Information session on intellectual property in academic research

The Tech Transfer Office (TTO) and the Doctoral Schools are organizing an information session on 'Intellectual Property in Academic Research'. Intellectual Property (IP) refers to legally protected creations of the human intellect, such as inventions, scientific publications, software, datasets, artistic or literary works and more. At UHasselt, safeguarding and valorising research results is a strategic priority. When research leads to potentially valuable applications, the TTO provides legal and business support for their protection, transfer and/or valorisation.

Why should you attend?

Throughout your academic career, you will face various questions about the legal status and use of research results, such as:

• Who owns the IP rights to your research output — you, your supervisor, or the university?
• How and when can (or must) you protect the results of your research?
• Can publication interfere with IP protection — and how can you avoid unintended disclosure? 
• Are you allowed to use third-party IP (e.g. datasets, software, images) in your research — and under what conditions? 
• What are the legal implications of using or incorporating open source components in your work? 
• What if you want to share your results (f.e. under an open source license) or use results developed elsewhere?

These are not merely theoretical concerns — they affect your freedom to operate, your publication strategy and your potential impact as a researcher.

What to expect from the session?

This two-hour session offers a practical introduction to the fundamentals of IP in an academic research context. The session is delivered by Julie Grouwels, legal and business expert in IP at UHasselt’s Tech Transfer Office.

Topics include:

• The different types of IP relevant to academic research (e.g. copyright, patents, database rights, trade secrets);
• Legal and strategic considerations when using or contributing to open source in a research context 
• The UHasselt IP Policy and its implications for doctoral researchers;
• Strategic considerations regarding publication, collaboration, and IP protection;
• Valorisation opportunities and the TTO’s support services.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, you will:

• understand the main legal concepts related to IP in research, 
• be aware of the conditions under which IP can be protected and valorised,
• recognise the risks and opportunities associated with (early) publication,
• know whom to contact within UHasselt for support regarding IP and valorisation.

Competences

An important part of preparing for any further professional step is becoming (more) aware of the competences you have developed and/or want to develop. In the current workshop, the following competences from the UHasselt competency overview are actively dealt with:

• academic research competences:
  • valorisation
  • information management
  • publication skills

For whom?

• PhD students, postdocs and ZAP

When and where?

• November 27, 2025 - 14:00-16:00
• location: campus Diepenbeek, building D, room B4

Registration?

• Registration is closed since November 05, 2025.
• Please cancel your registration at least one week in advance in case you cannot make it (cf. cancellation & no-show policy).

Acknowledged as?

• DS HLS: category 'transferable skills' - a combination of different sessions (adding up to a half/full day) can be acknowledged together as (half) a transferable skills course.
• DS ST: category 'Research valorisation' - activity on valorisation of your research
• DS BSH: category 'IP, valorisation & science communication' - initiative related to IP and/or valorisation