INTERVIEW WITH DR. ALINA BUTU – NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (INCDSB)

“Launching the Knowledge Valorisation Task Force and the Community of Practice is certainly an ambitious endeavour, but one that brings tremendous value. With careful planning and strategic implementation, we can achieve tangible results.”

Dr. Alina Butu shares her perspective on INCDSB’s role in the BEAMING project and the shared journey toward strengthening knowledge valorisation in the circular bioeconomy.

Q: What is the main objective of boosting knowledge valorisation practices, and how does this activity relate to the other BEAMING tasks?

A: The primary goal of strengthening knowledge valorisation within the BEAMING project is to ensure that research and innovation outcomes in the circular bioeconomy are not only produced, but used — turned into real-world applications with societal and economic value. It’s about moving from knowledge to impact — for industry, for policy, and for citizens.

This ambition runs through the main BEAMING tasks:

•            First, we’re establishing a dedicated team and partner network to guide and coordinate knowledge valorisation efforts. This ensures continuity, collaboration, and the sharing of good practices.

•             Second, we’re conducting a deep assessment of institutional frameworks and policies. This allows us to build strategies that truly reflect the needs and context of each partner.

•             Third, we aim to build individual and institutional capacity, equipping our people with the tools and skills to make knowledge work beyond the lab.

•             Finally, we’ll develop tailored action plans for each institution, turning vision into practical steps and sustained progress.

Q: Launching the Knowledge Valorisation Task Force and a Community of Practice can be an ambitious task. Could you provide some examples of how you plan to carry out this activity?

A: It is ambitious and exciting. We see this as a unique opportunity to spark long-term change.
The Knowledge Valorisation Task Force will include one appointed researcher or manager from each partner institution. It will serve as a coordination hub, meeting regularly to exchange experiences, update one another on progress, and share resources related to capacity building and mobility.
The BEAMING Community of Practice (CoP) will function as a peer-to-peer learning network — bringing together professionals from academia, business, and policy to support one another through shared knowledge. Each member will have clearly defined responsibilities, and we’ll use online platforms, as well as dedicated workshops and webinars, to stay connected.
We anticipate particularly inspiring moments during upcoming webinars, where young researchers may benefit from mentoring that helps transform research ideas — still in their early stages — into patents and tangible innovations. These moments will remind us why knowledge valorisation matters — because science has the power to move beyond publications and into people’s lives.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to host the BEAMING Knowledge Valorisation Clustering Event, linking our efforts with projects and initiatives such as the ECBF venture fund, BIOEAST, AFTERBIOCHEM, and BioeconomyVentures. This will lead into the BEAMING Knowledge Valorisation Week, which includes an online bioeconomy exhibition showcasing patents, models, demonstrators, and prototypes from across the consortium.

Q: Could you describe the process of developing specific Knowledge Valorisation Plans for the BEAMING project, and why they are important?

A: These plans are a cornerstone of our work, not just deliverables, but tools for meaningful institutional transformation. We begin with a comprehensive review of each partner’s policies, internal procedures, and regulatory environments. This will be enriched by a set of in-depth case studies and a gap analysis, helping us understand where support is needed most.

Building on these insights, we’ll facilitate expert workshops — hosted by partner institutions and guided by members of our Community of Practice. These sessions will help partners define SMART goals and outline actionable steps to embed knowledge valorisation practices in their institutional DNA. The outcome will be a set of individualised Knowledge Valorisation Action Plans — practical, focused, and aligned with both institutional priorities and European best practices.

Final thoughts:

What we’re doing in BEAMING is more than a set of tasks — it’s about building a culture where research drives innovation, and innovation serves society. By empowering institutions, researchers, and stakeholders with the right tools and networks, we’re creating conditions where good ideas don’t just stay in labs — they evolve into solutions, businesses, and policies that can shape a better future.

As we move forward, we remain committed to fostering collaboration, trust, and shared purpose — because real impact begins when knowledge is valued, and when people come together to make it work.