Main description:

This book provides researchers with a straightforward and accessible guide for carrying out research that will help them to combine good science with real-world impact. The format of this book is simple: concise chapters on key topics, examples and case studies, written in plain language that will guide researchers through the process of research-driven innovation. The book draws on the editors' experience in leading the Age-Well Network of Excellence. The aim of Age-Well is to drive innovation in the area of technology and aging. Researchers often lack the knowledge and abilities to commercialize or mobilize the outcomes of their research. Moreover, there is a lack of training and education resources suitable for the wide range of disciplines and experience that are becoming more typical. The book emphasizes the practicalities of "how to" undertake the kinds of activities that researchers should be engaging in if they are serious about achieving impact. Overall, this book will guide researchers through the process of research-driven innovation.

Contents:

Challenges and solutions.- Global challenges in the 21st century.- What does innovation look like in research?.- Understanding impact.- Envisioning impact at multiple levels.- Combining good science and real-world impact.- Achieving impact.- How can researchers achieve impact?.- Turning ideas into products and services: the innovation pipeline.- Working towards impact.- Team work and building meaningful partnerships (transdisciplinarity).- Project management and administration.- Commercialization: defining, understanding, and creating your market.- Managing intellectual property.- Co-production and stakeholder involvement.- Reaching the hard-to-reach: a community approach.- Knowledge mobilization.- Education and training.- Regulatory and legal issues.- Local connections: ecosystems of research and innovation.- Evaluating and demonstrating impact.- Concluding remarks.