“Last week, the READJUST project consortium met in Barcelona. We engaged in rich and dynamic discussions regarding quantitative and qualitative data on inequality within the Twin Transition. Soon, 4CF The Futures Literacy Company will initiate vibrant activities, culminating in the development of Twin Transition scenarios, ensuring the future-proofing of the project’s results. We’re incredibly excited and thank all the partners for the warm welcome in Barcelona, especially the organizers from EIT Urban Mobility.” – said Michał Nadziak. 

Anna Sacio-Szymańska shared more insight on the assignment and scientific collaboration in general: “A journey of 101 proposals, chance encounters, and the ‘magic’ of collaboration… Let’s dive in. I’m often asked for advice or tips regarding international research collaboration. Looking at 4CF The Futures Literacy Company project track record, I understand the interest. But what are the secrets? How do you come up with an idea that matters and gather enthusiasts around it? And how on earth do you secure funding? Well, there are no magic tricks, really (sorry to disappoint). It’s fundamentally about integrity – being true to your scientific passion, rigor and personal values. It’s about building genuine connections that foster an environment where you feel comfortable asking those “100 questions” to experts in other disciplines, allowing you to see collaboration opportunities rather than barriers. 

The newly launched READJUST HOP ON project is a perfect example of a success story built on the convergence of the above elements. In fact, its journey started 5 years ago, in 2019, during an evaluating mission of Horizon 2020 proposals. 101 submissions, a sea of 50-page documents of similar scientific quality, all competing for funding. It was a lesson in the struggle for fair evaluation (times without LLMs). But amidst that, I met Emad Yaghmaei, an RRI expert. A simple exchange on scientific interests prompted me to invite Emad to contribute a chapter “Responsible Innovation in Industry: The Role of Firm’s Multi-Stakeholder Network”, (definitely worth a read, to a book I co-edited #Bio#Futures. Fast forward to 2024, the WIDENING HOPON funding scheme helped facilitate yet another invitation and allowed us to start a “proper” research collaboration on Just Twin Transition.” 

The real story? Science thrives on those chance encounters, those moments of transdisciplinary curiosity. Success isn’t a solo act; it’s a symphony of diverse minds. It’s about seeing the potential in every connection, and knowing that the most innovative solutions emerge where disciplines intersect. That’s where the real magic happens. Thank you for this opportunity, YAGHMA and the READJUST Consortium.  Thank you Michał Nadziak for taking the lead on 4CF’s side. Can’t wait what’s next!”