First sensemaking session on Basque science, technology and innovation policies
On June 2nd, at the Bizkaia Aretoa in Bilbao, we held the first sensemaking session within the framework of the study on Basque science, technology and innovation (STI) policies from the restoration of self-government to the present day.
This session brought together a diverse group of strategic actors from the Basque STI network (including Ikerbasque, SPRI, Innobasque, Euskampus Fundazioa, the Basque Technology Parks, among others), with the aim of collectively sharing, contrasting and enriching the preliminary analysis based on more than 50 in-depth interviews conducted in the first phase of the study.
We were also joined by Mikel Landabaso, Director of the Seville office of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), whose intervention provided a highly relevant European perspective to the collective reflection.
The meeting had two main objectives:
- To validate and nuance the key themes identified so far.
- To gather strategic guidance for the next phase of data collection and analysis.
Throughout the session, key issues for the future of the Basque STI system were discussed. Among others, participants addressed the need to strengthen inter-institutional collaboration, the role of the university in the new technological context, the lack of critical mass in certain scientific areas, and the challenge of embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and Deep Tech. The discussion also highlighted the importance of rethinking knowledge transfer mechanisms, and the need of developing a shared vision around future priority sectors, such as health and care in an ageing society.
This was the first of several sessions that will be held throughout the study. The next thematic session will take place on July 7th, and will delve into the gender perspective in the design of STI policies.
We sincerely thank all participants for their active engagement. Your knowledge and experience are essential to giving this collective analytical exercise depth and shared meaning.