Saltar para o conteúdo principal

FCCNFCT Digital Services

Access the national information on scientific and technological funding in Portugal

Activity Funded

HERCULES Laboratory - Cultural Heritage, Studies and Safeguard

Laboratório HERCULES - Herança Cultural, Estudos e Salvaguarda

Reference
UIDP/04449/2020
Project Start Date
2020-01-01
Project End Date
2024-12-31
Principal Investigator
Funding Program
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Programático

Abstract

10.2 Summary in English for general dissemination purposes Criado em 2009, o Laboratório HERCULES é uma unidade de investigação da Universidade de Évora dedicada ao estudo e valorização do património cultural (CH), focada na integração de metodologias e ferramentas de ciências físicas e naturais em abordagens interdisciplinares. O Lab. HERCULES tem sede em Évora, uma cidade Património Mundial da UNESCO, e é composto por vários laboratórios e por uma unidade móvel com equipamentos de ponta e capacidade para desenvolver investigação inovadora incluindo análises in-situ não-invasivas, microanálise e análise química de alta resolução e desenvolvimento de materiais e produtos inovadores, de bio- a nano-, tornando-se um laboratório único na Europa. O Laboratório HERCULES tem como objetivo unir recursos e competências de diferentes áreas científicas para trazer uma nova abordagem para a investigação em património e sustenta suas atividades em 4 grandes linhas de investigação: 1) Abordagens Arqueométricas de culturas do Passado; 2) Ciências para as Artes; 3) Ciência para a Conservação do Património; e 4) Novos materiais e ferramentas para o património cultural. O Laboratório HERCULES está profundamente envolvido em redes e parcerias, coordenando a infraestrutura ERIHS.PT do Roteiro Nacional de Infraestruturas de Investigação de Interesse Estratégico e que é o nó nacional da infraestrutura ERIHS – European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science, do ESFRI. O seu plano estratégico visa alavancar e promover sua atividade e impacto social, a fim de aumentar o reconhecimento e a capacidade de resposta do laboratório, contribuindo de forma significativa para elevar o nível científico da investigação em Património Cultural. A visão estratégica para otimizar a investigação e projetar o Lab HERCULES assenta em 5 grandes pilares: 1. GESTÃO E COMUNICAÇÃO através da implementação de um Sistema de Controle de Qualidade e um sólido Plano de Comunicação e Sistema de Incentivo à Produção 2. FINANCIAMENTO INTERNACIONAL E REDES, visando oportunidades de financiamento da UE com temas de investigação inovadores e fortalecendo a sua participação na ERA através da infraestrutura ERIHS (ESFRI). 3. TRANSFERÊNCIA DE CONHECIMENTO E AGENDA DE INVESTIGAÇÃO através de uma interface de transferência de tecnologia e de desenvolvimento de programas de I&D em novas soluções e produtos para conservação e diagnóstico e em desafios societais emergentes (mudanças climáticas, trânsitos culturais, património digital) 4. FORMAÇÃO E ACESSO ABERTO, desenvolvendo e consolidando um Programa de Formação robusto sobre Ciências do Património e Arqueometria que coloque a Universidade de Évora como uma Instituição de ensino superior nacional (e europeia) de referência na área e fortalecendo a sua política de ciência aberta 5. DIVULGAÇÃO E PAPEL SOCIAL por envolvimento público e um forte Plano de Ação de Divulgação e Extensão contribuindo para a consciencialização pública da importância do PC como um bem económico e social da humanidade. 10.3 Summary in English for evaluation Created in 2009, HERCULES Lab is a research unit devoted to the study and valorisation of cultural heritage (CH), focusing on the integration of physical and natural sciences methodologies and tools in an interdisciplinary approach. HERCULES Lab is based in Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city, comprising several laboratories and a mobile lab with state-of-the-art equipment and capability to develop groundbreaking research. The analytical setup includes in-situ non-invasive analysis and imaging, laboratory microanalysis, high resolution chemical analysis. Currently it is also developing innovative materials and products, from bio to nano, making it a unique laboratory facility in Europe. The HERCULES Lab is supported by both a strong analytic infrastructure and skilled human resources. The Lab is currently comprised by a team of 27 high qualified researchers (14 with permanent positions and 13 young Post-docs) from different areas of knowledge, namely chemistry, biochemistry, geology, materials science, conservation and archaeology, enabling a truly interdisciplinary approach to the study of CH. Based on this infrastructure and know-how, HERCULES is focused not only in its scientific production (in the last 3 years, over 198 articles with peer-review, ~2.9 articles/PhD member/year) but also in Knowledge Transfer, in Advanced Training (coordination of an Erasmus Mundus MSc and a Marie Curie ITN PhD) and developing continuous dissemination and outreach activities (including cooperation with schools, workshops, conferences, courses and co-edition of 2 open access journals). With this capability, HERCULES Lab is at the forefront of the development of integrated research for the valorization of CH through its study from the material point of view, including the characterization of materials, their provenance, technology inherent to its creation, degradation state and mitigation mechanisms, as well as by developing new methodologies and new materials for its conservation and valorization. The HERCULES Lab aims to join resources and skills from different research areas to bring a new approach into heritage research and to strengthen Portugal’s position in the mainstream of European heritage research. For this, HERCULES Lab sustains its activities in 4 major lines of research: 1) Archaeometric approaches to past cultures; 2) Sciences for the Arts; 3) Science for Heritage Conservation; and 4) Novel materials and tools for cultural heritage. The merging between these 4 lines of research allows scrolling through multiple paths at the level of research, teaching, appreciation, protection, dissemination and enjoyment of CH. The high competitiveness of HERCULES Lab is translated in its funding raising track record (over 6.5Meuros since 2014) and present coordination of 8 R&D projects (3 FCT, 3 Portugal2020, 2 EU), and participation in other 16 projects (5 FCT , 6 Portugal2020, 3 FCG, 2 EU). The HERCULES lab is deeply engaged in networking and teaming at both national and international level. HERCULES Lab coordinates the National Roadmap Strategic Research Infrastructure ERIHS.PT which grants access and scientific support to the heritage conservation and social sciences community and is the national hub of the ESFRI infrastructure ERIHS - European Research Infrastructure in Heritage Science. At national level has the scientific coordination of the National Laboratory for Conservation and Restoration, and joined with other research centers from Évora University (ICAAM, CIDEHUS, CHAIA, ICT, CEFAGE) to establish the UEvora Platform for Mediterranean Studies, where scientific exchange and interdisciplinary approaches will be promoted to tackle unique challenges related with climate changes, as well as rapid social, demographic, economic, environmental and political changes. The HERCULES Lab strategic plan aims to leverage and promote its productive activity and social impact in order to provide this scientific infrastructure of greater international recognition and better responsiveness from all who seek it either internally or externally, ultimately making a significant contribution to raise the scientific level of Cultural Heritage research and social development. Our strategic vision to optimize research and excel HERCULES Lab can be summed up into 5 MAJOR TARGETS: 1. MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION through the implementation of a Quality Control System and a solid Communication Plan and production incentive system; 2. INTERNATIONAL FUNDING AND NETWORKING by targeting EU funding opportunities with groundbreaking research topics and partners, and concomitant with its participating role in the ESFRI ERIHS; 3. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AND KEY RESEARCH AGENDA through a technology transfer interface and development of R&D programs on novel solutions and products for conservation and diagnosis, and on emerging societal challenges (climatic changes, cultural transits, digital heritage); 4. TRAINING AND OPEN ACCESS by developing, creating and consolidating a robust program of advanced and technical training opportunities on Heritage Sciences and Archaeometry built on expertise and installed analytical infrastructure that places Évora University as a premier national (and European) High Education Institution, andby strengthening its open science /open data internal policy; 5. OUTREACH AND SOCIAL ROLE by public engagement and a strong dissemination and outreach action plan contributing for the public awareness of the importance of CH as an economic and social asset of mankind Ultimately, HERCULES Lab intends to CREATE THE SCIENTIFIC ENVIRONMENT EXPECTED FOR A REFERENCE RESEARCH INSTITUTION of the Portuguese Science and Technology System sponsored by FCT.

Institutions

Main Institutions

  • Universidade de Évora Laboratório Hercules Herança Cultural Estudos e Salvaguarda (HERCULES/Uévora)
  • Universidade de Évora (Uévora)

Funding 1.043.665,59 €

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

1.043.665,59 €