Poster Lk Network

The Living Knowledgenetwork today

What it is, what it does andwhat it can do for you.

The Living Knowledge network has no cen-tralized structure. It offers national contact points which enhance the flow of informa-tion, but the general exchange takes place directly between participating institutions.It emerged spontaneously out of local, na-tional and international contacts between individual Science Shops. The formation of the network was awarded financial support by the European Union, helping to estab-lish ties between Science Shops around the world. After the establishment, the future structure is still to be discussed.

Network Structure

The Living Knowledge networks offers several practical advantages as well:

Mentoring and training- Consultancy, advise- Exchange- Summer School

Dissemination of results- Magazine and newsletter- Conferences- Linking networks- Public access- Database

Thematic research co-operation- Environmental issues- Urban planning- Science Shop call

Practical Impacts

LIVING KNOWLEDGELIVING KNOWLEDGEThe International Science Shop Network

A Science Shop provides independ-ent, participatory research support in response to concerns experi-enced by civil society.

Science Shops seek to:

- provide civil society with knowl-edge and skills through research and education

- provide their services on an af-fordable basis

- promote and support public ac-cess to and influence on science and technology

- create equitable and supportive partnerships with civil society or-ganisations

- enhance understanding among policy makers and education and research institutions of the re-search and education needs of civil society

- enhance the transferrable skills and knowledge of students, com-munity representatives and re-searchers

Science Shop ?

International Science ShopContact PointUtrecht Universityattn: Caspar de BokPO Box 801253508 TC UtrechtThe Netherlands

Tel.: +.31.30.2534274Fax: +.31.30.2537752E-Mail: [email protected]

Contact

The Living Knowledge network has been part of several EU projects from the begin-ning. Projects like SCIPAS (2000-2001), ISS-NET (2003-2005) and INTERACTS (2001-2003) have helped forming the network. While SCIPAS and ISSNET were focused on the networking of Science Shops, INTER-ACTS was geared towards not only Science Shops, but NGOs and universities as well.

Examples of international Science Shop projects:

TRAMS (Training and Mentoring of Science Shops) helps newly founded Science Shops by offering training material, seminars and coaching.

EFSUPS (Exploring the ground - Fostering scientific understanding in primary schools) is developing teaching material on soil top-ics for kindergarten and primary school.

Accept (NoE) Network of Atmospheric Chemistry

EU Science Shop call (four projects being funded by the EU)InMoSion (Innovative Mobility Solutions

for Mobility Challenged Europeans)VECTOR (Visualisation of the Exposure of

Cyclists to Traffic On Roads)WINDFARMperception (Visual and acous-

tic impact of wind turbine farms on resi-dents)

NewCom (New Communities and Mental Health – A Needs Analysis)

Projects

The network offers

- critical mass- new funding opportunities - access and insight into the European

Commission’s Science and Society program

- support in proposal submitting- National spin off

government, national institutes- Local spin off

hosting institutes, media, public awareness , empowerment

Strategic Impacts