Women, Disability, and Inclusion – Scientific Excellence in Bulgaria

Project Information

MILIEU

Grant agreement ID: 952369

DOI

10.3030/952369

Project closed

EC signature date 26 June 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 December 2023

Funded under

• Twinning of research institutions

Total cost

€ 895 625,00

EU contribution

€ 895 625,00

Coordinated by

INSTITUTE OF PHILOSOPHY AND SOCIOLOGY
Bulgaria

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MILIEU (Women, Disability, and Inclusion – Scientific Excellence in Bulgaria)

Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2023-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

MILIEU addresses a specific need of the coordinating institution - the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IPS) to obtain support in a networking collaboration with two highly renowned universities – the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (UCM) and the University of Genoa, Italy (UNIGE), that will increase the capacity of IPS and BAS for scientific excellence, visibility and research innovation with the final aim to enable high-quality research at the intersection of gender and women’s studies, feminist disability studies and disability and inclusion studies. In doing so MILIEU contributes to the opening of new avenues for research, driving excellence and introducing concrete actions to spread ERA priorities.
To fulfill its multifaceted goal, MILIEU has devised a set of interlinked specific objectives that together form the project implementation:
1. To enhance the scientific and technological capacity of the consortium and, in particular, of IPS and BAS.
2. To raise the research profile of IPS and BAS, and increase their international networking activities.
3. To train early-stage researchers (ESR) at IPS and BAS by involving them in research activities at the international level in the fields fostered by the project.
4. To attain high-level management and administration skills within IPS and BAS, especially as related to project design and management activities, thus increasing the likelihood of gaining funding for international research and innovation projects.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work and results achieved by MILIEU show a dedication to scientific excellence, international collaboration, and inclusivity.
MILIEU has built a strong academic and research network, especially with project partners UCM and UNIGE. Academic events, staff exchanges, and short visits facilitated by this collaboration have helped share ideas, methods, and best practices. The project organised and participated in 25 academic events, including panels at 4 prestigious international conferences and 3 international MILIEU conferences. These events raised awareness of women, disability, and inclusion and allowed ESRs to network and learn about cutting-edge research.
The project's focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and capacity building produced significant academic results. MILIEU members have given 53 presentations, with ESRs contributing significantly. This work has inspired new joint research lines, new project proposals and new curricula. Up to now 5 open-access academic papers have been published, ensuring that the project's insights reach a wide audience. More are being drafted.
MILIEU's training and skill development showed great results. The project organised two PhD summer schools in Madrid in 2022 and Sofia in 2023 and co-organized the Varna Doctoral Summer Schools in 2021, 2022, and 2023, which covered project management, academic writing, RRI, gender, and disability in research. MILIEU also organized lecture courses and seminars to improve their research and administrative skills. The impressive number of activities includes 3 long-term (9-10 lectures) and 5 intensive lecture courses, 13 seminars, and 10 training workshops. The MILIEU project's courses have been a huge success, attracting ESRs and experienced academics from IPS, BAS, and other academic institutions and improving their academic skills. The courses' extensive coverage of topics shows their effectiveness in addressing scientific research and social inclusion, contributing greatly to the academic community's growth. These educational initiatives increased IPS and BAS capacity and garnered academic attention, expanding the project's reach and impact. Participants received videos and presentations from the best training courses, which were uploaded to the project website.
MILIEU's networking and liaison activities have raised IPS and BAS's international research profile. MILIEU has built strong relationships with key stakeholders, decision-makers, and the academic community through 35 workshops with high management and key stakeholders, networking meetings, and liaison events. These efforts have set the stage for future collaborations and funding, ensuring the project's success. Eight joint proposals for new research projects were developed during the first reporting period to promote internalisation and project drafting skills.
This work has been supported by active dissemination and communication. Many EU and national events and activities presented MILIEU to around 5000 participants. In addition to over 280 activities and events, four informational seminars and a final dissemination event in Brussels were held to promote the project.
Since its founding, MILIEU has dedicated itself to advancing women's studies, disability, and inclusion research. The project's international collaboration, research outputs, and scholar and ESR capacity building are commendable. MILIEU continues to spread its findings and insights, making it a beacon of scientific excellence and inclusivity with a lasting impact beyond its academic community.
The project's continued success is due to MILIEU project partners' strong relationships and efficient collaboration in achieving many shared activities. This collaboration is expected to have a significant long-term impact on the continuation and use of project results, strategies, and activities for the project's long-term exploitation and sustainability.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Since its inception, the MILIEU project has advanced scientific research and integrated gender, disability, and inclusion into the scientific domain, particularly at IPS and BAS. At project's end, remarkable progress was made and new research standards were set.
MILIEU's extensive activities and initiatives have greatly improved IPS national and international reputation. IPS's visibility and appeal as a pioneering research centre have increased, solidifying its reputation for academic excellence. This elevation has increased IPS's networking reach, attracting a variety of academic collaborations and partnerships that will support and advance its research.
MILIEU has helped scholars and ESRs at IPS and BAS secure research funding by improving their skills. Project drafting and management training has fostered innovation and academic pursuit, enabling scholars to better navigate the competitive international research funding landscape.
MILIEU's focus on ESRs has improved their academic and research skills and broadened their networks and international associations. This strategic emphasis has prepared a new generation of scholars to advance feminist disability studies, disability studies, and gender and women's studies, as well as established IPS as a leading Bulgarian and international reference point.
The project also improved IPS research in its core thematic areas. By exploring unexplored topics in Bulgaria, MILIEU has had a lasting impact on social understanding and inclusion.
MILIEU has enabled all partner institutions to follow RRI principles of Open Science, Open Access, and Public Engagement. This comprehensive approach has benefited participants, the academic community, and society through open and inclusive project activities.
MILIEU's accomplishments and lasting impact demonstrate socio-economic and societal progress, creating an inclusive, informed, and innovative research landscape that will inspire and influence future generations.