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Activity Funded

Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies

Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar

Reference
UIDB/50017/2020
Project Start Date
2020-01-01
Project End Date
2024-12-31
Principal Investigator
Scientific Area
Exact sciences
Funding Program
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Base

Abstract

10.2 Summary in English for general dissemination purposes CESAM's mission is to develop leading international research on environmental sciences and related risks, including extreme weather events and climate change, with a special emphasis on complex socio-ecological coastal systems and marine areas. CESAM gathers researchers, students and collaborators with knowledge and competences on a broad range of expertise on environmental sciences, which is a unique asset in R&D units in Portugal. CESAM aims to contribute to the national imperative of economic growth and innovation, and the creation of jobs supported by a knowledge-based society. Strategically, CESAM aims to maintain and promote the balance representation of its broad range of expertise, having its research structured organised in 4 transversal strategic thematic lines (TLs) that are operationalised through 10 interlinked research groups (RG). The complementarity of the RGs allows CESAM to develop multi- and inter-disciplinary approaches to envisaged complex environmental challenges, contributing to the understanding, mitigation, adaptation and resolution of environmental changes within regional, national and global contexts. In brief, the 4 TL concern: i) the role of the environment as a determinant of human health; ii) the innovative products, services, models and processes that can benefit the environment and human well-being, iii) the functional role of biodiversity, structure and processes of ecosystems, and the services they provide; and iv) the complex interrelations between maritime activities, blue growth and the marine environment.To operationalize the R&D unit activities, CESAM follows a 3 levels bottom-up management approach: i) Cross Management of RGs (e.g., linked to CESAM's research and innovation projects, multi-tier Dissemination & Communication and to the national and international networking and training), ii) Integrative TL Management (e.g., linked to crosscutting approaches to environmental problems that are complex and transdisciplinary), and iii) Strategic Management (e.g., CESAM's vision and governance linked to the regulation (Regulamento n.º 865/2016) published in the Portuguese Official Journal Diário da República n.º 174/2016, Série II, September 09. To reinforce CESAM's Excellence in research, we will focus on three pillars: i) foster our investment in scientific jobs and advanced training, to better prepare younger researchers for job opportunities, considering the 8 pathways of FCT strategic programme; ii) promote context-specific research driven by societal needs and curiosity-driven research and innovation, foreseeing economic growth and innovation and the creation of jobs supported by a knowledge-based society; iii) reinforce our network and internationalization, taking advantage of already established networks and the 2013/17 investment in infrastructures and equipment. 10.3 Summary in English for evaluation CESAM gathers researchers, students and collaborators with knowledge and competences on a broad range of expertise in environmental sciences, which is a unique asset in R&D units in Portugal. Following the latest successful organisational experience, CESAM will keep its research structured in 4 transversal strategic thematic lines (TLs) operational through 10 interlinked research groups (RGs). To set the R&D unit activities, CESAM follows a 3 levels bottom-up management approach: i) Cross Management of RGs (e.g. linked to CESAM's multi-tier Dissemination & Communication Plan), ii) Integrative TL Management (e.g. linked to crosscutting approaches to environmentalproblems that are complex and transdisciplinary), and iii) Strategic Management (e.g. CESAM's vision and governance linked to the regulation (Regulamento n.º865/2016) published in the Portuguese Official Journal (DR n.º174/2016, Série II). To reinforce its Excellence in research, CESAM will focus on 3 pillars: i) foster investment in scientific jobs and advanced training to better prepare younger researchers for job opportunities; ii) promote context-specific research driven by societal needs and curiosity-driven research and innovation, foreseeing economic growth and innovation and the creation of jobs supported by a knowledge-based society; iii) reinforce our network and internationalization, taking advantage of already established networks and the 2013/17 investment in infrastructures and equipment. The foreseen actions are: Scientific jobs& Advanced training - In 2013/17 CESAM strategically financed 10 highly qualified researchers and 7 high-level PhD technicians/science managers (ca. 500 k€/yr). Now, we are increasing the amount for Scientific jobs ca. 40%, to ca. 825 k€/yr. We have also advertised the FCT 500 positions combined with CESAM's expertise and infrastructures, to promote its attractive potential for excellent researchers. We will support younger researchers building relevant and applicable (e.g. promoting entrepreneurship) skills for scientific jobs considering the 8 pathways defined by FCT on this subject, including PhDs in companies; and will foster actions to further attract excellent researchers. CESAM researchers will reinforce the offer of specialized training through Advanced Courses (most part of international programmes; some sponsored by companies). PhD grants are also requested in the scope the Doctoral Programmes: Biology and Ecology of Global Changes; Do*Mar-Marine Science, Technology and Management; Environmental Sciences and Engineering; and Biology. Context-specific research& Curiosity-driven research and innovation - We have identified research areas where CESAM can effectively contribute to the present and emergent societal challenges, e.g. i) maritime including deep-sea governance; biotechnology; circular-economy; nanomaterials, microplastics and other emergent pollutants; biodiversity; forest governance; food-safety; climate change mitigation and adaptation. Furthermore, we have identified flagship companies with whom CESAM collaborates and will foster strategic collaborations: e.g., Navigator Company (management and valorisation of natural resources, mitigation of impacts and life cycle assessment); Bosch (innovative cleaner solutions); Sonae SA (valorisation and efficient use of marine resources through innovative technological solutions); Oceanário (rescue and rehabilitation centre for marine animals). Collaboration with other R&D Units and SMEs is also being reinforced (e.g. LIS-Water, Lisbon International Centre for Water; BlueBio Alliance, marine biotech & bioresources players) to address specific societal challenges that are supported by Portuguese, EU and International funding programmes. Furthermore, to ensure the best practical use of CESAM's research, fostering multi-actor approaches, a Stakeholders Consultation Committee consisting of 10 individuals representing key local, regional and national players is nowestablished. Collaborative Laboratories (CoLabs) are also seen by CESAM as an opportunity to foster research, innovation, advanced training and job opportunities. In fact, CESAM and CIIMAR are developing a joint proposal to form a CoLab on Applied Marine Sciences and Blue Biotechnology having already secured the participation of the main companies in the Portuguese landscape of Sea Economy; and CoLabs in Forests and Circular Economy are being considered. This pillar also foresees the excellence of CESAM's researchers in actions of special relevance to society at national (Portuguese Institutions, Companies), EU (DG MARE, DG Env) and international (IOC-UNESCO, OCDE) levels, and promote citizens science and a strong culture of science and technology to society. Network and internationalization - To strengthen the team expertise and internationalization, we have strategically selected the field of Environmental Economics& Natural Resources to submit a proposal to the 2018 ERA-Chair Call aiming to attract outstanding international researchers. This crosscutting topic can also attract promising young researchers from abroad in the fields of circular economy at different scales from catchment to coast and deep-sea, i.e., covering green and blue economy domains. CESAM will strengthen collaboration within established international networks (e.g. EuroMarine-European marine science network, ICOS-infrastructure for theintegrated monitoring of green-house gases in terrestrial ecosystems and atmosphere, LTER-Portugal Long-Term Ecosystem Research Network infrastructure, European EU-LTER and International I-LTER) and working groups (e.g. Cost actions, ICES WG). Special attention will be given to reinforce mobility within the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), the Ibero-American programme CYTED, and Do Mar campus of excellence. Strategically, CESAM has selected 2 important networks (EUROCEAN and AlterNet) to join and both have acknowledged and welcomed our application.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Universidade de Aveiro Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (UA CESAM)
  • Universidade de Aveiro (UA)

Other Institutions

  • FCiênciasID Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências (Fciências.ID)

Funding 5.141.960,00 €

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal

5.141.960,00 €