p2i In Action,
Duisburg, Germany
Between 21 - 24 October 2024, researchers from p2i partners and various disciplines came together in Europe's industrial power house: The Ruhrgebiet (Germany), for the p2i: In Action event. The event was hosted by The University of Duisburg-Essen in Duisburg, Germany to explore and learn about innovation and entrepreneurship.
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Participants were exposed to an entrepreneurial way of thinking and learnt the process to develop ideas into potential business ventures and how to communicate these through interactive team work sessions. There were plenty of opportunities to network.
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The participants gained business knowledge and a set of business skills that will complement their research skills.
Through developing the skill of validating business ideas, researchers can enhance their decision-making abilities, strategic thinking, resource management, risk assessment, and adaptability, all of which can be applied in careers in and outside academia, including starting a business.
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The participants also learned how to align their research to the UN sustainable development goals, to highlight the broader societal impact of your work and increase its visibility and impact. ​​​​​​​​​​​
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Participants confirmed that entrepreneurial mindset and business skills complements the skills they have acquired as a researcher and that they developed confidence in applying this mindset, skills and tools across a range of professional scenarios - whether that is in academia or outside.​​​
Testimonials
My biggest takeaway from the event was the transferrable skills. As such I don't have an innovative idea for a start-up venture, the entrepreneurial mindset far exceeds that. I can definitely see myself applying these skills in my everyday research and beyond!
The fact that all the workshops were hands-on was a major highlight, focusing on crucial aspects of transforming research into market-ready solutions. From exploring whether users need our products to ensuring our innovations are sustainable. In addition, the “Pitch Like a Pro” session was another standout, providing amazing tips on how to present our research with confidence.
This experience was not only enriching, but also provided practical tools for me to use at my current and future jobs.
Collaborating with interdisciplinary groups and working on innovative projects is both challenging and rewarding. Working with researchers from the sciences and engineering has broadened my perspectives and helped to challenge my own thinking about project development and management.