What does valorisation mean to you?
“Valorisation has many consequences. However, financial return and societal impact are secondary for me. First and foremost, valorisation should align with the university's core processes. That means it should always have a positive effect on both research and education. When these three form a unity, I believe it becomes sustainable and most beneficial to the university.”
“I’ve seen this, for example, at the University of Cambridge, where I also conducted research. They focus on building research capacity and keeping smart people close. Years after my research there, I still had my library card and attended university meetings. That benefits both the university and its researchers.”
What do you see as your role as Director of Valorisation?
“The Faculty of Science has adopted a very active approach to valorisation. My predecessor, Davide Iannuzzi, did an excellent job. His focus was especially on supporting researchers and creating a safe environment.”
What do you mean by a safe environment?
“There will always be tension between academic responsibilities and valorisation activities. If the environment isn’t safe—or rather, not clear—this can lead to problems. For example, academic independence might come into question if someone seems to have other interests. These things need to be well regulated, and I believe I understand that, partly due to my own experience.”
How do you do that?
“By making agreements very explicit and transparent, clearly defining the rules between the researcher and the faculty, and above all, facilitating the dialogue. That ensures a smooth relationship between valorisation and academic work, without creating tension.”
What are the key focus areas for valorisation in the near future?
“In the few weeks I’ve been in this role, I already see that valorisation at the university can take many different forms. Especially now that I’ve seen the kinds of activities other faculties are engaged in. I believe valorisation can be very broad—addressing societal issues, or participating in wider discussions at various levels. That’s something we can learn from, and something the science domain could benefit from more.”
“As scientists, we often think of valorisation in terms of patenting inventions or creating spin-out companies. That’s definitely something I enjoy and want to contribute to. But valorisation is broader than that, and we also need to explore how to better support those other forms.”
