CONRAD Project: Workpackage 2

WP2 Potential for a sustainable network

Objectives

The study will give empirical data for the further development of a sustainable European network comprising research communities in radiation protection dosimetry and the possible role of a Network of Excellence. The means are standard procedures well established in network research. The implementation of these recommendations into a future network will be a second step and is not a goal of the proposed project.

The study will evaluate the ties which link the present network?s members, and will investigate if a more closely integrated network or network structure could be created to ensure improved communication and allow the participants to increase their capabilities of joint innovation initiatives. By conducting questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with key experts (authorities, institutes, senior management at research organisations) it will be possible to compare different options and to analyse the performance achieved with respect to the innovation output of the network. The study will also show which structure fits best for the proposed network goal and the room for improvement of the investigated network. Based on the findings it will be analysed if a Network of Excellence, proposed to strengthen European excellence, will be an effective and efficient structure of the future of a coordinated network for radiation dosimetry. The results of this inquiry will be evaluated in particular with regard to:

• the possible and feasible scope of the future integration scheme;
• optimised mechanisms for research needs to be communicated to the research community;
• improved mechanisms for the absorption of outcomes by other research actors and end-users;
• an optimised structure for operating the network including social and psychological aspects of modern management and
• mechanisms for effective realisation of network activities with optimised assignment of financial and human resources.

The study is performed by experts in the field of network research, until now not acquainted with the radiation protection community. The contact to the organisations which need to be approached as part of the study is performed by the vice-chairman of EURADOS who has, through his involvement with a multitude of international organisations during the last decades, the necessary connections to support the study effectively. The outcome of the study is analysed and reported on.

Milestones and deliverables

Milestones are the design of the study. Deliverables are the description of this study, the questionnaires and the final report. The latter will be used as an important input to the mid-term review of the project and to evaluate possible consequences for the other work packages.