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GS5113

Module Details

Title Short:

Innovation Impact Accelerator

Language of Instruction:

English

Module Code:

GS5113

ECTS Credits:

NFQ Level:

EQF Level:

EHEA Level:

Second Cycle

Valid From: 2024-25 (01-09-24 – 31-08-25)

Teaching Period: Semester 1

Module Owner: AARON GOLDEN

Module Discipline: Physics

Module Level: PASS/FAIL

Module Data: 1.7 - 2 LAB

Module Description: The Impact Accelerator is a unique, dynamic pre-accelerator style module, which will teach students the important practical hands-on skills behind innovative topics such as Research Impact, sources of funding, commercial development pathways, intellectual property, technical & business needs with the main outcome being a commercial toolkit with impact. The module is delivered over a 10 week period within the one semester, with a blend of group workshops, one- on-one mentoring and self-directed learning. This module is aimed at PhD students who have an innovative idea which is at least TRL 3. The module will be delivered, funded and supported by the Innovation Office.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:

LO1

Validate the need for their idea and discover end-users and customers.

LO2

Map the the idea's needs, utilising and completing a lean canvas model, using this methodology to conceptualise a viable project plan.

LO3

Be able to articulate the barriers, challenges to success, and evaluate the team & funding requirements with the help of topic specific subject matter experts, and so develop actionable strategies to overcome these.

LO4

Plan their project and learn how to drive it forward to reach commercialisation, and to successfully communicate it

LO5

Be able to outline and deploy project strategies that are underpinned by core principles in ethical entrepreneurship and EDI.

LO6

Complete and evaluate their Invention Disclosure Forms (IDFs) and other valuable impact outputs.

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Content:

This module uses the unique toolkit devised by the internal and external SMEs within the University's Innovation Office for participants to reach commercialisation based around an experimental proof of concept with innovative potential, involving the following components; The methodology behind TRL and the Innovation Office specific ‘Innovator Readiness Level’ and methodologies to increase levels throughout; Perfecting the professional skills in person through messaging and communication through presentations, videos and social media efforts; Conducting Market Research; Ethical Entrepreneurship; Presentation skills; Social Entrepreneurship; Completing the Lean Canvas Model; Grant writing and sources of Irish, EU and International Funding.; EDI in Innovation; Completion and evaluation of invention disclosure form (IDF), Patent applications, IP protection, grant applications and more as customised for the needs of each participant. This module directly addresses SDG 4: Quality Education by providing a robust foundational understanding of how innovation practices can be deployed and this dovetails with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, where the implementation of such practices will have significant and long lasting impact to society, and are in addition of relevance to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

No Written Assessment

Continuous Assessment

Assessment Type

Assessment Description

Outcome addressed

% of total

Marks Out of

Pass Marks

Sitting

Assessment Period

Assessment Date

Duration

Mandatory

Continuous Assessment 1

Completion of a lean canvas

1,2

100

First Sitting

Semester 1

n/a

True

Continuous Assessment 2

Completion of a market research report

1,2,3

100

First Sitting

Semester 1

n/a

True

Continuous Assessment 3

Completion of a reflective journal

1,2,3,4

100

First Sitting

Semester 1

n/a

True

Continuous Assessment 4

Completion of a video message

100

First Sitting

Semester 1

n/a

True

Case Report 1

Presentation of Final Business Proposition to an expert panel

1,2,3,4,5,6

100

First Sitting

Semester 1

n/a

True

No Oral, Audio Visual or Practical Assessment

No Department-based Assessment

No Research

No Study Abroad

No Computer-based Assessment

The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type	Workload Description		Learning Outcomes		Hours	Frequency	Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact)	Weekly in-person workshop lasting 4 hours held in Innovation Office Boardroom		1,2,3,4,5,6		40	Per Semester	3.33
Tutorial	One-on-one mentoring, mentoring sessions being either online or in person, depending on preference		1,2,3,4,5,6		30	Per Semester	2.50
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact)	Student independent learning		1,2,3,4,5,6		50	Per Semester	4.17
Total Hours							120.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload							10.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours							5.83
This module has no Part Time workload.
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
*Jacques Defourny, Marthe Nyssens 2021, Social Enterprise in Western Europe, Routledge [ISBN: 9780429055140]*
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
*Mary O’Shaughnessy and Lucas Olmedo 2023, Placing Irish Social Enterprise Ecosystem within the wider European Landscape, Irish Journal of Management, 42, 12* https://doi.org/10.2478/ijm-2023-0007 *David Poticha, Mark W. Duncan 2019, Intellectual property—The Foundation of Innovation: A scientist's guide to intellectual property, Journal of Mass Spectroscopy, 2019, 13* https://doi.org/10.1002/jms.4331 Innovation Office, University of Galway The Innovation Office’s ‘10 Steps to a Start Up’ guide
This module does not have any other resources
Module Full Time Equivalent
Discipline				%
Physics				100
Module Instructors
Staff Member		Staff Email
JACINTA THORNTON		jacinta.thornton@universityofgalway.ie
FIONA NEARY		fiona.neary@universityofgalway.ie