The WISE project aims to enhance research excellence, institutional capacity, and the career paths of researchers, using urban sustainability as a common working area. The consortium, coordinated by the University of Primorska, comprises 16 partners from 12 European countries, including universities and entities from Slovenia, Portugal, Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Ukraine, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and Belgium.
The UA contributes its consolidated experience in research assessment and management, serving as an institutional benchmark in implementing the principles of CoARA (Coalition for the Advancement of Research Assessment) and in professionalizing research management and administration services. According to the UA's principal investigator for the project, María José Nueda, Deputy Vice-Rector for Research Promotion and Organization, the university will support the reform processes of project universities with less research tradition.
Furthermore, the Alicante institution will launch three training modules focused on artificial intelligence applied to research, impact assessment, and research entrepreneurship. The UA also participates in the Steering Committee, reinforcing its role as a reference institution in modernizing research within the European Research Area. The project's launch meeting took place on September 14th in Izola (Slovenia), and the initiative will run until August 2030.
WISE's objectives include three research projects focused on urban sustainability, ranging from innovative construction materials to sustainable city monitoring and policy transfer methodologies. It also aims to enhance the global competitiveness and visibility of higher education institutions (HEIs) by creating a strong portfolio of proposals for the European Union, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, public authorities, and civil society, and strengthening ties between HEIs and local, regional, and international ecosystems. Additionally, the project seeks to improve researchers' professional development through institutional reforms in research assessment and management, aligned with CoARA and RMA principles.
