In the last years, the need to equip researchers with the skills needed for an interoperable career in academia and beyond has emerged as a central priority of the EU European Research Area (ERA) policy underlining the importance of developing and contributing to an open labour market for researchers where there are no barriers to their mobility and where they can enhance their training and career opportunities. In this context, training of European researchers plays a pivotal role to ensure the excellence of EU research and innovation. However, while research institutions and universities have always paid a lot of attention to training aimed at developing the technical and scientific competences of their researchers, it is only recently that they have better embraced their institutional responsibility in supporting the professional development of their researchers beyond academia, by acknowledging the relevance to train them on transversal and generic skills (transferable skills) that can help smoothen this transition.
Based on these needs, the PATTERN project focuses on training researchers at all stages of their career on those skills related to research ethics, public engagement and social responsibility that are easily transferable between work contexts, thus enabling intersectoral mobility and knowledge transfer. In particular, the project aims at promoting the practice of Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (Open RRI) by developing and piloting training activities for researchers with the ultimate goal of strengthening their transferable skills and empowering Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and research organisations to embrace a transformative process to improve the excellence of the science conducted, the capacity within the ERA to tackle societal challenges and the interaction between science and society.
To address the identified needs and by aligning with the challenge of deepening the ERA, PATTERN results will contribute to define the state of the art on Open RRI trainings for researchers and to develop and pilot new training modules and curricula creating new knowledge, fostering diffusion of knowledge and Open Science and strengthening human capital in R&I. At societal level, the project’s results will contribute to the empowerment of HEIs and research organisations to start a transformative process to strengthen the uptake of R&I in society. Furthermore, PATTERN will contribute with its innovative platform using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create personalised learning paths for researchers and increase digitalisation.
