Using ontologies to map between research data and policymakers' presumptions. The experience of the KNOWMAK project

Understanding knowledge co‐creation in key emerging areas of European research is critical
for policy makers wishing to analyse impact and make strategic decisions. However, current
methods for characterising and visualising the field have limitations concerning the changing
nature of research, differences in language and topic structure between policies and scientific
topics, and coverage of a broad range of scientific and political issues that have different
characteristics.
In this paper, we discuss the novel use of ontologies and semantic technologies as a means to
bridge the linguistic and conceptual gap between policy questions and data sources. Our
experience suggests that a proper interlinking between intellectual tasks and the use of
advanced techniques for language processing is key for the success of this endeavour.