Emilia Olsson joins Deep Tech Day panel on translating research to impact

On January 28, ARCNL research group leader Emilia Olsson participated in the panel discussion on the role of deep tech in academia, as part of University of Amsterdam Faculty of Science’s Deep Tech Day.  

The panel discussed key challenges in translating fundamental science to industrially viable products and real societal impact, as well as the role of hubs such as the Amsterdam Science Park. Chaired by Renée van Amerongen (Professor at University of Amsterdam), the panel also consisted of Constantijn van Oranje (Special Envoy at TechLeap), Peter-Paul Verbeek (Rector Magnificus of University of Amsterdam) and Renée Frissen (Head of Operations at AI Plan). 

With Emilia on the panel, the group discussed ARCNL’s role as a place where Deep Tech research meets the commercial world of the semiconductor industry. The ARCNL public-private partnership model was highlighted as an important interface between the two worlds. Emilia: “Institutes such as ARCNL have a key role to play as bridges between academia and industry. Academic freedom gives depth, industrial constraints give direction.” 

Part of fulfilling such a role is educating the next generation of researchers to be able to navigate the ever-changing industrial landscape. “People are the real technology transfer,” says Emilia. “We train researchers to be fluent in both languages – academia and industry – so that they can understand the constraints and incentives of both sides.” 

For more about Deep Tech Day, visit the UvA website.