The EXPER project’s Societal Challenges Working Groups (SCWGs) convened at the Summer School in Gran Canaria from July 17–19, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in advancing multidisciplinary and collaborative research to tackle pressing societal challenges. The two established SCWGs, integral to the project’s Work Package 4 on Promoting Excellent and Responsible Research, are focused on Adaptation to Climate Change (SCWG 1) and Restoring Our Oceans and Waters (SCWG 2).
During the event, the SCWGs presented their comprehensive action plans, which outline three primary objectives:
- Identification of new research strands to address societal challenges;
- Preparation of Joint Research Projects under Horizon Europe calls, aligned with the identified research strands;
- Organisation of meetings to support the aforementioned objectives.
Researchers from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the University of the Azores (UAC), the Widening Institutions within the EXPER project, had previously identified critical new research strands. These were unveiled by the leading scientific team during the summer school.
For SCWG 1, which is committed to Adapting to Climate Change, Dr. Levi Garcia Romero from ULPGC and Dr. Joana Barcelos e Ramos from UAC presented key research areas, including biodiversity conservation and protection, environmental impacts, and sustainable environmental policy and governance. Their presentation was further enriched by the participation of Mr. Manuel Amorin from the SME ‘Sustain Azores,’ whose expertise aligns closely with these strands and is expected to contribute significantly to the group’s success.
SCWG 2, focused on Restoring Our Oceans and Waters, saw Dr. Rodrigo Riera Elena from ULPGC and Dr. Andrea Zita Botelho from UAC introduce the group’s core topics, which include climate change adaptation and resilience, marine biodiversity conservation, marine spatial planning, sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture, and marine pollution prevention and control. The group also welcomed the insights of Dr. Jelena Pantel, an expert in biodiversity forecasting, whose complementary expertise offers significant collaboration opportunities.
In line with the SCWGs’ mission, the core team—comprising researchers and EXPER project managers—held strategic meetings to outline the next steps for implementing each group’s action plan. The immediate focus is on the preparation of joint research projects under Horizon Europe calls. To facilitate this, the team will organise regular online meetings aimed at networking and exchanging project ideas with strong potential for EU funding.
Soon, the SCWGs will open their doors for public registration: Researchers, SMEs, and stakeholders with relevant expertise are invited to join these groups, which are designed to foster networking among experts with a high commitment to submitting project proposals for EU funding. The EXPER project will provide full support for these proposals.
Registration for the groups will begin after the summer period. For more information, interested parties can contact: exper@itccanarias.org.
