December marked a highly productive and dynamic period for the teams working on Work Package 2 (WP2), as they successfully completed three deliverables on schedule. These documents provide valuable insights into various aspects of the Unite! alliance’s initiatives, with a strong emphasis on supporting Widening countries.
Launched at the start of last year, the first WP2 activities quickly gained momentum. Led by PoliTO, the team focused on developing new policy recommendations for Widening countries. Their dedication paid off, with the first deliverable finalized by the end of September. Afterward, representatives from all Unite! universities began analysing the research support services of all partners. The goal of the publication was to identify research management needs and gaps at Wrocław Tech and ULisboa, and based on that, plan future activities to strengthen the research management capacity in both Wrocław and Lisbon – and, as a result, across the entire Unite! alliance.
With these initial milestones achieved, the WP2 team is set to build on this momentum, ensuring continued progress in fostering excellence and collaboration across the alliance.
Report: “Research Management Needs in PL and PT – Identification of Gaps and Future Actions”
The report presents a detailed overview of the R&I services provided by the Unite! partner universities, while also identifying gaps and needs at Wrocław Tech and ULisboa. A separate chapter describes the Integrated Research and Innovation Services (IRIS) network, which plays a crucial role in supporting research and innovation collaboration within Unite!.
Handbook of HRS4R for Widening Countries
The first deliverable of task 2.2 was also delivered on time. The work on the Handbook of HRS4R (Human Resource Strategy for Researchers) for Widening countries was coordinated by ULisboa. A particularly valuable part of the publication was the overview of the experiences of each partner. Every university is at a different stage of developing its human resource strategy. That makes this publication highly valuable as it may serve as a guide not only for the Widening countries of Unite!, but also for external stakeholders.
White Paper UNITE: “A New University Open Science & Innovation Strategic Roadmap”
The topic of open science policy took center stage during the Unite! forums held in Wrocław and Lisbon in October. These discussions provided valuable insights and laid the groundwork for the development of the White Paper UNITE: “A New University Open Science & Innovation Strategic Roadmap.”
Spearheaded by a dedicated team from Aalto University, known for their extensive expertise in implementing open science strategies, the White Paper serves as a joint strategic roadmap aimed at transforming university research and innovation governance toward greater openness.
Targeting key stakeholders from Widening countries, the document primarily addresses university leaders while also engaging local and national policymakers. By fostering collaboration and transparency, the roadmap aspires to drive meaningful progress in the adoption of open science principles across the Unite! alliance and beyond.
Further Plans
Work in Work Package 2 doesn’t stop even for a moment. A comprehensive database of Research Infrastructure, enriched with TTO (Technology Transfer Organization) data, is being prepared. By June, a guide on the development of Gender, Inclusion, and Equity plans should be ready. A report on best practices for outreach and citizen involvement in R&I is in progress. All universities are awaiting the definition of strategic areas, which will determine the direction of future actions.
