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.
