Event Objectives
The open course “Unlocking AI in Research: Must-Know Tools to Supercharge Your Work” provided a practical learning setting for researchers and EU project professionals to explore how AI tools can support literature reviews, academic writing, data analysis, automation and research dissemination. Within this framework, European Academy delivered an introductory presentation on its role, services and current EU-funded project portfolio.
European Academy’s participation in relation to SPM² was focused on:
- Present SPM² as a project that integrates sustainability into PM²-based project management education and practice.
- Raise awareness of sustainable project management among participants involved in research, innovation, education and industry.
- Introduce the SPM² guide, digital resource hub, curriculum and micro-credential framework as practical tools for capacity building.
- Connect the course’s AI and research productivity focus with structured, sustainable and accountable project delivery.
Event Description
The presentation was delivered as part of the European Academy introduction session during the online open course “Unlocking AI in Research: Must-Know Tools to Supercharge Your Work”. The course gathered 8 participants from various organisations, including universities, industry/private-sector organisations and other professional or research-related entities. The session introduced European Academy as a capacity-building partner for EU-funded projects and then presented selected current projects as examples of applied innovation in sustainability, ESG, AI-enabled education and research careers.
During the project portfolio segment, SPM² was introduced as an initiative adapting the European Commission’s PM² methodology to integrate sustainable practices. The presentation highlighted the project’s development of a practical guide, digital resource hub, curriculum and micro-credential system for sustainable project management. The project was framed as complementary to European Academy’s training offer, particularly for participants interested in managing EU-funded projects, strengthening institutional capacity and applying structured methods to deliver impact.
Key themes covered in the project presentation included:
- Embedding sustainability into the logic, governance and delivery of project management.
- Using PM² as a structured foundation for transparent and accountable EU-funded project implementation.
- Developing curricula and learning resources that support sustainable project management education.
- Recognising sustainable project management skills through micro-credentials and practical learning pathways.
Participant Profile
The event involved 8 participants and represented a small but highly relevant group for dissemination purposes. The participant profile included:
- Researchers, academic staff and representatives of higher education institutions interested in applying AI tools in research and teaching.
- Professionals from industry/private-sector organisations exploring practical AI use cases, skills development and innovation support.
- EU project managers interested in capacity building, dissemination and project implementation.
- Participants with diverse levels of prior AI experience, creating a useful setting for accessible discussion and practical examples.
The mixed profile of the group enabled SPM² to be presented to participants who could relate the project to research practice, education, institutional capacity building and innovation-oriented work.
Feedback and Observations
The SPM² presentation was well aligned with the interests of participants who were exploring practical tools for research and project work. The connection between AI-supported productivity and structured project management was clear: participants could see how digital tools may support planning, documentation, monitoring and communication, while SPM² provides the governance and sustainability lens needed for responsible delivery. The project was considered relevant for universities, project teams and industry actors involved in EU-funded or innovation-oriented work.
The online format supported focused exchange and allowed the project to be presented clearly within the wider European Academy portfolio. No formal evaluation form was dedicated exclusively to this project presentation; observations are therefore based on participant engagement during the session.
Dissemination and Visibility
European Academy contributed actively to the visibility of SPM² by:
- Including SPM² in the European Academy introductory presentation as a current project on sustainable project management.
- Presenting the project verbally to 8 open course participants from universities, industry and other organisations.
- Highlighting the SPM² guide, digital resource hub, curriculum and micro-credential system as key project outputs.
- Linking sustainable project management to the course’s practical focus on AI tools, research efficiency and impact.
