INSIGHT

The Project

Across Europe, research careers remain fragmented and unevenly supported. Early-stage researchers often encounter unclear career pathways, limited cross-sector mobility, and insufficient opportunities to develop skills relevant to both academic and non-academic futures. At the same time, universities and research organisations are working to implement the European Charter for Researchers, but frequently lack the practical tools, training, and guidance needed to translate its principles into effective action.

INSIGHT (Institutional Networks for Strengthening Innovation and Growth of Early Research Careers), a Horizon Europe–funded project, addresses these challenges by fostering interconnected talent ecosystems that bring together academia, industry, and the public sector. The project aims to make research careers more attractive, inclusive, and sustainable by aligning researchers’ skills with evolving labour market demands and supporting the balanced circulation of talent within the European Research Area.

Through a consortium of 11 European partners—including universities, research institutions, industry stakeholders, and public authorities—INSIGHT promotes organisational change and strengthens collaboration across sectors. It develops tailored training pathways, mentorship programmes, and career support services designed to enhance employability, mobility, and long-term career prospects. Particular attention is given to equipping researchers with competencies in key areas such as the Green Deal, digital transformation, and deep tech.

A central component of the project is the creation of a pilot talent ecosystem focused on human factors in technology acceptance within the automotive and manufacturing sectors. This pilot brings together researchers, companies, and public actors through workshops, virtual co-creation sessions, and targeted training activities. The insights generated will inform the development of practical tools and policy recommendations that can be applied across Europe.

By embedding social and human dimensions into innovation processes and strengthening links between stakeholders, INSIGHT contributes to more resilient research systems. It supports fair working conditions, promotes diversity and gender equality, and helps establish clear, future-oriented career pathways. Ultimately, the project aims to create a dynamic and interconnected European Research Area where early-stage researchers can access meaningful opportunities and thrive across sectors.

RE:LAB's role

RELAB plays a central role in the INSIGHT project by bringing its expertise in human factors, user experience, and human–computer interaction to ensure a strong human-centred approach throughout all activities. It leads key tasks focused on capacity building and organisational change, supporting HR managers and institutional leaders in implementing the principles of the Charter for Researchers and fostering more inclusive and sustainable research careers. RELAB is also responsible for translating strategic action plans into concrete measures, such as mentorship programmes, career development pathways, and support for cross-sector mobility.

In the pilot phase, RELAB supervises the integration of human factors in technology acceptance within the automotive and manufacturing sectors, ensuring that solutions are user-centred and aligned with real-world needs. It also contributes to the evaluation of pilot results and the development of guidelines to scale talent ecosystems across Europe.