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Researchers give Bioenergy NoE resounding approval
03/01/2007
Results from the annual NoE Researcher Satisfaction Survey reveal that NoE researchers are happier than ever with its progress and plans for the future.
But researchers called for more joint projects and co-operative activities like exchanges, workshops and training to ensure Bioenergy NoE meets its goal of deep and lasting integration of the partner institutes.
The survey was developed by the Spreading of Excellence Activities team and carried out anonymously at the Annual Researchers’ Meeting in Helsinki on 17-18 October 2006. A total of 33 respondents answered the survey.
Responses to the 2005 survey were very positive, and the 2006 survey results are equal in their approval of Bioenergy NoE. Responses to the 2006 survey show that researchers have a greater understanding of Bioenergy NoE’s objectives and ambitions, and are happier with the progress of the WP’s that they are involved with than in 2005.
Researchers gave the highest marks to the newsletter and the Researchers’ Meeting, with 97 per cent of respondents stating that both are informative and valuable.
Pirkko Vesterinen from VTT said she likes working in Bioenergy NoE because: “I’ve been involved in several EU projects and normally you meet one person per partner who is the contact person, but Bioenergy NoE gives me a chance to meet several different researchers from each organisation. Overall, it’s given me a much broader view of what is happening in each organisation and a much wider network of scientists and colleagues.”
Researchers noted the importance of joint projects. The majority feel that increasing joint projects is the best way to improve integration and enhance creativity.
Researcher Gerfried Jungmeier said: “Introducing joint project work in 2005 gave the network a new dynamic - we were able to get small groups together for a few days and do intensive work-enabling us to build stronger working relationships.”
Researchers strongly felt that joint projects should be a key element of the Bioenergy NoE’s new workplan, according to survey results.
Kai Sipilä, Bioenergy NoE coordinator, said: “The results from the 2006 survey are excellent. There is a clear indication that the Board’s decision to increase joint project work was the right one. We are seeking to give researchers even more opportunities for joint work in the final workplan and strategy for 2007-08.”
Researchers also rated face-to-face meetings as crucial for achieving Bioenergy NoE’s mission to build an integrated entity. They called for more researcher exchanges, small meetings and workshops as another way to improve.
Board members and WP leaders carefully reviewed the results and are feeding them into the final workplan for Bioenergy NoE.
