censorship and apathy further aggravate adequate dissemination of pressing societal issues. For her Veni-research ‘Emergency Ethics’ about concrete ethical behaviour regarding survival practices during overlapping crises in Venezuela, an interdisciplinary Impact team that consist of the local media platform Runrun.es, media professionals, the human rights organisation Provea and the Dutch Embassy in Caracas, will develop CREATIVE PRESS—a new media strategy that advances creative journalism for societal dissemination about emerging crisis developments in Venezuela.
Channeling knowledge and expertise on childhood trauma - of psychiatrist Christiaan Vinkers
Childhood trauma (CT) increases lifetime risk of mental and physical symptoms. Extensive literature review and consultation with patient representatives, part of a VIDI project, yielded new information about long-term biological and psychological consequences of CT and about resilience after CT. However, this information is not available to everyone. Current online information on CT is fragmented regarding causes and consequences, lacks information on resilience and often a solid scientific basis. The current project plan is to shape a platform with objective and accessible knowledge on CT. This is a first step to unite Dutch parties that value CT prevention and treatment.
For the full list of awards, please read the NWO news article
If you have your own research project for which you would like to apply, please contact VU IXA-GO.