A new study published by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation provides a comprehensive framework to better understand and measure how research and innovation generate value for society and the economy.
The report, titled “Study on metrics and indicators for knowledge valorisation”, contributes to the European Research Area Policy Agenda 2025–2027 and addresses the growing need to systematically capture the impact of research beyond academia.
The study introduces an exploratory framework combining 16 indicators and 41 metrics, integrating both established methodologies and emerging data sources. These indicators cover a broad spectrum of knowledge valorisation pathways, including:
- knowledge transfer and academia–industry collaboration
- contributions to standardisation and policy-making
- citizen engagement and societal impact
Importantly, the report highlights persistent challenges, such as data gaps, inconsistent definitions, and differences in national practices, which currently limit comparability across countries.
To address these issues, the study puts forward recommendations for pilot testing, methodological refinement, and improved data alignment, paving the way for a more harmonised EU-wide approach to monitoring knowledge valorisation.
