Periodic Reporting for period 1 - WELCOME2 (Welcoming ERA Chair to Centre of excellence in nutrigenomics for optimising health and well-being in the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences)
Reporting period: 2020-10-01 to 2022-03-31
Prof. Carlberg has taken steps to prepare a new interdisciplinary strategy that will consolidate ongoing research at IAR&FR and incorporate new practices towards a better use of existing EU co-funded research facilities. Supported by the newly recruited English-speaking Grant Specialist, Prof. Carlberg has also selected competitive research funding opportunities and started the work on preparing grant applications to be submitted to national and international project calls. Efforts have also been taken to further develop IAR&FR’s collaborative networks with EU’s leading organisations in the field of omics-based research. Recently, IAR&FR has become a member of a prestigious European Nutrigenomics Network NuGO.
Measures were taken to upgrade the assistance of IAR&FR’s staff offered to researchers in developing grant applications. For this purpose, English-speaking Grant Specialist was employed to support IAR&FR’s scientific staff with regards to identifying relevant open calls; preparing grant applications and providing feedback on draft proposals; and implementing strategies that would improve the competitiveness of grant applications. Research Management Guidance (RMG) - an integrated researcher-centric and project-based online tool was created under the direction of the Grant Specialist, which brings in one place all the key information needed to apply for and maintain grants, navigate complex policies, and conduct safe research in compliance with the regulations.
With WELCOME2 we have recruited a full-time experienced English-speaking HR Business Partner. He cooperates with IAR&FR’s commissions for ethical issues and workplace harassment, and disciplinary spokesman. During the reporting period HR BP was designated to perform two important positions: Man of Trust for Mobbing and Equal Treatment Proxy. As Equal Treatment Proxy, HR BP introduced “Gender Equality Plan” (GEP) announced by the Director’s Ordinance. To provide support to foreign employees and their accompanying persons in solving daily life issues, the HR Manual for Employment of Foreign Researchers at IAR&FR was developed and introduced.
The process of improving the science management system at IAFR&FR and fostering good scientific practices in research and scholarship was initiated with the recruitment of an Internal Auditor who is spearheading the construction of Research Data Management policy at IAR&FR. The Open Access and Data Management regulations have already been developed and introduced as Director’s Ordinances following a series of meetings with group leaders, IT specialist and scientific directors, as well as surveys performed among principal investigators and main data producers.
WELCOME2’s communication and dissemination strategy was developed to maximize the expected impacts of the project and increase the visibility of IAR&FR. Brand identity of WELCOME2 was developed together with communication tools such as the project's website, document and presentation templates and event stand. The objectives and expected outcomes of WELCOME2 were disseminated to various stakeholders, incl. scientific community, business representatives and general public, through press conferences, kick-off meeting, press releases in regional and national media (incl. social media).
1. Increased attractiveness of the institution, region and country for internationally excellent and mobile researchers;
2. Increased research excellence of IAR&FR in nutrigenomics for optimizing health and well-being;
3. Improved capability to compete successfully for internationally competitive research funding;
4. Institutional changes within IAR&FR to implement the European Research Area priorities;
5. Wider socioeconomic and social benefits.