Deliverable D10.3 – Guide on social sustainability

Summary of Deliverable D10.3 – Guide on social sustainability

The HI-EURECA-PRO Guide on Social Sustainability (Deliverable D10.3) offers practical guidance for advancing social sustainability in heritage research, with a strong emphasis on gender equality, inclusivity, and the empowerment of young researchers. Based on a literature analysis of 254 publications and survey responses from 46 researchers across the consortium, the Guide identifies key research areas in cultural, industrial, and mining heritage and highlights emerging “hot topics” relevant for doctoral and early-career research.

A central feature of the Guide is the introduction of a Gender Equity Ratio (GER), designed to make visible the role of female researchers in authorship and leadership positions. In parallel, the Guide fosters network building by compiling contact information of researchers who wish to engage with early-career scholars, thereby supporting collaboration, mentorship, and knowledge exchange across partner institutions.

Applications of the Guide include informing training sessions, promoting gender balance in research fields, and strengthening cross-border partnerships within and beyond the HI-EURECA-PRO alliance. Through these contributions, the Guide supports the project’s mission to unlock heritage-based innovation for sustainable development while reinforcing the social dimension of research excellence, particularly in widening countries.