Strategic Strengthening and Promotion of Forest and Wood Research in Germany (Cross-Sectional Project)

Background and Objective

Cooperation and communication create synergies

So far, forest and wood research has been fragmented both organizationally and technically, with limited networking. Many research focuses are attributed to either forest research or wood research. Cross-sectoral and nationally-oriented research is more of an exception. The REGULUS funding guideline aims to reduce this fragmentation by supporting interdisciplinary innovation groups in forest and wood research and improving the networking and coordination of forest and wood research at the national level.

The main objectives of WaHo_boost are to promote collaboration between REGULUS innovation groups and to synthesize cross-cutting results and prepare them for stakeholders and the public. The guiding concept of WaHo_boost is the integration of forest and wood research (interdisciplinarity) and research in dialogue with practice (transdisciplinarity). To achieve these central goals, various measures are pursued in the areas of qualification, project internal and cross-project communication, public relations, and policy advice.

Through intensive exchange during status conferences and coordination meetings between the REGULUS innovation groups and the cross-cutting project, a common understanding of concerted forest and wood research in Germany is developed. Workshops addressing existing conflict areas and role perceptions overcome inhibiting competition, enhance cooperation capacity, and demonstrate possibilities for utilizing synergies. Further training and development programs specifically targeting early-career researchers involved in REGULUS enable them to expand their individual scientific skills beyond their technical qualifications and promote the concept of networking in early career stages.

WaHo_boost develops concepts to communicate cross-cutting and synthesized scientific content on forest management and wood-based value creation to various target groups through digital platforms, publications, and conferences. Central to this communication is the dialogue with stakeholders from the forest and wood sector, society, and policy-makers.

REGULUS is more than the sum of research results

Based on the understanding that the conditions for innovation emergence can be shaped, WaHo_boost provides methods and structures that reduce barriers between individual areas and strengthen collaborations. As a result, potentials and synergies within forest and wood research are tapped, generating added value beyond the results of individual REGULUS innovation groups.

Approach