The question of research valorisation in small and medium-sized universities[La question de la valorisation de la recherche dans les petites et moyennes universités]

This article presents the context and orientations of the special issue entitled "Research valorisation in small and medium-sized universities", published in the journal Technologie et Innovation. We first define this third mission of research valorisation, which is added to the traditional missions of teaching and research. Then, we present the main themes of the research carried out on this subject and introduce the case and specificities of small and medium-sized universities. Finally, we present the articles that make up this special issue. Using several case studies of small and medium-sized universities in France, but also in Portugal, the authors of this issue emphasize the role that research valorisation can play in anchoring these universities, often young, in their environment. They also focus on the need to network these universities, following the example of the "Lieu network", developed in Belgium and also presented in this issue.