Tranzo

Academic Centers

An academic center is a long-term collaborative venture with the aim of developing scientific knowledge and innovation in relation to the way in which care and welfare are provided. It is a formalized, long-term cooperation in which both the university and the care organizations invest. They work together on the basis of a long-term research programme jointly agreed by Tranzo and the organizations involved. Such a programme consists of innovation projects in which scientific ideas are developed, applied, and revised on the basis of evaluation. The research is both fundamental and applied.

Sharing knowledge, experience & initiatives
Alongside of the research programme, the participants work jointly on building a knowledge infrastructure in and for the organizations. This helps to improve the academic level of an organization. Staff members can improve their professional skills and there are more possibilities for evidence-based working. Knowledge, experience, and initiatives are exchanged. Examples of activities are research (sometimes for Ph.D. studies) by science practitioners, graduation theses of Tilburg University undergraduates, conferences and seminars, the exchange of speakers for guest lectures and papers, publishing reports and scientific articles, sharing databases and libraries, and joining forces for training and education.

Science practitioners
Science practitioners, coordinators, and professors by special appointment usually play a pivotal role in academic centers. Science practitioners are researchers who work in an organization other than the university while also working on Ph.D. or post-doctoral research at the university. Coordinators of academic centers and professors of special interest are responsible for project acquisition, coaching researchers, writing publications, and facilitating long-term cooperation between science and practice.