AquaTT is an SME specialising in scientific knowledge transfer and management activities. Founded in 1992 under the EU COMETT programme as a University Enterprise Training Partnership (UETP) to help bridge the gap between science and industry, AquaTT has now more than 21 years of experience in EC-financed projects. AquaTT works in scientific fields related to marine, food, energy, health and environment, which are key sectors for Europe’s sustainability. In 2010, AquaTT became the coordinator of MarineTT (Marine Knowledge Transfer Support Action), a flagship Seventh Framework (FP7) project. Additionally, AquaTT is a Work Package leader for 14 other FP7 projects. In parallel to its work supporting research, AquaTT has a long track record in the field of education and training, informing strategies, and creating networks to exchange best practice. AquaTT works alongside Europe’s top researchers to help tackle major societal challenges by ensuring that new knowledge generated from EU research is effectively transferred, resulting in uptake and measurable impact.
Contact person: Cliona NÍ Cheallacháin cliona@aquatt.ie
Website: www.aquatt.ie
Role of AquaTT in COLUMBUS:
AquaTT is the Strategic and Operational Leader (SOL) as well as the Project Manager of the COLUMBUS project. It is responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective undertaking of the COLUMBUS project including all technical and administrative tasks. The SOL will also provide the strategic outlook required for the COLUMBUS project to initiate change, innovate and respond to current and future knowledge needs in the marine and maritime sectors. In addition, AquaTT are Work Package Leader for Work Package 1 "Coordination and Project Management", Work Package 2 "Methodology" and Work Package 8 "COLUMBUS Legacy". AquaTT is also leading the Competence Node on Marine Biological Resources and providing support to the Competence Node for Aquaculture. It is participating across the rest of the project in Work Package 3 to 7.
Profile of staff engaged in the project:
David Murphy, Strategic and Operational Leader of COLUMBUS. As AQUATT Manager, David has over 13 years of EC project management experience in the areas of education, training and RTD, having coordinated more than eight projects and participated in over 40 initiatives. He coordinated the FP7 project MarineTT, coordinated Aquat-net for five years, and was instrumental in growing the network to a more significant body able to meet the challenges of the Bologna and Copenhagen Processes and Reforms. He is also facilitator of the Knowledge Management Thematic Area of the EATIP, the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform. He holds the distinguished role of Strategic and Operational Leader of COLUMBUS, responsible for steering the project and overseeing increased impact.
Cliona Ni Cheallacháin, Senior Project Manager. Cliona has been working with AquaTT since December 2011 mainly on knowledge management and transfer within several FP7 projects such as Aquainnova and MarineTT and project management and dissemination within others such as MG4U, Trafoon. She holds a degree in Science. Cliona is the project manager of COLUMBUS responsible for the day to day management of the partnership and achievement of objectives, goals and results.
Georgia Bayliss-Brown is Senior Knowledge Transfer Officer at AquaTT and is responsible for developing knowledge transfer expertise across the COLUMBUS network. She has 10 years’ experience in science communication and knowledge transfer, specialising in using multimedia techniques to support science-to-policy and stakeholder knowledge exchange. Her academic background is in marine climate change. She has also been involved in a number of knowledge exchange consortia and, before moving to Dublin, was a co-organiser of the Marine Knowledge Exchange Network which brings together industry, SME, policy and NGO stakeholders with world class marine scientists, with the common goal of building capacity in collaborative, stakeholder relevant marine science.
Keegan Porter is Knowledge Transfer and Impact Officer at AquaTT and acts as Fellow for the Marine Biological Resources Competence Node. Before retraining in environmental policy, Keegan worked as military communications officer and a logistics and technical specifications assessor, and is experienced in transferring technical knowledge to non-technical audiences.
