Researchers

Katja-Maria Prexl

Katja-Maria Prexl
Post-doctoral Researcher
Katja-Maria Prexl
Nofima

Seconded from the Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (Nofima) to RMIT Europe

1 month, Autumn 2019
I am Katja-Maria Prexl, a postdoctoral researcher for the Bionær-funded FoodProFuture project within the Department of Innovation, Consumer and Sensory Sciences at the Norwegian Food Research Institute (NOFIMA). In this role, I research how to match increasing consumer and market needs for plant protein–based foods using foresight and design thinking methodologies. Additionally, I facilitate the implementation of human-centered innovation concepts for the creation of a sustainable food value chain by developing future scenarios, innovation opportunities, and innovation strategies.
 
With my participation in the OpenInnoTrain (OIT) project, I aimed to encourage open collaboration between industry and academia through, for example, the co-development of participatory and experimental approaches that involve multiple industry partners and academic disciplines, mainly in food tech.
My secondment with OIT was a valuable opportunity to connect with fellow researchers in this field. During the first month of the secondment, I had the freedom to do market research, exchange knowledge, and collaborate with colleagues at RMIT Europe in Barcelona on a variety of promising projects, with the opportunity to make future contributions through co-publication, citizen involvement in innovation, the creation of different learning platforms to spread various perspectives, and the submission of joint research proposals.
 
This was my first stay at RMIT Europe and will not be my last, as I have appreciated the opportunity to collaborate and extend my research network in an international environment. Such fruitful and vital exchanges allow researchers to step out of our daily routines. When start-ups and established companies support us in building new collaboration pathways, networks, and friendships, we can better bridge the gap between industry and academia.
My secondment fostered and enabled the sharing not only of knowledge and ideas but also of different perspectives. The more strands you can weave together as a researcher, the more possibilities you can create. We actively hope to translate and transfer knowledge between industries and disciplines, drawing inspiration and making connections to encourage the development of creative solutions. In the context of food, my secondment experience was a bit like umami, the fifth taste: indescribable but incredibly special.

Impact of OpenInnoTrain on my career and organisation

How has the secondment created new perspectives for applying your knowledge in practical situations?

“The more strands you can weave together as a researcher, the more possibilities you can create.” Presentation of own experiences, research projects and recent project in the food tech to exemplify and simplify the transition phase of such collaborative approaches in small, medium-sized and large research projects.

The exchange and continuously meet and wave connections within the RMIT in Barcelona and the direct and indirect environment. By presenting own work, projects and approaches and by discussing and interconnecting around these and coming-up with other or new possibilities to apply in other and new projects or proposals. Fruitful exchange and discussion and at the same time the freedom to read and explore e.g. co-creation, future thinking approaches, more insights on scenarios building for future of food.

How has the secondment created new career perspectives for you?

By just doing and starting the exchange. By being actively involved and having the possibility to do so. By being open and willing to work actively together with the network OIT offers and by building together on joint project, learning from each other, taking chances and curiosity to the next step.

The OIT project with the secondments, the joint activities, actions and tools is what makes this equipment possible. Being part of it, joining it actively and by further developing it as we also learn with each next stay and activity. By taking the opportunity and helping to solve jointly together challenges.

How has the secondment given you global mobility opportunities?

From the pure exchange with RMIT Europe in Barcelona. Starting the secondment also as a role model for others. Examples would be results of trend scouting in BCN it self. Building up of networks with e.g. huge research institutions like EURECAT, or high-impact promising new start-ups like offering the technology for the first 3-D printed plant-based steak, NovaMeat. Another example is the BCN Culinary Institute to bring in different perspectives and possibilities to work in the project and depending on the phase in the project.

By start to translate these experience to the OIT environment and in this case to RMIT Europe by in addition collaborating the food tech field in Barcelona and Spain. Starting white papers and planing co-creation publication with other parties at RMIT Europe. Inspire and transfer knowledge in the network and environment but also at NOFIMA and different industries and disciplines to engage other secondments and promote the possibilities by showing best practice.

How has the secondment given your organisation opportunities?

By fostering a fruitful and vital exchange. By transferring knowledge and insights of co-creation development of participatory and experimental approaches and related methods and tools to other partners and projects involving multi industry partners and academic disciplines.

By bringing in my own experience and knowledge in research and academia and of my recent focus at NOFIMA on matching consumer and market needs for increased plant protein-based food consumption by using foresight and design and future thinking based methodologies.

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