The ENGAGE.EU Collaboration Circle is a virtual activity composed of three workshops, each lasting 90 minutes. Its purpose is to formulate relevant research questions that address current societal challenges. By bringing together Bachelor’s and Master’s students, PhD candidates, researchers, and external partners, the activity integrates diverse perspectives into the problem definition. This collaborative approach enables a deep investigation of the challenge and lays solid foundations for future research projects that are aligned with real needs. The methodology is rooted in dialogic practice, systemic inquiry, value surfacing, and collective sensemaking, ensuring that outcomes are both rigorous and impactful.

Among the benefits resulting from the activity:

• Students will benefit by building new skills and strengthening complementary ones, while beginning to establish their network of peers across Europe. Through participation, they will also gain valuable insights into academic work methodologies, enriching their learning experience, and preparing them for future professional and academic endeavors.
• PhD candidates and researchers will be able to identify research gaps and transform them into relevant research questions, testing their ideas in practice. The Collaboration Circle also offers opportunities to join existing research networks, thereby generating impact and contributing to third mission strategies that connect academia with society.
• External partners will gain access to the networks of students and researchers, diversifying their recruitment strategies, and strengthening their ties with academia. They will also benefit from engagement with translational innovation labs and the chance to promote lifelong learning among employees. Their participation contributes to the co-creation of an evidence-based research agenda, allowing them to experiment with new solutions and explore challenges from fresh angles.