Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BETTER Life (Bringing Excellence to Transformative Socially Engaged Research in Life Sciences through Integrated Digital Centers)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2023-11-30
The project "Bringing Excellence to Transformative Engaged Research in Life Sciences through Integrated Digital Centres" (BETTER Life) emerges within the context of addressing critical challenges in life sciences research, particularly the lack of widespread socially engaged research (SER) and collaboration between academia and non-academic sectors. The overarching objective is to establish the EU BETTER Life Digital Centre of Excellence (DCoE), serving as a hub for fostering capacities among early career researchers (ECRs) in life sciences to conduct socially engaged research and contribute meaningfully to societal challenges.
The project builds on the findings of the MORE4 Study (Support data collection and analysis concerning mobility patterns and career paths of researchers), indicating a deficiency in collaboration among researchers and a lack of transferable skills training. This challenge extends to the consortium's universities, where there is a clear need to establish support structures for ECRs to enhance soft skills, develop tools, and connect with their surrounding ecosystems for socially engaged research.
The expected impact of the project is profound, targeting scientific, economic, and societal dimensions. Scientifically, the project aims to ensure that universities produce, support, and disseminate innovative scientific research in life sciences with an emphasis on societal challenges. This involves training a substantial number of early career researchers and making their work publicly available. Economically, the project seeks to make life sciences a field where socially engaged research enhances academic knowledge while providing practical, cost-efficient solutions for ecosystems. Societal impact is envisaged through community-oriented life sciences research that addresses local needs, fostering improved connections between academic and non-academic institutions.
The BETTER Life project recognises the importance of harmonising impact across diverse social ecosystems while acknowledging the unique needs of each. The consortium is committed to rigorous control over project activities to ensure universality in the skills, capacities, and commitment to socially engaged research.
In terms of the integration of social sciences and humanities, BETTER Life emphasises the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary nature of socially engaged research in life sciences. By bringing together different disciplines with social sciences and various stakeholders outside academia, the project acknowledges the need for a holistic approach to tackle societal challenges. The engagement of citizens, local communities, and civil society is highlighted as a key priority, aligning with the European Commission's emphasis on achieving greater societal impact and increased trust in science through such interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and co-creation.
The project builds on the findings of the MORE4 Study (Support data collection and analysis concerning mobility patterns and career paths of researchers), indicating a deficiency in collaboration among researchers and a lack of transferable skills training. This challenge extends to the consortium's universities, where there is a clear need to establish support structures for ECRs to enhance soft skills, develop tools, and connect with their surrounding ecosystems for socially engaged research.
The expected impact of the project is profound, targeting scientific, economic, and societal dimensions. Scientifically, the project aims to ensure that universities produce, support, and disseminate innovative scientific research in life sciences with an emphasis on societal challenges. This involves training a substantial number of early career researchers and making their work publicly available. Economically, the project seeks to make life sciences a field where socially engaged research enhances academic knowledge while providing practical, cost-efficient solutions for ecosystems. Societal impact is envisaged through community-oriented life sciences research that addresses local needs, fostering improved connections between academic and non-academic institutions.
The BETTER Life project recognises the importance of harmonising impact across diverse social ecosystems while acknowledging the unique needs of each. The consortium is committed to rigorous control over project activities to ensure universality in the skills, capacities, and commitment to socially engaged research.
In terms of the integration of social sciences and humanities, BETTER Life emphasises the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary nature of socially engaged research in life sciences. By bringing together different disciplines with social sciences and various stakeholders outside academia, the project acknowledges the need for a holistic approach to tackle societal challenges. The engagement of citizens, local communities, and civil society is highlighted as a key priority, aligning with the European Commission's emphasis on achieving greater societal impact and increased trust in science through such interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and co-creation.
At the beginning (WP2), the BETTER Life project concentrated on research and analysis to establish the framework for socially engaged research. The team conducted extensive research on good practices, compiling reports and academic papers that highlighted successful models. A pivotal outcome was the "Status Quo Report on Research and Policies," defining SER as a strategic approach with meaningful interaction among diverse societal stakeholders. Consultation events with quadruple helix actors (academia, industry, civil society, public administration) analysed strengths and weaknesses and provided valuable collaborative opportunities. Based on that, the BETTER Life Framework was developed, outlining building elements in four main dimensions related to strategy, existing capacities, conditions for objectives, and impact assessment. The Strategic and Governance Plan was formulated to guide the DCoE in socially engaged research in life sciences.
Continuing in WP3, the project shifted focus to designing and conceptualising tools and standards for BETTER Life. The team successfully designed BETTER Life Standards, setting benchmarks for socially engaged research in life sciences. Additionally, ten toolkits for enhancing SER were conceptualised, with ongoing monitoring to ensure alignment with project objectives. Technical possibilities and requirements for the DCoE were clarified, laying the underpinnings for their implementation. The successful creation and launch of the DCoE marked a significant milestone in realising the project's strategic vision for SER.
Moving to Work Package 4, the project concentrated on capacity building. The team developed the Capacity Building Plan, offering essential information, instructional background, and assessment guidelines for activities like think-tank sessions, boot camps, and virtual and summer schools. These capacity-building initiatives provide early career researchers with opportunities, such as mentorship programs and specialised training for engagement managers, enhancing their knowledge of new methods and information concerning SER.
Continuing in WP3, the project shifted focus to designing and conceptualising tools and standards for BETTER Life. The team successfully designed BETTER Life Standards, setting benchmarks for socially engaged research in life sciences. Additionally, ten toolkits for enhancing SER were conceptualised, with ongoing monitoring to ensure alignment with project objectives. Technical possibilities and requirements for the DCoE were clarified, laying the underpinnings for their implementation. The successful creation and launch of the DCoE marked a significant milestone in realising the project's strategic vision for SER.
Moving to Work Package 4, the project concentrated on capacity building. The team developed the Capacity Building Plan, offering essential information, instructional background, and assessment guidelines for activities like think-tank sessions, boot camps, and virtual and summer schools. These capacity-building initiatives provide early career researchers with opportunities, such as mentorship programs and specialised training for engagement managers, enhancing their knowledge of new methods and information concerning SER.
Looking from the point of view of science, the project has produced valuable outcomes such as the BETTER Life Framework, Standards for SER (which might be utilised by other projects to ensure their quality), and ten conceptualised and developed toolkits which are available for the researchers to be used in their research. These deliverables provide a robust background for innovative scientific research in life sciences, emphasising societal challenges and transdisciplinary approach. On a societal level, the BETTER Life project anticipates community-oriented life sciences research that addresses local social ecosystem needs, thereby improving links between academic institutions and their surrounding communities.
To ensure further uptake and success, it is crucial to promote the DCoE actively (e.g. through incorporating DCoE or its outcomes into other projects on national or European/global level). Creating awareness among the broader society about the existence and purpose of the DCoE is paramount. This involves strategic communication and outreach efforts to disseminate information about the DCoE's role in fostering socially engaged research in life sciences. Soliciting feedback from the community will be instrumental in keeping the DCoE relevant, usable, and pragmatic. While promotion and feedback mechanisms are primary, additional measures could include further research to adapt the DCoE model to different contexts and ecosystems.
To ensure further uptake and success, it is crucial to promote the DCoE actively (e.g. through incorporating DCoE or its outcomes into other projects on national or European/global level). Creating awareness among the broader society about the existence and purpose of the DCoE is paramount. This involves strategic communication and outreach efforts to disseminate information about the DCoE's role in fostering socially engaged research in life sciences. Soliciting feedback from the community will be instrumental in keeping the DCoE relevant, usable, and pragmatic. While promotion and feedback mechanisms are primary, additional measures could include further research to adapt the DCoE model to different contexts and ecosystems.