From Normative Ethics to Human Intelligence: A Five-Phase Model for Transforming Research Career Systems in Europe
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Across the European Research Area (ERA), research careers are increasingly shaped by the convergence of ethics, governance, and human-centred institutional transformation.Building on findings from the Horizon Europe project SMART Researchers, this paper introduces a fivephase model for research career system development that operationalises excellence through sequential transformation layers: Normative, Structural, Human, Digital, and Societal.Normative -defining how excellence is governed through ethical and policy coherence; Structural -building where excellence happens through transparent and responsive HR systems; Human -empowering who delivers excellence by developing competencies, integrity, and leadership; Digital -enabling how excellence is evidenced, measured, and trusted via open and data-driven mechanisms; Societal -reaffirming why excellence matters through public engagement and shared value creation.Empirical insights are drawn from multi-country audits and surveys conducted under the SMART Researchers framework, integrating the European Charter for Researchers (2023), Council Recommendation on the European Framework for Research Careers (2023), and HRS4R principles.Preliminary analysis reveals significant disparities in ethical maturity and leadership capacity across institutions, but also a clear trajectory from compliance-based to reflexive, learning-driven excellence.By articulating the interdependence between normative alignment, human capability, and digital trust, the paper advances a new model of ethical intelligence in research leadership -positioning values not as static ideals, but as dynamic enablers of institutional and societal transformation.
Language: English
Subfield: Management of Technology and Innovation
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7171363650