From May 14 to 16, 2025, more than 50 researchers gathered in Vienna to explore how open collaborations between academia and industry can foster innovation and societal impact.

Charlotte Musso represented our team — alongside Carolin Häussler and Maria P. Roche — and presented the paper "Scientists in Stokes' Quadrants: Unveiling Research Impact, Collaboration, and Competition." The findings presented stem from the ongoing DFG-funded research project "Multiple Competition in the Higher Education System" (FOR 5234/2, Project No. 447967785). Alexander Peter contributed insights from the BMBF project "KiWI – Cartography of Knowledge Pathways" (Funding Code 16WIT003), while Carolin Häussler discussed key questions surrounding transdisciplinary research in a highly topical session.

We are especially grateful for the valuable feedback received from Brian Uzzi, Lee Fleming, Henry Sauermann, and many other participants.

A particular highlight of the conference was the keynote by Scott Stern (MIT Sloan), who addressed the private and societal returns of innovation networks. In line with the conference theme "The Future of Academia–Industry Collaboration: Drivers, Opportunities, and Risks of Novel Forms of Engagement," he emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking for robust innovation ecosystems.

We sincerely thank the organizers — Marion Poetz, Henry Sauermann, Christoph Grimpe, and Susanne Beck — for their inspiring program, and all participants for the open and stimulating exchange.