Developing a knowledge ecosystem for large-scale research infrastructure

Large-scale research infrastructures (RIs), such as MAX IV and European Spallation Source in Lund, Sweden, are considered critical for advancing science and addressing social challenges. These research facilities are central to research, innovation, and education; in playing a key role in developing and disseminating knowledge and technology. In this study, we develop a conceptual framework of a knowledge ecosystem for large-scale RIs. The study is explorative, with primary data from 13 interviews with key informants from different stakeholders in academia, industry, and policy. Secondary data were obtained from reports from national agencies that develop and operate research facilities and from industrial and regional governmental reports, internal reports, newsletters, and information from the facilities’ websites. We find that academia, industry, and policy, together with four themes, have an effect on the value proposition of these facilities, on geographical distances (nodes), catalysts, platforms, and hubs. Therefore, they will affect the structure and design of a knowledge ecosystem. Our framework explains knowledge ecosystem structure and design.