For many researchers, making the transition from academia to industry is more than just a career change, it’s a challenging shift in the skill set required for success. In academia, the focus is often on becoming an expert in a narrow field, but nowadays the demands of industry are much broader. Companies are looking for professionals who can manage projects, lead interdisciplinary teams, and effectively communicate complex ideas to a wide range of audiences. These essential transversal skills, which are often underdeveloped in academic training are crucial not only for those moving into industry, but also for researchers who want to drive innovation and make a lasting impact in their academic careers. Without these transversal skills, the shift from academia to industry can feel overwhelming, featuring the need for a more holistic approach to researcher development.
But what are the transversal skills?
Transversal skills are more than just soft skills, they are essential competencies that cut across various roles and industries. The ResearchComp framework, a key tool developed by the European Commission to align with the European Research Area’s (ERA) priorities and objectives, and make it more resilient and competitive, identifies 38 crucial competencies for researchers. These include the main areas as: cognitive abilities, self-management, teamwork, research execution, research management, and the ability to create societal impact. These transversal skills are crucial in both academic and industrial settings.
The importance of these skills is not just theoretical. A study conducted by EY Advisory, as part of one of the Acceleration Services of CATALISI project’s, highlighted significant gaps in the skill sets of early-career researchers (R1 and R2), particularly when compared to what employers in the industrial sector expect. While these researchers are often strong in technical expertise, they tend to lack competencies in areas like interdisciplinary collaboration, project management, and the integration of open science principles. These skills are crucial for ensuring that research is not only technically good but also relevant and impactful in the real world.
Figure 1. Doing research competence
Figure 2. Managing research competence
Transversal skills aren’t just important for the researchers looking to move into industry, they are equally crucial within the academic sphere. European practices and initiatives such as the Open Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and the New European Bauhaus are redefining the role of researchers, emphasizing the need for a broad range of skills that go beyond traditional academic expertise.
Open Science is about making research more accessible, transparent, and collaborative. It encourages the sharing of data and findings with a broader audience, including policymakers, industry leaders, and the public. To succeed in this environment, researchers need to be proficient in digital tools, adept at communicating complex ideas clearly, and sensitive to ethical considerations. These are not just technical skills but transversal ones that require a holistic approach to research.
Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) highlights the integration of societal needs and ethical considerations into the research process. RRI requires researchers to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including the public, to ensure that their work aligns with societal values and contributes to sustainable development. This approach demands strong competencies in public engagement, ethical decision-making, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These transversal skills are central to the success of any research career.
The New European Bauhaus initiative, which ties the European Green Deal to our living environments, calls for innovative solutions that are sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful. This initiative requires researchers to work across disciplines, blending science, art, and social inclusion. It challenges them to think creatively, collaborate with professionals from different fields, and communicate their ideas in ways that are accessible and impactful.
Beyond these frameworks, the European Skills Agenda and the Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp) further emphasize the importance of transversal skills. The European Skills Agenda promotes lifelong learning and the development of skills that are crucial for employability and innovation. DigComp, meanwhile, focuses on the digital skills needed to work in the today’s technology-driven world, which are increasingly important for researchers as digital tools become central to research and communication.
Incorporating transversal skills into the training of young researchers is no longer optional, it’s essential. These skills form the foundation of innovation, collaboration, and societal impact, whether in academia or industry. As Europe continues to lead in research and innovation, the future will belong to those who can combine technical expertise with these crucial transversal skills.
As the demands on researchers continue to grow, mastering these competencies will be key to their success, ensuring they can contribute to solving the world’s most pressing challenges, both within and beyond the academic sphere. This is the future of the European research, where knowledge meets action, and where the ability to connect, innovate, and inspire is just as important as the research itself.
