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Sustainable Innovation Technology Services (SITES) is pleased to welcome Sobhan Zallaghi, a Master’s student at the University of Bologna, to the SITES Future Talents Programme.

Starting his internship on 21 August 2026, Sobhan will join SITES until 28 September 2026, bringing an academic background in Resource Economics and Sustainable Development and a strong interest in research, sustainability and circular economy.

Currently studying at the University of Bologna, Sobhan’s academic pathway focuses on the economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. The programme combines environmental economics, quantitative approaches and the analysis of interactions between economic decisions, policies, natural resources and the environment.

Connecting academic knowledge with real-world innovation

Through the SITES Future Talents Programme, Sobhan will have the opportunity to move beyond the academic environment and gain practical exposure to the work of a European research and innovation consultancy.

His internship will focus particularly on research and analysis, with an emphasis on sustainability and circular economy. This provides an opportunity to explore how research-based knowledge can contribute to European innovation initiatives, sustainability strategies and projects addressing real-world environmental and economic challenges.

The University of Bologna’s Resource Economics and Sustainable Development programme specifically prepares students to analyse environmental and energy policies, natural-resource challenges, sustainability strategies and the economic dimensions of environmental decision-making.

At SITES, this academic foundation can be connected with practical experience in European research and innovation projects, sustainability, circular economy and knowledge-driven development.

From learning to contributing

The Future Talents Programme is designed to create a bridge between academic learning and professional contribution.

For SITES, welcoming emerging professionals is also an opportunity to bring new perspectives, analytical approaches and ideas into our work.

Sobhan’s motivation reflects this ambition:

“Bridging energy engineering and resource economics, I am driven to advance sustainable innovation and clean technologies. I look forward to contributing to impactful EU initiatives at SITES, transforming green strategies into measurable, real-world impact.”

Over the coming weeks, we look forward to supporting Sobhan in developing his professional experience while giving him the opportunity to contribute to SITES’ work across sustainability, circular economy, research and European innovation.

Welcome to SITES, Sobhan!

We look forward to seeing where this journey leads.

SITES is pleased to share a new open access publication, “The HE-RISE Model for Future-Ready Research Management in Higher Education: Application at Middle East Technical University (Türkiye) and a Research Intermediary (SITES)”, published in the Journal of Business and Management Sciences, Volume 14, Issue 3, 2026, pp. 67–85. The article was published on 1 September 2026.

The study introduces the HE-RISE Model — Higher Education, Research, Innovation, Society and Ecosystem — as a framework for supporting future-ready research management. It responds to the growing complexity of research management, where institutions increasingly need to address funding competition, interdisciplinary collaboration, regulatory requirements, societal impact and wider innovation ecosystems.

Rather than viewing research management primarily as an administrative function, the HE-RISE Model approaches it as an integrated institutional capability connecting research, innovation, society and ecosystem dimensions, with Digital Enablement acting as a cross-cutting capability.

A Multidimensional Research Management Framework

The model brings together six important bodies of research and practice:

• Helix models of innovation
• Modes of knowledge production
• Open innovation
• Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)
• Participatory approaches, including Living Labs and citizen science
• Mission-oriented innovation

These foundations are reorganised within four interdependent dimensions:

Research — strengthening research management and institutional research capability.

Innovation — connecting research management with innovation and open innovation approaches.

Society — strengthening societal engagement and responsible and participatory approaches.

Ecosystem — connecting higher education and research with wider innovation ecosystems.

Digital Enablement supports all four dimensions as a cross-cutting capability.

Expert Evaluation Through a Modified Delphi Study

The framework was examined through a two-round modified Delphi study involving 15 experts in the first round and 13 experts in the second.

All 29 indicators met the predefined relevance threshold in the first round. The study also assessed the indicators in terms of relevance, clarity and measurability, while 11 indicators were revised and reassessed following expert feedback.

The authors emphasise that the results represent an expert-evaluated and refined framework, while further research is required to test the model through broader institutional applications, independent samples and confirmatory measurement analysis.

Application at METU and SITES

The HE-RISE Model was applied illustratively in two contrasting food-technology settings: Middle East Technical University (METU), representing a research-intensive university, and Sustainable Innovation Technologies Ltd (SITES), representing a private research-and-innovation intermediary.

This application highlights the relevance of integrated research management thinking across different institutional contexts while recognising that the study does not constitute a comparative performance assessment or provide causal evidence of effectiveness.

An International Research Collaboration

The publication brings together researchers from SITES, Middle East Technical University, University of Chester, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology.

Authors:

Leonardo Piccinetti — Sustainable Innovation Technologies Ltd (SITES), United Kingdom
Mecit Halil Oztop — Middle East Technical University (METU), Türkiye
Jeny Edward — University of Chester, United Kingdom
Gustavo Perez — Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain
Trevor Uyi Omoruyi — University of Chester, United Kingdom
Mohamed Ramadan A. Rezk — Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Egypt

Publication Details

Journal: Journal of Business and Management Sciences
Year: 2026
Volume: 14
Issue: 3
Pages: 67–85
DOI: 10.12691/jbms-14-3-3
Access: Open Access

Read the full open access article:
Read the HE-RISE article

SITES Advances GREEN-MEM Through Secondment Activities at Selçuk University

Konya, Türkiye | July 2026

Sustainable Innovation Technology Services (SITES) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a secondment visit carried out by Leonardo Piccinetti, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), at Selçuk University, Türkiye, as part of the GREEN-MEM – Pioneering Membrane Solutions for a Sustainable Future project.

The secondment was conducted within Work Package 3 (WP3) and focused on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and stakeholder mapping, reinforcing SITES’ contribution to the project’s sustainability strategy and supporting the environmental assessment of next-generation membrane technologies.

During the visit, Leonardo Piccinetti worked closely with project researchers and consortium partners to exchange expertise on sustainability assessment methodologies, circular economy principles, stakeholder identification, and environmental performance evaluation. These collaborative activities contribute to establishing a robust framework for assessing the environmental impacts of innovative bio-based membrane technologies throughout their entire life cycle.

The secondment also provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen scientific cooperation between academic and industrial partners while supporting the knowledge-sharing objectives of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges programme. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the consortium continues to promote the exchange of expertise, innovative methodologies, and best practices that will contribute to the successful implementation of GREEN-MEM.

As an industrial beneficiary, SITES plays a key role in supporting the integration of sustainability assessment into the project by contributing expertise in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), circular economy, stakeholder engagement, communication, and dissemination. These activities ensure that environmental considerations and stakeholder perspectives remain central throughout the development of innovative membrane solutions.

Beyond the technical work, the secondment further strengthened collaboration among consortium members and reinforced the international partnerships that underpin GREEN-MEM’s ambition to deliver sustainable, bio-based membrane technologies capable of addressing future environmental and industrial challenges.

SITES is proud to contribute to this international research collaboration and looks forward to continuing its active involvement throughout the project, supporting scientific excellence, sustainability, and innovation across Europe.

SITES Celebrates the Launch of GREEN-MEM at the Horizon Europe MSCA Staff Exchanges Kick-off Meeting

21–22 July 2026 | Selçuk University, Konya, Türkiye

Sustainable Innovation Technology Services (SITES) is delighted to announce its participation in the official Kick-off Meeting of GREEN-MEM – Pioneering Membrane Solutions for a Sustainable Future, marking the launch of an exciting new Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges project.

Hosted by Selçuk University in Konya, Türkiye, the two-day meeting brought together leading universities, research organisations, and industry partners from across Europe and beyond to begin a four-year collaborative journey dedicated to developing the next generation of sustainable membrane technologies.

Representing SITES, Leonardo Piccinetti, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), actively participated in the consortium discussions, contributing to the project’s strategic planning, implementation roadmap, sustainability objectives, and long-term collaboration framework. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for partners to align their expertise, establish strong working relationships, and define the scientific and operational foundations that will guide GREEN-MEM throughout its lifetime.

GREEN-MEM aims to revolutionise membrane technology by developing fully bio-based, biodegradable, and recyclable membranes that replace conventional fossil-derived polymers and hazardous solvents with environmentally responsible alternatives. By combining green chemistry, green engineering, machine learning, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the project will deliver innovative solutions for water treatment, antimicrobial filtration, and advanced separation technologies while supporting Europe’s transition towards a circular and climate-neutral economy.

As an industrial beneficiary, SITES will play an important role by contributing its expertise in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), sustainability assessment, circular economy, communication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement. Through these activities, SITES will help ensure that environmental performance, circularity, and societal impact remain at the heart of GREEN-MEM’s research and innovation activities.

The Kick-off Meeting also fostered valuable exchanges between academic and industrial partners, strengthening the collaborative spirit that underpins the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. Beyond technical discussions, the event created opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and establishing the foundations for future staff exchanges that will drive innovation throughout the project.

SITES is proud to be part of this outstanding international consortium and looks forward to contributing to GREEN-MEM’s ambition of delivering sustainable membrane technologies that support cleaner water, greener manufacturing processes, and a more resource-efficient future.

We thank Selçuk University for its excellent organisation and warm hospitality and look forward to an exciting four years of collaboration, scientific excellence, and innovation.

Funding Statement

Funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges.

Acknowledgement

GREEN-MEM has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges, Grant Agreement No. 101299479.

SITES Celebrates the Launch of GREEN-MEM at the Horizon Europe MSCA Staff Exchanges Kick-off Meeting

21–22 July 2026 | Selçuk University, Konya, Türkiye

Sustainable Innovation Technology Services (SITES) is delighted to announce its participation in the official Kick-off Meeting of GREEN-MEM – Pioneering Membrane Solutions for a Sustainable Future, marking the launch of an exciting new Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges project.

Hosted by Selçuk University in Konya, Türkiye, the two-day meeting brought together leading universities, research organisations, and industry partners from across Europe and beyond to begin a four-year collaborative journey dedicated to developing the next generation of sustainable membrane technologies.

Representing SITES, Leonardo Piccinetti, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), actively participated in the consortium discussions, contributing to the project’s strategic planning, implementation roadmap, sustainability objectives, and long-term collaboration framework. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for partners to align their expertise, establish strong working relationships, and define the scientific and operational foundations that will guide GREEN-MEM throughout its lifetime.

GREEN-MEM aims to revolutionise membrane technology by developing fully bio-based, biodegradable, and recyclable membranes that replace conventional fossil-derived polymers and hazardous solvents with environmentally responsible alternatives. By combining green chemistry, green engineering, machine learning, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the project will deliver innovative solutions for water treatment, antimicrobial filtration, and advanced separation technologies while supporting Europe’s transition towards a circular and climate-neutral economy.

As an industrial beneficiary, SITES will play an important role by contributing its expertise in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), sustainability assessment, circular economy, communication, dissemination, and stakeholder engagement. Through these activities, SITES will help ensure that environmental performance, circularity, and societal impact remain at the heart of GREEN-MEM’s research and innovation activities.

The Kick-off Meeting also fostered valuable exchanges between academic and industrial partners, strengthening the collaborative spirit that underpins the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. Beyond technical discussions, the event created opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and establishing the foundations for future staff exchanges that will drive innovation throughout the project.

SITES is proud to be part of this outstanding international consortium and looks forward to contributing to GREEN-MEM’s ambition of delivering sustainable membrane technologies that support cleaner water, greener manufacturing processes, and a more resource-efficient future.

We thank Selçuk University for its excellent organisation and warm hospitality and look forward to an exciting four years of collaboration, scientific excellence, and innovation.

Funding Statement

Funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Framework Programme through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges.

Acknowledgement

GREEN-MEM has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Staff Exchanges, Grant Agreement No. 101299479.

Jenny Edward’s Contribution through the SITES Future Talents Programme

At Sustainable Innovation Technology Services (SITES), developing future research and innovation professionals is a core part of our mission. Through the SITES Future Talents Programme, students and early-career professionals gain practical experience while contributing to activities that support European research, innovation, and sustainability.

As part of the programme, Jenny Edward successfully developed and delivered a professional masterclass entitled “Social Network Analysis for Horizon Europe Proposal Writing.” The training introduced participants to the principles of Social Network Analysis (SNA) and demonstrated how network-based approaches can strengthen Horizon Europe proposals through evidence-based collaboration strategies and impact planning.

Building Practical Expertise

During her internship, Jenny expanded her knowledge across several areas of European research and innovation, including:

• Horizon Europe proposal development
• Social Network Analysis methodologies
• Research collaboration mapping
• Knowledge transfer and dissemination
• Innovation ecosystem analysis
• Scientific communication

The masterclass also explored the use of major European research data sources such as CORDIS, OpenAIRE, ORCID, Web of Science, and the Horizon Results Platform, illustrating how these resources can be combined to support proposal design and research collaboration.

From Theory to Practice

Rather than focusing solely on theoretical concepts, the presentation demonstrated how Social Network Analysis can be integrated into Horizon Europe proposals to:

• identify collaboration patterns;
• strengthen consortium design;
• support stakeholder engagement;
• improve impact planning; and
• provide measurable evidence for research and innovation activities.

This practical approach reflects the objectives of the SITES Future Talents Programme: equipping participants with skills that can be applied directly to European research and innovation projects.

Investing in Future Talent

The SITES Future Talents Programme offers participants the opportunity to work within an international research and innovation environment while gaining experience in proposal development, communication, sustainability, and European project management.

Jenny’s contribution demonstrates how structured mentoring, practical experience, and interdisciplinary collaboration can help transform learning into real impact.

At SITES, we remain committed to supporting the next generation of professionals who will contribute to shaping Europe’s research and innovation landscape.

Explore Jenny’s presentation and discover more about the SITES Future Talents Programme.

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