Evaluation of Strategic Research Programmes 2015-2021: Survey for Stakeholders 2022

The survey examined the achieved and expected societal impact of the research programmes funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC) in 2015-2021. The Strategic Research Council is an independent body established within the Research Council of Finland. The survey charted the societal interaction of the research programmes and the significance of the programmes' research and interaction for project partners and stakeholders. The funded strategic research programmes are a Climate-Neutral and Resource-Scarce Finland (PIHI), Equality in Society (EQUA), Disruptive Technologies and Changing Institutions (TECH) and Changing Society and Active Citizenship (CITIZEN, 2017-2021). In total, there were 20 research consortia, or clusters of projects, under the research programmes. The respondents were asked what their role was in the research programme or project, how often they were involved with the project and what they did in practice, for example participating in research, stakeholder events, expert consultations, training, policy influence or international cooperation. The respondents evaluated the usefulness of these activities in terms of social impact. In addition, the respondents assessed the interaction with the research programme, for example, the focus, amount, targeting and resources of the interaction. They were also asked about their aims for the interaction, such as network building and strengthening, visibility, new innovations or financial benefits. The respondents identified significant results or solutions from the research programme or project and their relevance to their organisation and society at large. Finally, some statements were made about strategic research, such as the topicality of its objectives, scientific high quality, international prestige, multidisciplinarity and the usefulness of the results. The respondents were also asked how the societal relevance and impact of strategic research programmes could be further strengthened. Background information includes the respondent's organisation, role in relation to the research programme, and previous relationship with researchers and research organisations in the research programme.