UNIC4ER is strategically structured into six distinct work packages (WP), each with specific goals and achievements. This approach instills a collaborative effort to enhance engaged research within the UNIC4ER framework.
WP1 is defined by its co-creation approach to improving communication and dissemination efforts. Ad hoc workshops were held to build team cohesion and reinforce the long-term vision of UNIC4ER, ensuring all partners feel included and part of the project's success. Tools and resources were distributed across all partners, with outreach efforts extending to external events. A framework for exploring future activities within the broader UNIC project was established, supporting continuous development. Joint alliance events were hosted, and collaborative efforts on deliverables were conducted together with all SWAF alliances. A total of 52 projects were disseminated through the UNIC website, generating over 20,000 views and inspiring further research. In addition, three European events were held to celebrate and promote the engaged research initiative.
WP2 was dedicated to establishing a Strategy Forum to map and integrate engaged research (ER) policies, practices, and infrastructures within UNIC. One of the key outcomes was the launch of the first European Declaration of Engaged Research, a significant milestone that has influenced the vision of ER across the alliance and the municipalities. This forum built a shared understanding of ER, connecting it to the UNIC CityLabs framework.
WP3 developed accessible tools and resources to support engaged research. An engaged research toolkit was created, enhancing the capacity of scholars and researchers within the alliance. An international workshop on engaged teaching and learning was hosted, fostering an exchange of best practices. Six working conferences were organized, building a community of excellence around ER, mainly focusing on the inclusion of "non-traditional scholars" Infrastructure and support schemes were designed to encourage cross-national research collaboration, resulting in 52 engaged research projects funded and supported through the UNIC Seed Fund Mechanism.
WP4 was dedicated to operationalizing the engaged research strategy by establishing the Center for City Futures. This center plays a crucial role as a European infrastructure, connecting UNIC universities, cities, and urban communities in post-industrial research initiatives. The "UNIC4ER Meet the City" framework was developed and implemented, supporting 52 co-creation initiatives, including networking events, book projects, summer schools, and externally funded proposals.
WP5 was characterized by its focus on promoting open science. Through events, workshops, and training sessions, awareness of open science was significantly raised, with over 250 registrations and 1,000 views on the open science page within two months. The UNIC Virtual Campus research pillar was launched, providing an IT portal for researchers to network and collaborate through keyword searches and cooperation modes. A self-learning course on science communication was developed as part of the broader effort to democratize research and promote engaged science practices.
WP6 focused on monitoring and evaluation, developing a robust framework for assessing UNIC4ER activities. Data was collected from over 200 quantitative and qualitative respondents, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of progress. Inspiring campaigns were launched to motivate researchers toward greater engagement. The public-facing Pulse Dashboard was created and is regularly updated, providing ongoing insights and transparency regarding the project's development and achievements.
WP7 ensured that high ethical and security standards were upheld throughout the project. Specific measures were put in place for data usage, collection, storage, protection, retention, and destruction.
