Third Mission and Social Impact

Credits: 5 
Minimum attendance: 75% + Passing the final test

The in-person course will be taught in English 

The "Third Mission and Social Impact" training course explores the role of academic research in generating cultural, economic, and social impact. Designed for early-career researchers and PhD candidates, the programme provides participants with an understanding of intellectual property mechanisms and helps them navigate the various forms of intellectual property protection and research valorisation.

Participants will gain practical knowledge of patenting processes and national and international patent procedures, with a particular focus on emerging challenges related to software, artificial intelligence, and patents in the field of mechanical engineering. They will also develop entrepreneurial skills, including the creation of business models, the establishment of university spin-offs, and the use of practical tools such as the Business Model Canvas.

Finally, the course will devote significant attention to public funding opportunities, providing an overview of the main national and European funding programmes that support innovation. Public engagement will also be a key component of the programme, equipping participants with the skills needed to communicate research effectively to a broader audience.

COURSE PROGRAMME
Day 1 – Introduction and Intellectual Property
Day 2 – Forms of protection
Day 3 – Software, AI and new forms of protection, and patents in the mechanical engineering sector
Day 4 – Subsidised finance
Day 5 – Public engagement

     Programme