Periodic Reporting for period 2 - EDIRE (EQUALITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION FOR RESEARCH ENHANCEMENT IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-12-01 al 2025-10-31
EDIRE aimed to create a networking collaboration between the University Sarajevo School of Science and Technology (SSST) and four renowned research institutions in France, Italy, Ireland, and Spain, with the final aim of increasing SSST research profile, boosting its research capacity, especially in the field of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
The project relied, for the achievement of such objectives, on a diverse set of methods, such as:
- Interdisciplinarity and knowledge sharing
- Capacity building
- Participatory approach
- Inclusivity and sustainability
- Far-reaching methods for communication and engagement
The Twinning exercise built on an appropriate set of key actions, from joint training and research paths and bilateral meetings to short visits to dedicated conferences and summer schools, leading to new research opportunities and joint research projects in the field. The organization of networking and outreach activities, such as conferences, dissemination events, and liaison activities with similar projects, contributed to the visibility of SSST and of other EU partners in the field of EDI.
This approach resulted in the achievement of the following specific objectives (as outlined in section 1.1. of DoA):
- To enhance the scientific and technological capacity of SSST, contributing in raising its attractiveness, research profile and reputation,
- To enhance internationalisation and networking activities.
- To strengthen SSST research management capacities and administrative skills.
Overall project fulfillment and its longstanding impact are evident through new academic initiatives by SSST academics, as well as for other institutions in the Western Balkans that were reached through EDIRE dissemination activities. This progress is of exceptional importance for SSST as an institution, which has already positioned itself as a leading higher education institution in the Western Balkans that supports and assists other institutions in developing EDI policies. This has been enabled through the sharing of EDIRE results through events and networks.
The project relied, for the achievement of such objectives, on a diverse set of methods, such as:
- Interdisciplinarity and knowledge sharing
- Capacity building
- Participatory approach
- Inclusivity and sustainability
- Far-reaching methods for communication and engagement
The Twinning exercise built on an appropriate set of key actions, from joint training and research paths and bilateral meetings to short visits to dedicated conferences and summer schools, leading to new research opportunities and joint research projects in the field. The organization of networking and outreach activities, such as conferences, dissemination events, and liaison activities with similar projects, contributed to the visibility of SSST and of other EU partners in the field of EDI.
This approach resulted in the achievement of the following specific objectives (as outlined in section 1.1. of DoA):
- To enhance the scientific and technological capacity of SSST, contributing in raising its attractiveness, research profile and reputation,
- To enhance internationalisation and networking activities.
- To strengthen SSST research management capacities and administrative skills.
Overall project fulfillment and its longstanding impact are evident through new academic initiatives by SSST academics, as well as for other institutions in the Western Balkans that were reached through EDIRE dissemination activities. This progress is of exceptional importance for SSST as an institution, which has already positioned itself as a leading higher education institution in the Western Balkans that supports and assists other institutions in developing EDI policies. This has been enabled through the sharing of EDIRE results through events and networks.
WP1: Coordination, Management, Ethics, and Evaluation led by SSST University, oversaw project coordination, management, ethics, and evaluation. It ensured smooth operations, timely problem resolution, and effective communication among partners. The Advisory Board played a vital role, and the project established a strong identity through branding and social media presence.
TUD, as the leader of this WP, oversaw the WP2 tasks and coordinated efforts with EU partners. Substantive research activities within the project were conducted by SSST, empowering them to build research capacity in EDI. Deliverable D2.3 (Final Guidelines and Recommendations on EDI) synthesized insights from institutional data analysis, surveys, focus groups, national consultations, and qualitative interviews with academics and stakeholders. It is a public document that has been disseminated amongst WB higher education institutions.
WP 3 focused on strategic plans for enhancing research capacity at SSST. The goal was to advance scientific and technological capabilities and integrate project activities into the partners' Gender Equality Plans. WP3 was finished in M10, and it laid the foundation for scientific and technological advancement at SSST and within the consortium, aligning with European research policies and fostering excellence and innovation in EDI, GM, and GE.
WP4: "Boosting Scientific Excellence at SSST," focused on implementing twinning mechanisms to enhance expertise for SSST researchers and managers through exchanges, training, and accompanying activities. This WP started in M10, and all the achievements are summarized in D4.3 Final report and evaluation of the twinning mechanisms.
Work Package 5 (WP5) enhanced SSST's internationalization, management, and fundraising capabilities. Key objectives included establishing a Research Management Unit, organizing capacity-building activities, and providing high-level training for research management skills. Initiatives such as mentoring, reinforcement, and detailed training courses covering fundraising, project design, management, IPR, RRI principles, and EDI are implemented to elevate SSST's overall performance in research management and fundraising. The lessons learned in this process were summarized in the public deliverable D5.3 (Recommendation to improve research management and administration in WB) that has been disseminated amongst WB higher education institutions.
Work Package 6 (WP6), led by SSST University, focused on Outreach, Exploitation, and Sustainability. In Deliverable 6.1 an innovative model was disseminated to enhance SSST's research profile, particularly in EDI. All the planned targets within this WP were met, and the deliverable D6.4 (Exploitation and Sustainability Plan) describes how EDIRE results will be used and maintained beyond the end of the project
Within the Work-package 7 Deliverable OEI - Requirement No. 1 Prof. Dr. Jasmina Husanović (University of Tuzla) was appointed as the project's Ethics Advisor. All required reports were submitted on time.
TUD, as the leader of this WP, oversaw the WP2 tasks and coordinated efforts with EU partners. Substantive research activities within the project were conducted by SSST, empowering them to build research capacity in EDI. Deliverable D2.3 (Final Guidelines and Recommendations on EDI) synthesized insights from institutional data analysis, surveys, focus groups, national consultations, and qualitative interviews with academics and stakeholders. It is a public document that has been disseminated amongst WB higher education institutions.
WP 3 focused on strategic plans for enhancing research capacity at SSST. The goal was to advance scientific and technological capabilities and integrate project activities into the partners' Gender Equality Plans. WP3 was finished in M10, and it laid the foundation for scientific and technological advancement at SSST and within the consortium, aligning with European research policies and fostering excellence and innovation in EDI, GM, and GE.
WP4: "Boosting Scientific Excellence at SSST," focused on implementing twinning mechanisms to enhance expertise for SSST researchers and managers through exchanges, training, and accompanying activities. This WP started in M10, and all the achievements are summarized in D4.3 Final report and evaluation of the twinning mechanisms.
Work Package 5 (WP5) enhanced SSST's internationalization, management, and fundraising capabilities. Key objectives included establishing a Research Management Unit, organizing capacity-building activities, and providing high-level training for research management skills. Initiatives such as mentoring, reinforcement, and detailed training courses covering fundraising, project design, management, IPR, RRI principles, and EDI are implemented to elevate SSST's overall performance in research management and fundraising. The lessons learned in this process were summarized in the public deliverable D5.3 (Recommendation to improve research management and administration in WB) that has been disseminated amongst WB higher education institutions.
Work Package 6 (WP6), led by SSST University, focused on Outreach, Exploitation, and Sustainability. In Deliverable 6.1 an innovative model was disseminated to enhance SSST's research profile, particularly in EDI. All the planned targets within this WP were met, and the deliverable D6.4 (Exploitation and Sustainability Plan) describes how EDIRE results will be used and maintained beyond the end of the project
Within the Work-package 7 Deliverable OEI - Requirement No. 1 Prof. Dr. Jasmina Husanović (University of Tuzla) was appointed as the project's Ethics Advisor. All required reports were submitted on time.
EDIRE aimed to tackle the challenges by promoting excellence and bolstering the research capabilities and standing of SSST. This involved leveraging the outstanding expertise of the consortium's four EU partners. The strategies included: 1) establishing EDI strategies and policies as the norm for handling all academic practices; 2) advocating for Gender Mainstreaming (GM) and Gender Equality (GE) to infuse research processes and institutional bodies; 3) enhancing the internationalization and project management skills of SSST staff, both at the academic and managerial levels.
The creation of the "Office for Research and Project Activities" (ORPA) at SSST University stands out as a key outcome of the state-of-the-art initiatives. ORPA, a new research unit, underwent training and mentorship facilitated by EDIRE partners. The training sessions provided by EDIRE partners and experts significantly enhanced research skills not only within SSST but also on broader scales, impacting levels of education in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans.
In addition, public deliverables 2.3 (Final guidelines and recommendations on EDI) and 5.3 (Recommendations to improve management and administration in Western Balkans) contain the knowledge and experience that is passed on to the WB institutions beyond the duration of the project.
The creation of the "Office for Research and Project Activities" (ORPA) at SSST University stands out as a key outcome of the state-of-the-art initiatives. ORPA, a new research unit, underwent training and mentorship facilitated by EDIRE partners. The training sessions provided by EDIRE partners and experts significantly enhanced research skills not only within SSST but also on broader scales, impacting levels of education in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans.
In addition, public deliverables 2.3 (Final guidelines and recommendations on EDI) and 5.3 (Recommendations to improve management and administration in Western Balkans) contain the knowledge and experience that is passed on to the WB institutions beyond the duration of the project.