ANNUAL REVIEW | 2016 WIDENING OUR IMPACT
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Open sourcing and evaluation delivers new research projects
An experimental approach to assessing new project proposals using a principle of open evaluation led to a new collaboration between the Medical Technologies IKC and the Centre for Technology Innovation and Engagement at Leeds University Business School( LUBS).
The project, devised by Dr Matthew Mount and Professor Krsto Pandza, aimed to investigate the implications of opening the process of evaluation of promising research proposals to evaluators with different backgrounds, in order to make the process of innovation more responsible.
The project used an innovative IT platform provided by Codigital. The Medical Technologies IKC put out a call for proposals via its national networks. Researchers at all different levels were invited to fill in a simple online form, outlining their project.
The proposals were anonymised and reviewed independently by around 30 assessors each contributing different expertise, including legal, medical, IT, business and patient experience. Interestingly, although the assessors delivered their verdicts without consultation, they were in almost complete agreement about which projects should receive funding. The successful proposals were announced at the Medical Technologies IKC Annual Meeting.
Two projects were selected: the first, led by Dr Antonios Anastasiou, at the University of Leeds, will look at periodontal restoration using femtosecond lasers; while Dr Cheryl Miller, at the University of Sheffield, will lead a project investigating dual-action injectable bone graft substitutes for unmet clinical needs in orthopaedic and dental surgery.
“ We were really intrigued by the LUBS model and it was fascinating to see it implemented,” says Dr Jenny Spear, Technology Innovation Manager at the Medical Technologies IKC.“ Many of the proposals we received were from early career researchers, showing there’ s a real need to develop new funding opportunities for these groups, as well as translational research support for the next generation of researchers.”
Several of the evaluators have agreed to continue working with the researchers to further develop and shape the projects, adding a further strength to the collaborative development of science-based research projects. This unique open approach to evaluate, select and co-develop research projects could significantly increase the transparency and responsiveness of innovation. n
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We were really intrigued by the LUBS model and it was fascinating to see it implemented,” says Dr Jenny Spear, Technology Innovation Manager at the Medical Technologies IKC.“ Many of the proposals we received were from early career researchers, showing there’ s a real need to develop new funding opportunities for these groups, as well as translational research support for the next generation of researchers.
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