TORCH WP1 and WP2 focused on Governance and Project Management. Key activities included: implementing the TORCH governance structure; coordinating work plans, WPs and research challenges development; handling reporting to REA, financial matters, and integration with CHARM educational projects. Internal engagement actions: organization of Kick-Off meeting and Internal Forums (1st: Mar-2022, online; 2nd: Mar-2023, Dublin; 3rd: Oct-2023, Budapest).
WP3 (Cross Cutting Principles) identified best practices and gaps in Interdisciplinarity/Transdisciplinarity, Research Ethics, and Gendered Innovation.
WP4 (Common Science Agenda) put forward some research challenges, considering the five institutions research interests, strengths and complementarities. Analyzed research trends, formulated SDG-driven challenges, and identified priority areas (SDG3, SDG10, and SDG13). Financing mechanisms and research infrastructures within the Alliance were explored.
WP5 (Strengthening Cooperation Between Universities and Enterprises) analyzed solutions for formalizing relationships with private partners, sharing strategies for collaboration, and exploring innovation detection, spin-off creation, and support for student entrepreneurship.
WP6 (Mainstreaming of Comprehensive Open Science practices) focused on Open Science practices, conducting a survey and designing the Alliance Open Science Dashboard.
WP7 (Public Engagement) analyzed modalities for co-creating challenge-driven research, addressing incentives and barriers at various levels, and providing recommendations for transdisciplinary research and innovation.
WP8 (Common Policies and Strategies) identified interconnected RRI points and drafted a common framework with 5 Strategic Priority Areas. Assessed the impact of connected RRI on research assessment.
WP9 (Action Plans and Pilots) designed 7 Pilots and 5 Action Plans, categorized them based on a cost-benefit analysis, and implemented Pilots with monitoring. Reports and recommendations were provided to WP8.
WP10 and WP11 (Communication and Dissemination) developed communication materials, dissemination strategy, and organized open annual forums: 1st) Mar-2022, Budapest; 180+ participants, 10+ Alliances represented; 2nd) Mar-2023, Dublin; 120+ participants, 15 Alliances represented; 3rd) Joint event with fellow Alliances, Nov-2023, Brussels; 250+ participants, 37 Alliances represented. Also drafted 2 Policy Briefs with recommendations to the EC for further policy development.