In November 2013, the European Commission conferred the 'HR Excellence in Research Award' to the Politecnico di Torino, emphasizing the extremely thorough and comprehensive work undertaken by the University and its strong commitment to investing in human resources for research through its participation in the European Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) initiative.
In December 2015, two years after obtaining the Award, the Politecnico di Torino submitted to the European Commission a self-assessment report on the progress made in implementing the principles of the Charter and Code and a new two-year Action Plan. The outcomes of the assessment carried out by the European Commission in January 2016 were again very positive and encouraging.
At the beginning of 2018, following the changes introduced by the HRS4R Strengthened process and in agreement with the European Commission, the Politecnico carried out the transition from the old to the new strengthened process, according to which the Action Plan was updated and extended until December 2018.
In coordination with the process of defining the POLITO4IMPACT Strategic Plan (2018-2024) and thanks to the input of different components of the academic community and administrative staff, in September 2018 the actions to carry out a new Gap Analysis and prepare the 2019-2021 Action Plan were initiated. In July 2019, the new strategy for implementing the principles of the European Charter for Researchers for 2019-2021 was approved.
On 14 April 2021, Politecnico di Torino underwent the site visit by three European Commission's experts for the re-confirmation of the HR Excellence in Research Award. During the visit, which took place remotely due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the experts online interviewed more than 60 members of the Politecnico community - including researchers, administrative staff and institutional representatives - and reviewed more than 70 actions carried out since 2013.
The experts confirmed the HR Excellence in Research Award, commending it with an extremely positive evaluation: “The whole approach of PoliTO towards HRS4R is admirable. Any issues which have been praised during this assessment are actually models of good practice”.
Encouraged by the evaluators' positive assessment and feedback, the Action Plan 2022-2024 was prepared. This document is part of the University's Strategic Plan, confirming as a priority the University's commitment to implementing the European Charter for Researchers.
In 2023, Politecnico di Torino celebrates the 10th anniversary of the 'HR Excellence in Research' award.
Organisational structure
A solid internal organizational structure has been established since the very beginning in order to ensure institutional support for the initiative, involvement of representatives of all stakeholders (researchers and administrative staff), and agile and efficient coordination of activities.
The Focus Group of Researchers was established in 2012 at the launch of the HRS4R process at the Politecnico and is periodically updated in order to ensure an equal representation of researchers categories, Departments and gender. Researchers can express their interest in joining the group by applying when a call is launched when members need to be added or replaced.
The current composition of the Focus Group (updated as of June 2023) is as follows:
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Claudia De Giorgi - Vice Rector for Equal opportunities, Inclusiveness and Life quality |
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Full professors |
Micaela Demichela, Monica Naretto, Milena Salvo |
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Associated professors |
Paolo Bardella, Michela Barosio, Stefania Bufalino, Nadia Caruso, Cristina Cuneo, Paolo Dabove, Matteo Fasano, Francesco Laviano, Marco Petrolo, Barbara Ruffino |
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Researchers |
Massimo Ruo Roch |
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Temporary Researchers type B -RTB |
Ombretta Caldarice, Doriana Dal Palù, Marco Domaneschi, Chiara Gastaldi, Francesco Novelli |
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Temporary Researchers type A - RTDA |
Magda Bolzoni, Maria Ferrara, Silvia Fraterrigo Garofalo, Tania Limongi, Federico Manuri, Filippo Gabriele Pratticò, Vincenzo Randazzo, Olimpia Tammaro, Jorge Tobon |
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Research Fellows |
Federico Dattila, Silvia Lanteri, Francesca Susa |
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Phd candidates |
Graziana Blandino, Federica Joe Gardella, Leonardo Giannantoni, Federico Ledda, Enrico Pupi, Alberto Rovera |
Methodology for Gap analysis and Action Plan
In preparing the Action Plans, the Politecnico used a methodology that allowed for a thorough review of the extent to which the 40 principles of the Charter and Code are being implemented in the University's policies and practices, with input from the entire university community.
The methodology used by the Politecnico di Torino to carry out the gap analysis and define the Action Plans has been as follows:
- consultation of all researchers through a request to fill out a survey (in 2013, 2018 and 2023);
- appointment of a Focus Group of Researchers, chaired by the Vice Rector for Quality, Welfare and Equal Opportunities, to analyze the results of the survey and provide suggestions for future actions;
- appointment of an Administrative Working Group to analyze current regulations, policies and practices;
- presentation of the results of the gap analysis and proposals for action to the HRS4R Steering Board and approval by the University's governing bodies.
The 2022-2024 Action Plan for the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers was approved by the Board of Governors on December 22, 2021, upon favorable opinion from the Academic Senate.