Societal demand for science, technology, and academic knowledge is growing rapidly, and next-generation researchers must understand the world and contribute to future society through their research. We believe that for these researchers to maintain long-term impact, they must develop what we call “Global Insight.“

“Global Insight” competencies consist of three research activity objectives—”Value Creation,” “Internal and External Coordination,” and “Social Innovation”— and three standpoints—”Self,” “Interpersonal,” and “Social System.” These intersect to create a framework of nine categories. Fellows use this framework to set long-term goals and as a foundation for self-reflection and improvement, identifying the initiatives and communities they need to engage with to develop necessary competencies.

As ECR career paths become increasingly diverse, many find themselves lacking role models and long-term vision. To create a program that maximizes initiative and unlocks ECRs’ full potential, we are testing and developing programs with ambitious Kyoto University ECRs selected as L-INSIGHT Fellows. Each Fellow sets long-term research goals, envisions the activities needed to reach those goals, and implements them as a series of projects. Starting in FY2024, forming a “core circle” of researchers has become central to Fellows’ activities, serving both as a path to achieving long-term goals and as a measure of progress.

Core Circle of Researchers

• In any academic field, there are groups of world-leading researchers who regularly share their latest findings and collaboratively organize international conferences and symposiums—we call these “core circles.”
• To establish oneself as a next-generation
  leading researcher with Global Insight,
  one must work to become part of the
  core circle in one’s field.
• For ECRs, it is important to start forming
  connections with promising researchers
  of their generation now, laying the
  groundwork for joining the heart of their
  field’s research community.

Fellows use the Global Insight Individual Logic Plan (GIILP)—L-INSIGHT’s online tool—to identify the competencies they need to acquire. Each Fellow develops GIILP as their personal assessment tool, supported by one-on-one conversations with their Professor Emerit Mentor and Program Advising Mentor. Once a year, Fellows link their activities to relevant competencies, using this process and its results for self-assessment and improvement. E-NER also uses GIILP to visualize how each program affects Fellows’ competency development. These insights help improve current programs and develop new ones, enhancing L-INSIGHT’s overall effectiveness. GIILP connects Fellows’ individual research activities with E-NER, playing a crucial role in maximizing program benefits for Fellows. The diagram below shows the items included in GIILP.