KT News

Do you have something you want to share with ASTP knowledge sharing community? It could be a specific area of knowledge, a burning issue, or a brilliant insight.

Joining a Special Interest Group (SIG) is the perfect opportunity for you to share your knowledge and experience. 

What is a SIG?

SIGs are clusters of ASTP members with similar interests in a specific area or topic surrounding knowledge transfer who a work together to expand, create and share their findings. SIGs foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking among ASTP members.

What are the benefits of joining a SIG:

• Collaborate: Work with colleagues who share your interests.
• Network: Build connections with professionals in your field.
• Learn: Gain insights and knowledge from others’ experiences.
• Share: Discuss challenges and develop solutions collectively.
• Visibility: Enhance your professional profile within the ASTP community.

How do SIGs operate?

SIGs are self-organised and supported by ASTP HQ team. They typically meet online with each SIG determining its own meeting frequency. 

Activities include:

• Webinars: Often featuring guest speakers on topics chosen by SIG members.
• Workshops and Meetings: In-person meeting often organised during the ASTP Annual Conference or as stand-alone events.
• Resources: Sharing useful materials such as guidelines, templates, or references that may be insightful for SIG members and the wider ASTP membership.
• Direct chat: Each SIG has its own channel on Microsoft Team channel to allow for the free flow of discussion and document sharing.

Coordinated by dedicated volunteers, SIGs are a dynamic platform for professional growth and community engagement.

What are the SIGs up to right now?

• Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA) SIG

The SSHA SIG has refreshed the leadership during the 2024 ASTP Annual Conference. They host a topic-relevant webinar on first Wednesday of the month which is open to all members of ASTP to attend.

• Legal SIG

Thanks to two ASTP members working at ETH Zurich, the Legal SIG was revived in 2024, and focuses on sharing best practices and experiences in contracts and legal questions. Join their bi-monthly meetings on Thursday afternoons.

• BioMedical SIG

Launched in March 2024 at an online meeting of over 50 participants, the BioMedical SIG focused on turning research into healthcare solutions. From September to April 2025 they intend to host a series of seven monthly webinars covering a variety of relevant topics and themes.

• Digital Innovations (DI) SIG

As one of ASTP's longest standing SIG communities, the DI SIG works throughout the year interrogating and exploring the latest in digital innovations and how they impact of the working lives of KT professionals. workshop in Seville had a high attendance rate. During ASTP Annual conference 2024, the exceptionally well attended DI SIG meeting discussed: Open Source, Data Management, Artificial Intelligence, Clinical Software, Digital Start-ups, and Intellectual Property. Join their bi-monthly World Lunch webinars on the third Wednesday of each month.

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) SIG

ASTP members can improve knowledge transfer practices by learning about and using EDI. This will help them see things from an EDI perspective. Open to everyone, the SIG is currently developing an EDI toolkit for KT/TT offices.

• New Professionals SIG

This group helps new professionals in the knowledge transfer field find opportunities and resources to support their professional growth.

• Agrifood SIG

The group focuses on solving problems in bringing research-based innovations to the global food supply chain. They work together with industry to find opportunities for collaboration.

• Are you interested in helping to coordinate a SIG? 
• Would you like to contribute to SIGs activities? 
• Would you like to brainstorm setting up a new SIG?