Moonshot

Research

When do fields join forces?

program (8:40 - 12:00)

• At each table are invited speakers, professors/PIs, and two young researchers.
   
• You will work in groups. Make sure everybody has the chance to talk and to listen. Our young researchers will facilitate that.
   
• This is not a training session. We don't know the answers.
  We are genuinely interested in your input.
   
• You will not be quoted without asking you. Speak freely.

practical aspects

Everybody likes a good story.

We'd like you to tell us stories of successful research endeavors.

There are different kinds of stories...

MAN in a hole

Comfort zone - Not a bad place, but some potential is wasted.

Trigger - Something out of your control happens and knocks us out.

Crisis - You are in a hole. That's where you learn something valuable.

Recovery - Put what you have learned to good use and climb back.

Better place - Your effort pays off.

〞

Power system researchers developed new methods and solutions

The old power grid: stable and reliable

Wind and solar generation

Low-inertia grids are prone to instability and blackouts!

A new reliable and sustainable grid!

rags to riches

Hidden value - Some untapped potential that most people don't see.

Trigger and Struggle - The chance to shine!

Deserved recognition - The true value is finally revealed.

Hint: You could be the Fairy Godmother!

〞

Sean Meyn

www.incontrolpodcast.com

no easy way

Problem - Everybody agrees: it's a bad place.

Early success - Low-hanging fruit.

Setback / crisis - Early success does not take you far.

Recovery / Better place - Here comes the expert: only by doing the right thing we'll get the desired result.

〞

Anuradha Annaswamy

www.incontrolpodcast.com

vOYAGE AND RETURN

Home - Safe and dull. There is something lacking, not clear what.

Voyage - A deliberate (or not) journey is the chance to learn.

Return - Back to your island, but you are different (and better).

〞

Rodolphe Sepulchre

www.incontrolpodcast.com

• Look back at some research endeavors (big or small)
  by yourself, your team, or others in your field/community.
• In 15 minutes, write down one story each. Write clear and concise.
• Talk in your group to check that you are including all the info

Tell us your stories

your research story

• What's the story?
   
• Who was part of it?
  • industry, academia, or both?
  • which community/field?
  • how many people worked together?
• How did it start?
  • who started it?
  • who drove it forward?
  • who supported and funded it?
• What facilitated it?
  • any unconventional aspect of this endeavor?
  • was any special resource or opportunity available?
  • collaboration or competition?
• What came out of that?
  • scientific results
  • impact within and beyond the community
  • education
  • technology transfer

moonshot

• A well-defined, ambitious, formidable goal
   
• A bet on disruptive consequences
   
• Different fields join forces!
   
• Great open problems along the way
  (maybe even unpredicted ones)​
   
• The path to success was as valuable
  as the result, or even more
   
• One intense, consistent effort​
  that attracted resources and smart people

do you have a moonshot story?

• Big or small, no need to impress
   
• It can be the story of yourself,  your team, your project,
  or a story that you witnessed in your community
   
• It must have engaged multiple communities and fields.
   
• Work in groups, with one timekeeper
• 30 minutes
• Fill one sheet (one story) each
• Ask questions to each other and make sure to include the interesting details, share your story

your MOONSHOT story

• What was the moonshot idea?
   
• Who was part of it?
  • industry, academia, or both?
  • what fields/communities?
  • how many people worked together?
• How did it start?
  • who started it?
  • who drove it forward?
  • who supported and funded it?
• What facilitated it?
  • any unconventional aspect of this endeavor?
  • was any special resource or opportunity available?
  • collaboration or competition?
• What came out of that?
  • scientific results
  • impact within and beyond the community
  • education
  • technology transfer

Read other stories, ask the authors

When done, sit with other people

What makes a moonshot successful?

IDEA

Top down or bottom up

Brainstorming or guidance

Theory or applications

Technology driven?

People

Small team or big team​

Junior or senior people

Early career or tenured

Visits / exchange

Resources

Time: fast or slow

Dedicated hiring

Secondments and sabbaticals

Funding​ instruments

process

Special management

Unusual research guidance

Social or isolated

Competitive or collaborative

impact

New community?

Opening or closing a topic

Technology transfer

What survived?

• What makes a moonshot?

• When do fields join forces?

• Five groups, 15 minutes

• Each group will focus on one of the five aspects

• Look at all the stories

• Share your moonshot story

• Find common patterns

• Find differences

• Collect evidence

• Make your hypotheses

• Prepare a few questions on the collected stories to validate/disprove your theory

be a detective

consolidation

• Clean up your notes
• Each group reports on their findings
• 5 minutes per group

Thank you!