Building networks in smart urban coastal sustainability
Research mobility is a cornerstone of scientific advancement and innovation. The EU-CONEXUS Research Mobility Call continues to facilitate transformative experiences for researchers across disciplines, fostering collaboration through Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS) programmes that transcend geographical boundaries.
For the past two years, the Research Mobility Call has supported numerous researchers in attending high-profile conferences, conducting collaborative research visits, and sharing knowledge with students in partner universities. These activities and collaborative experiences have enhanced the visibility of EU-CONEXUS and contributed to the development of valuable networks and partnerships worldwide.
So far, the EU-CONEXUS Research Mobility Call has supported 30 participations in international conferences on SmUCS topics, 23 invitations of external experts, and over 140 research mobilities among the partner universities. The following examples of five participants who benefitted from this call vividly illustrate the profound impact of research mobility on individual career development and institutional advancement. From sustainable agriculture to energy efficiency, from aquaculture innovations to coastal resilience, these stories show how the outcomes of mobility experiences can extend to benefit entire research communities.
The following accounts reflect only a fraction of the opportunities available through EU-CONEXUS research mobility funding. Beyond the presentations delivered and knowledge gained, each mobility experience inspires new collaborations, sparks innovative research directions, and strengthens the EU-CONEXUS network. As we look toward the future, we invite researchers and PhD students to explore how EU-CONEXUS mobility can elevate the impact of their research and expand their networks. Whether it is presenting recent findings at an international conference, inviting renowned industry experts, or exploring collaboration with partner universities, the EU-CONEXUS Research Mobility Call can provide the support and framework to transform scientific aspirations into reality.
Applications for the next round of funding are now open. For application details and deadlines, visit the EU-CONEXUS Research Mobility Call website or contact your institutional EU-CONEXUS coordinator within the alliance.
Prof. Bettina Eichler-Löbermann
University of Rostock, Germany
Attended the Plant Microbiome Conference in Cairo, Egypt
Date: April 13 to 17, 2024
Prof. Bettina Eichler-Löbermann was invited as a keynote speaker to the Plant Microbiome Conference in Cairo to give the presentation about “Agronomic Measures to Support Microbial Activities and Functions in Soil”. She shared insights relevant to EU-CONEXUS focus on agrobiodiversity and climate-resilient agriculture. Her participation strengthened academic and research collaborations in sustainable agriculture and microbiome science, facilitated knowledge exchange on culturomics and OMICS technologies, and enriched the EU-CONEXUS Minor programme through updated course content. Additionally, networking with experts from Europe, Africa, and Latin America expanded potential partnerships, fostering interdisciplinary research opportunities that align with EU-CONEXUS’s mission in sustainable food systems and environmental resilience.
Prof. Florin Bode
Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest, Romania
Attended the Innovations in Energy and the Environment Conference (InnoEE) in Sofia, Bulgaria
Date: May 13 to 16, 2024
Prof. Florin Bode was invited to participate in the InnoEE conference as a keynote speaker, chairperson, and committee member. Through his participation in this event, Prof. Florin Bode strengthened EU-CONEXUS visibility in the scientific community by promoting the EU-CONEXUS EENVIRO Research Conference and fostering new academic collaborations. As a keynote speaker on Energy and Environment, he also engaged with leading experts and enhanced the EU-CONEXUS network in energy efficiency, ventilation, and thermal comfort research. The insights gained, particularly on balancing energy efficiency and occupant well-being in office buildings, contributed to innovative research directions within the consortium. Additionally, his participation supported multidisciplinary cooperation, facilitating potential joint projects, publications, and funding opportunities that align with the Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability focus.
Dr Evanthia Chatzoglou
Agricultural University of Athens
Attended the AQUA 2024 conference in Copenhagen, Denmark
Date: August 26 to 30, 2024
Dr Evanthia Chatzoglou attended the AQUA 2024 conference to present her recent scientific achievements and the current research activity of the Laboratory of Applied Hydrobiology on the topic of “Effects of Dietary Isoflavones on Vitellogenin Levels of Gilthead Sea Bream Sparus aurata”.
She engaged with international experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, strengthening partnerships with researchers from France, Portugal, Romania, and Cyprus. The conference facilitated multidisciplinary collaboration, providing insights into biosecurity, environmental impact, and innovative technologies in aquaculture. These advancements support sustainable practices and enhance research and education within EU-CONEXUS institutions. Her participation also opened new opportunities for joint projects and funding.
Dr Carol Viviana Amaya Gomez
Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research – AGROSAVIA
Visiting the University of Rostock, Germany
Date: June 17 to 22, 2024
Under the invitation of Prof. Bettina Eichler-Löbermann, Dr Carol Viviana Amaya Gomez visited the University of Rostock from June 17 to 22, 2024. During this research visit, Dr Carol Viviana Amaya Gomez delivered a lecture in the MSc course “Land Use Systems in the Tropics” and presented research findings at the Workshop MicroFunction 2024 on June 21, strengthening connections between AGROSAVIA and European institutions, including the University of Rostock, the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, and the Helmholtz Zentrum in Munich. By showcasing AGROSAVIA’s microbial germplasm and its biotechnological applications, she highlighted opportunities for EU-CONEXUS researchers to explore innovative solutions in plant growth promotion, pathogen control, and bioremediation. This visit laid the groundwork for long-term cooperation, offering EU-CONEXUS access to AGROSAVIA AGROSAVIA’s research infrastructure and expertise in sustainable agriculture.
Dr Emmanuel Acheampong
University of Cape Coast – Africa Center of Excellence in Coastal Resilience (ACECoR)
Visiting the Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest, Romania
Date: September 28 to October 2, 2024
Dr Emmanuel Acheampong was invited as a keynote speaker to the EU-CONEXUS EENVIRO Research Conference 2024. During the event, he gave a presentation titled “Sustainable Marine Fisheries Development Amidst the Strive for Energy Sufficiency in West Africa: The Challenges and Prospects in Ghana”.
His participation in the conference facilitated knowledge exchange on sustainable marine fisheries and energy sufficiency, benefiting EU-CONEXUS researchers by integrating insights from West Africa. Additionally, the visit advanced discussions on grantsmanship and research funding, opening opportunities for joint future projects. The engagement also expanded EU-CONEXUS’s network by including industry experts in big data analytics and sustainable energy. These new additions serve to enhance EU-CONEXUS research capacity and interdisciplinary collaboration in coastal sustainability.
