This is a public database of research institutions and projects that want to host science journalists for their FRONTIERS Residencies.
The Hosts Database contains expressions of interest received by the FRONTIERS Team and these are a great starting point for applicants. However, an institution does not have to be in this Database to be eligible as a host institution. Journalists are encouraged to do their investigation and contact the research institutions that best fit their project.
If you have any questions or feedback about this database, please check out the FRONTIERS Program Guide and Frequently Asked Questions pages, or write to support@frontiersmedia.eu.
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Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology
We dedicate our research to natural products from micro-organisms and the infection biology of pathogenic fungi. Microbial natural products serving as mediators in the biological communication are essential for our lives. However, they play an ambivalent role in this process: On the one hand, they are involved in the emergence of numerous infectious diseases; on the other hand, they belong to the most important sources of medicinal products like antibiotics.
Read MoreIn order to examine microbial natural products and to understand infectious diseases better, we combine both areas of research. We aim to elucidate how microorganisms produce both pathogenic substances and pharmacologically relevant components. Beyond that, these substances of micro-organisms serve as instruments of communication among themselves. Another module of our research is the interaction of pathogenic microorganisms with their host. We are interested in investigating the methods and tricks that both parties use in this process.Numerous individual joint projects enable us to acquire new knowledge in the field of biosynthesis and the function of natural products. We use this knowledge to develop innovative ingredients for the diagnosis and therapy of illnesses, including new anti-infectives. Implementing our research results and the models derived thereof, we contribute to the development of a systems biology of infections.
Research DomainContact PersonFriederike Gawlikfriederike.gawlik@leibniz-hki.de -
Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS
The Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS develops effective strategies for the prevention of chronic, non-communicable diseases. Supporting a healthy life-course early on is our primary goal. The focus of our research is therefore on factors beyond individual diseases, such as lifestyle and environment, biological and social factors, as well as early detection and drug safety. Our research spectrum covers methodological development, the identification of the causes of diseases, and intervention and implementation research. We also offer information to politicians and the general population and provide academic qualification to young scientists. BIPS thus covers the entire cycle of epidemiological research.
Read MoreUnder the central theme of “population-based prevention research in the life-course,” the institute conducts interdisciplinary epidemiological health research on the national and international level. It develops innovative methods and utilizes diverse data sources to study significant health disorders and to evaluate preventive measures and strategies. In addition, BIPS significantly contributes to the establishment of research infrastructures of national and international importance. To this end, BIPS is also committed to the expansion of research data management and the FAIRification of research data as an important basis of Open Science and Open Data.For many years, strengthening prevention has been a key scientific, social, and political objective. BIPS is dedicated to achieve this goal with high-quality research based upon methodological research investigating epidemiological questions with a focus on the development of epidemiological and statistical methods. The institute emphasizes the particular importance of the life-course perspective for the health of individuals and the population as a whole with its focus on long-term studies. Research at the institute provides important insights to ensure and improve health and well-being with measures that begin early and are related to transition periods within the life-course.
Research DomainContact PersonRasmus Cloescloes@leibniz-bips.deHost InstitutionLeibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPSGermany
Hosting ConditionsEach FRONTIERS fellow will be provided with an individual office/desk, equipped with the necessary amenities for a comfortable and efficient working environment. We boast a dedicated press office with a team of 4 professionals. Our press office is experienced in working with journalists and researchers alike, ensuring that you have the support needed for your reporting and research endeavors. Our team operates on a hybrid work schedule, with three days in the office and two days working remotely. Fellows will have 24/7 access to the premises, ensuring that you can work according to your own schedule and pace. Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, our facilities will be open to you. While we do not have an on-site cafeteria, we offer well-equipped cooking facilities for those who prefer to prepare their meals. Additionally, our institution is surrounded by a variety of dining options to cater to diverse tastes and preferences. Fellows will have access to our extensive library, housing a wealth of academic literature, journals, and publications. Furthermore, you will be granted access to a range of online resources to aid in your research and reporting. Recognizing the importance of coffee in fueling research and journalism, we ensure there is a steady supply of coffee available for all.
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Paul Drude Institute for Solid State Electronics
The Paul-Drude-Institut fรผr Festkรถrperelektronik (PDI) is a research institute in Berlin, Germany. We perform basic and applied research at the nexus of materials science, condensed matter physics, and device engineering. The institute is part of the Forschungsverbund Berlin and a member of the Leibniz Association.
At PDI, we focus on the fabrication and analysis of nanomaterials for semiconductor technology. Since our foundation in 1992, we have been dedicated to the advancement of materials science, particularly in the development and application of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). We have the expertise and facilities in-house to manage the entire process from growth of materials, to microstructural characterization, spectroscopic analysis, and theoretical modeling. PDI works closely with partners from science, industry and academia, and actively engages in the transfer of knowledge and technologies to the public. The institute is committed to advancing science through the training and education of young researchers.
Research DomainContact PersonEimear Bruenbruen@pdi-berlin.deHosting ConditionsJournalists will have an office space at PDI and the ability to work in a hybrid manner. They will have access to the library, labs, and insights through our scientists and technicians. They will have the support of our Head of Communications and administrative team.
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Cavendish Laboratory
For 150 years, the Cavendish Laboratory has been at the forefront of scientific discovery. Our researchers work at the frontier of physics, from experimental and theoretical through to applied physics in biology, biomedicine and the life sciences, and the physics of sustainability.
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The core of the Laboratoryโs programme has been, and continues to be, experimental physics, supported by excellence in theory. Much of our research and teaching has been driven by the desire to understand physics at its most basic level and to answer many of the ‘big questions’ in physics.We work across ten key research themes: Astrophysics, Physics of Soft Matter and NanoSystems, Energy Materials, Applied Quantum Physics and Devices, Physics of Life, High Energy Physics, Theory of Condensed Matter, Synthetic Quantum Systems, Fundamental Physics of Quantum Matter and Quantum Information and Control.
These fields encompass a variety of research groups, eachin with its own scientific aims and ambitions but united by two common goals:
– the search for a fundamental understanding of the Universe and the laws that govern it
– seeking new ways to apply the laws of nature.
Research DomainContact PersonVanessa Bismuthvb425@cam.ac.ukHosting ConditionsWe will provide a desk in our new home, the Ray Dolby Cente, a state of the art and purpose-built facility in the heart of Cambridge's innovation district. Our press office is available to host and organise the induction within the department. You will be able to work hybrid and will have access to our library, online resources and other facilities available on the premises and within the University. We may be able to arrange for accomodation through one of the colleges (to be determined).
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Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT)
The Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT) develops innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer, autoimmunity, and chronic inflammation. By reprogramming immune cells through synthetic and pharmacologic intervention, we build cells that save lives.
Our scientific activities are structured into three Research Areas: Discovery, Translation, and Clinical Application. All three work in synergy with one another. Our work starts with basic research into the areas of immune regulation, immune metabolism, cancer, and tissue homeostasis. It carries on with a focus on therapy developmentโspanning the creation of new formats of genetic and pharmacologic cell manipulation and drug-compliant manufacturing processes. Finally, we seek to apply our discoveries in early clinical trials on patients themselves.
Read MoreDiscovery: This branch of research investigates the highly complex interactions of different immune cellsโwith each other and with the organismโs cellsโto understand how the immune system maintains the health of the organism.
Translation: This area focuses specifically on the preclinical development of immune-cell therapeutics. This includes the identification, differentiation, expansion, and preclinical testing of therapeutically relevant immune cell populations.
Clinical Application: At the LIT, our core focus is on the clinical translation of scientific findings: We therefore place significant emphasis on the development and roll out of clinical trials and focus on the clinical implementation of the results.
Research DomainContact PersonKerstin Wildkerstin.wild@ukr.deHosting ConditionsAt the LIT a journalist will have a working space with access to wi-fi. Access to LIT is possible 24/7 with a personal electronic device and a name badge. All electronic resources (books, scientific journals and databases), events and activities organized for the institutionโs staff, the cafeteria and canteen will be accessible for a visiting journalist. PR & Media Relations staff will support the visiting journalist. The LIT staff is international and official language in our institution is English!
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Reinforcing under-utilised crops at the Portuguese living lab GPeaPort – The DIVINFOOD project
In Europe, an increasing number of consumers are embracing plant-based diets and reducing meat consumption. A 2021 survey found that around 30% of Europeans follow a flexitarian diet, focused on plant-base foods with occasional meat consumption. This dietary trend underscores the demand for improved, minimally processed, and nutrient-rich alternatives.
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The DIVINFOOD project aims to develop food chains that value under-utilised agrobiodiversity, in order to act against the decline of biodiversity and meet the growing expectations of consumers for healthy, local products that contribute to sustainable food systems. DIVINFOOD operates holistically across the food chain, fostering collaboration among researchers, farmers, processors, market intermediaries, and consumers, to maximize cereals and legumes food chains, realizing their potential for diversified and healthy diets.Funded under the European Commission Horizon 2020 Sustainable Food Security call, DIVINFOOD boasts a consortium of 25 European institutions led by the Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement, in France, with four Portuguese partners: ITQB NOVA, รvora University, ADECA and Cooking lab. In Portugal, the project focuses on grass pea (Lathyrus sativus).
Carlota Vaz Patto coordinates the ITQB NOVA team engaged in DIVINFOOD, specifically the PlantX Lab. With a history of participatory research with local grass pea farmers in Alvaiรกzere, Portugal, the team has expanded its scope under DIVINFOOD to include a wider range of farmers and processors, establishing the Portuguese living lab, GPeaPort, under her coordination. Living labs are user-centric innovation systems that foster co-creation, integrating research and innovation within community contexts. GPeaPort aims to revitalize and value grass pea cultivation and use by enhancing varietal diversity and developing innovative food products with local food producers, consumers, chefs, cooks, small-scale processors, rural development associations, local authorities and researchers, using a citizen science approach.
At ITQB NOVA, the Genetics and Genomics of Plant Complex Traits (PlantX) Laboratory, led by Carlota Vaz Patto, specializes in molecular quantitative genetics applied to plant breeding. The lab focuses on identifying genes controlling complex interesting traits, such as disease/drought resistance or seed quality, to develop control models, scientific methods and molecular tools to assist precision breeding programs. Within the scope of DIVINFOOD, PlantX hopes to contribute to the diversification of grass pea production systems, through the improvement of its traditional varieties โ boosting tolerance to drought, enhancing nutritional quality, and increasing production capacity. They hope to contribute, in collaboration with other Portuguese stakeholders, to diversify diets, by facilitating the implementation of alternative mild processing methods to obtain innovative food products.
Research DomainContact PersonRenata Ramalhorenata.ramalho@itqb.unl.ptHosting ConditionsThe science journalist will be given credentials to access ITQB NOVA premises 24/7, including access to the cafeteria and canteen and other shared areas, such as the library. The journalist will have a dedicated desk and laptop computer with Wi-Fi access and will be able to use the instituteโs printers and other resources. ITQB NOVA has a Communication office with whom the science journalist can collaborate with at all times, creating mutual learning opportunities. The journalist is also welcome to participate in all relevant events open to the staff, including seminars, training and networking activities and to take part in social and cultural events. The PlantX lab comprises eight researchers, including postdoctoral researchers, PhD and MSc students, each pursuing their specific projects. They will be readily available to meet with the visiting journalist, sharing their perspectives on science and demonstrating that frontier science is inherently collaborative, requiring concerted and dedicated efforts to validate or falsify the hypotheses under study.
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MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences
MARUM produces fundamental scientific knowledge about the role of the ocean and the ocean floor in the total Earth system. The dynamics of the ocean and the ocean floor significantly impact the entire Earth system through the interaction of geological, physical, biological and chemical processes. These influence both the climate and the global carbon cycle, and create unique biological systems.
MARUM is committed to fundamental and unbiased research in the interests of society and the marine environment, and in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. It publishes its quality-assured scientific data and makes it publicly available. MARUM informs the public about new discoveries in the marine environment and provides practical knowledge through its dialogue with society. MARUM cooperates with commercial and industrial partners in accordance with its goal of protecting the marine environment.
Research DomainContact PersonUlrike Prangeuprange@marum.deHosting ConditionsMARUM is located on the University of Bremen's campus. Base for our Frontiers fellow would be the press department at MARUM. Most of the scientists are working here and remotely with a presence day every Tuesday. We will make sure to establish contacts based on indivitual interests. The building is open between 6 am and 6 pm, with options to access is before and after these times.
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Music Technology Group (MTG)
The Music Technology Group (MTG) of the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) is an internationally recognized research group with 30 years of experience. The group is part of the Department of Information and Communications Technologies, and its research is especially active in topics such as audio signal processing, musical information retrieval, musical interfaces, and computational musicology. The group has extensive experience in research projects both nationally and internationally, and actively works in collaboration with industry. Some technology transfer success stories include Vocaloid, a singing voice synthesiser developed with Yamaha which gained great popularity around the world thanks to the virtual singer Hatsune Miku, and the commercial exploitation of the interactive instrument Reactable, developed at the MTG and used by many popular bands such as Bjork or Coldplay.
Read MoreThe Music Technology Group (MTG) of the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) is an internationally recognized research group with 30 years of experience. The group is part of the Department of Information and Communications Technologies, and its research is especially active in topics such as audio signal processing, musical information retrieval, musical interfaces, and computational musicology. The group has extensive experience in research projects both nationally and internationally, and actively works in collaboration with industry. Some technology transfer success stories include Vocaloid, a singing voice synthesiser developed with Yamaha which gained great popularity around the world thanks to the virtual singer Hatsune Miku, and the commercial exploitation of the interactive instrument Reactable, developed at the MTG and used by many popular bands such as Bjork or Coldplay.
In the last years the research team has been involved in some projects related to Artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact in the processes of creating, disseminating, learning and listening to music. The MTG has recently launched a Chair on AI & Music focused on the ethical and social implications of AI in the music sector.
AI has been heralded as a transformative force within the music sector, promising unparalleled opportunities to amplify creativity, accessibility, and efficiency. However, amidst this promise, concerns have arisen from most of the established stakeholders regarding the risks it poses, particularly for artists, prompting calls for robust public regulations. This has triggered an unprecedented public debate in which ethical concerns are taking center stage, underscoring the need for creating AI technologies founded on strong ethical principles.
We should make sure that AI technologies can assist all the music sector stakeholders on their diverse tasks, while placing artists/musicians at the center. Large AI models should aim to capture the essence of music understanding and they should be able to solve specific problems by fine-tuning them. These large AI models should be trained on huge amounts of diverse multimodal music data and their outputs should capture the complex relationships that make up music. The fine-tuned models should support specific tasks related to the creation, production, distribution, access, analysis, or enjoyment of music.
Research DomainContact PersonSonia Espรญsonia.espi@upf.eduHosting ConditionsDesk in an office at the research lab, and possibility to work remotely. Access to cafeteria, library, contact with the institutional press office. Interaction with the research team and participation in research meetings.
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State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart
The aim of SMNS research is to comprehensively understand changes in biodiversity at all levels – from genetic diversity to the diversity of species and communities to the level of ecosystems – over geological timescales. SMNS investigates how the diversity of organisms, species communities and interactions has developed in the course of evolution, discerning patterns of change over time and which biotic and abiotic environmental drivers are responsible for this. The SMNS investigates both evolutionary and anthropogenic influences on biodiversity across different temporal and spatial scales.
Read MoreOur expertise encompasses a wide variety of organisms, from charismatic Indonesian tarsiers under threat of extinction to thermophilic neophytes that have spread rapidly and conquered new habitats in the past decades in response to rising temperatures. From giant fossil marine reptiles that were dreaded top predators of the Jurassic Sea to millimeter-sized parasitoid wasps that lay their eggs in other insect larvae, preventing agricultural pests. With more than 12 million specimens in our collection and cutting-edge facilities, we investigate this diversity to unravel the uniqueness of each specimen. It is the fascinating stories behind each specimen that we convey not only in scientific articles but also to our visitors in the exhibition. Be it the first evidence of cancer from 240 million years ago, the predation among giant marine reptiles, as evidenced by bite marks or how the evolution of mouthparts contributed to the diversity we see in some hyperdiverse insect groups.
Through close collaborations, such as with the particle accelerator at KIT, we are able to use synchrotron radiation to create three-dimensional models of insects trapped in amber millions of years ago or visualize the behavior of live parasitoid wasps moving in their host.
We regularly carry out expeditions and paleontological excavations. Both in the vicinity, where many world-famous fossil deposits are easily accessible and also worldwide, with many highly important findings. They range from small, such as the oldest fossil hummingbird to the probably heaviest animal that ever lived on earth: Perucetus colossus. Our scientists describe new species from the meadows and forests in the area where most people would not expect to find the unknown. But also from remote areas such as cave systems across Europe, tropical rainforests or the islands of New Caledonia. We do this together with institutions and researchers from the area and maintain close collaborations that allow for capacity building and vice versa knowledge exchange on an eye level. We are active members in several networks, through which we are able to join forces with other natural history museums, universities and research institutions of all kinds to conduct large-scale projects, such as the German Barcode of Life.Research DomainContact PersonPeter Warthpeter.warth@smns-bw.deHosting ConditionsHosted journalists will be given general access to premises and ressources like guest researchers. Access to the exhibition building will be regularly available during opening hours and to the research building from 7 am to 9 pm. Access to the collections and additional times can be arranged for. A basic workspace including IT equipment will be at your disposal. Wifi is accessible in most parts of the building and this includes automatic online access to scientific journals. The library is well equipped and openly accessible in the research building. There is no cafeteria per se, but the restaurant in the exhibition building offers a discount. SMNS has a guest room to host you onsite but due to high frequentation needs to be reserved ahead. SMNS researchers mostly work on site and interact actively, but solutions for working remotely or in hybrid environments are offered according to individual preferences and living conditions. Possibilities to join field work, such as paleontological excavations and expeditions need to be discussed with the leading researchers but are generally welcome.
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Frontiers of the Universe: Making Sense of the Universe at Leiden Observatory
Research at Leiden Observatory spans the entire width of modern astrophysical enquiry. It is based on observation, theory, simulation, and experiment. Two broad clusters characterize the ongoing research. Within each theme, researchers carry out their personal and specialized research programme. The two clusters are: Galaxies, the structures in which they are embedded, Exoplanets, and the formation of stars and planets.
Galaxies and the structures in which they are embedded: Researchers at Leiden Observatory study the fundamental physics – the basic properties, materials and forces that create structure in the Universe. Which processes collect matter into galaxies and gas into stars? With the use of powerful telescopes advanced calculations, and computer simulations, astronomers seek to understand the origin, structure and evolution of galaxies in general and the Milky Way in particular. Through these structures, they try to uncover the unknown physics of dark matter and dark energy that takes up 95% of the Universe.
Read moreExoplanets and the formation of stars and planets: At Leiden Observatory, researchers investigate the origin of stars and their planetary systems. They detect and characterize planets around other stars (exoplanets) and study how stars and planets form, for instance, by following molecules from interstellar clouds to nascent planetary systems. In this way, they address questions about the origin of life and the possibilities of life existing on planets other than Earth. In other words, is Earth unique?In the last five years Leiden Observatory hosts nine ERC researchers (list below), these researchers make big contributions to the clusters above.
ERC Reinout van Weeren, Unravelling the pysics of particle acceleration and feedback in galaxy clusters and the cosmic web (2018)
ERC Serena Viti, Molecules as Probes of the Physics of External galaxies (2019)
ERC Joe Hennawi, Quasars in a Neutral Universe: Chronicling the History of Reionization, Enrichment, and Black Hole Growth (2020)
ERC Elena Maria Rossi, Probing our Galaxy from the Center to the outskirts (2020)
ERC Ewine van Dishoeck, Linking chemistry and physics in the planet-forming zones of disks (2021)
ERC Aline Vidotto, The influence of stellar outflows on exoplanetary mass loss (2021)
ERC Henk Hoekstra, Observational Cosmology Using Large Imaging Surveys (2022)
ERC Jackie Hodge, A new View of Young galaxies with ALMA and JWST (2023)
ERC Yamila Miguel, Next-Generation of Interior models of (Exo)planets (2023)These researchers showcase the diversity of frontier research, the diversity of research infrastructures (from space telescopes to radioastronomy) and the diversity of researchers’ careers (from starting to advance ERC grants) and backgrounds.
Research DomainContact PersonPedro Rusorusso@strw.leidenuniv.nlHosting ConditionsThe Leiden Observatory is an exciting international research institute. Established in 1633, it is the oldest university observatory in the world, with a rich tradition. Leiden Observatory conducts world-class research in the formation of structures in the universe, the origin and evolution of galaxies, the detection and characterization of exoplanets, and the formation of stars and planetary systems. The institute comprises about 40 faculty and adjunct faculty, 55 postdoctoral researchers, 120 MSc and 100 PhD students, and 30 support staff. We offer an excellent educational programme at the Bachelorโs and Masterโs levels and a renowned PhD programme. Within the Faculty of Science, the institute closely collaborates with the Leiden Institute of Physics, the Mathematical Institute and the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science. The journalists will be fully embedded in the Observatory with an assigned desk in an office with other researchers, access to every staff, postdoc and PhD student, and invited to attend all the scientific colloquia, seminars, and of course social activities (like the summer bbq). The journalists can use the Leiden University facilities from canteen to other libraries and co-working places in Leiden and the Hauge. Tthere is free coffee and tea.
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Complexity Science Hub
Based in Vienna, the Complexity Science Hub (CSH) is Europe’s research center for translating data into solutions for a better world. A core of CSH’s mission is to conduct independent research in complexity science, addressing key challenges facing society and the planet that cannot be solved by traditional disciplinary approaches. For example, pandemics, the economy, and human migration are all manifestations of multiple interconnected, dynamic, and co-evolving networks that complexity science is uniquely suited to describe.
Read moreCSH researchers have expertise across a wide range of topics, from algorithms to zoonoses and many in between. CSH researchers share the common languages of physics, computation, statistics and applied mathematics and often specialize in one or more additional disciplines, such as sociology, economics, or medicine.
At CSH, researchers extract meaning from the vast amount of data representing our planet’s various dimensions: economics, migration, health, climate change, social values, urban development, and more. With this knowledge, they seek insights that are useful for both science and society, and they can make evidence-based statements about how complex systems will respond to change and propose realistic interventions to move them in a positive direction for society.
Research DomainContact PersonEliza Mutomuto@csh.ac.atHosting ConditionsThe Complexity Science Hub (CSH) welcomes science journalists interested in exploring new areas of research, and understanding how complexity arises and evolves in nature, society, and technology. In addition to deepening their technical knowledge, FRONTIERS fellows will become part of the CSH community and thereby connect with a vibrant and international network of scientists during the fellowship. During their stay at CSH, journalists will have a working space โ an individual desk in an office shared with other researchers or staff โ and access to our infrastructure. Their use of CSH shared spaces will occur under the same conditions as research and admin staff. Fellows will receive a badge granting 24/7 access to the building and their office. As part of the residency, fellows will be supported by the CSH press office, a member of which will serve as the FRONTIERS manager, administering all aspects of the fellowship. The FRONTIERS manager will be the fellow's main point of contact before, during, and after their stay at CSH. During their stay, FRONTIERS fellows are encouraged to interact and network with CSH researchers, visiting scientists and collaborating partners, and to take inspiration from these leaders in complexity science. Journalists will have access to all CSH scientific events (seminars, talks, workshops, colloquia, courses, etc.). As a vibrant, international community, CSH hosts occasional social and cultural events, such as CSH's Art & Science series, to which fellows are cordially invite
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Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)
The IZW conducts wildlife research for conservation from a multidisciplinary perspective. We aim to understand key species’ evolutionary equipment, genetics, reproduction capacity, health and interaction with humans in the context of biodiversity loss and develop effective strategies for these species to cope with the massive and rapid environmental change of our time. We focus on wildlife biology and veterinary science, but also include data modelling, biostatistics, social sciences and other disciplines into our holistic approach for evidence-based species conservation. We conduct fundamental and applied research โ from the molecular to the landscape level โ in close dialogue with the public and stakeholders. Additionally, we are committed to unique and high-quality services for the scientific community.
Research DomainContact PersonJan Zwillingzwilling@izw-berlin.deHosting ConditionsThe IZW has a press office as a part of the science management team. There is a two-person team in the press office who the resident will be working with. There will be a desk/workplace available. The press team works in a flexible, mixed setting of on-site days and remote work. We are very open to adopt a scheme that is a perfect fit for both sides. It is possible to join the work of the scientists on many occasions, either in the offices and labs in Berlin or sometimes even when carrying out field work. The institute has a back entrance to the Tierpark Berlin, where cafeterias are available. There is no cafeteria on site. We do have a scientific library and offer technical equipment such as laptop, tablets, photo and video cameras, drones etc. to be used for communication work.
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Champalimaud Foundation
The Champalimaud Foundation (CF) was established in 2005 as a worldwide reference for scientific research and clinical practice. Located in a beautiful setting by the Tagus river in the city of Lisbon, Portugal, the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown (CCU) is a vibrant scientific and clinical institution where hundreds of national and international (+40 EU and non-EU nationalities) scientists, support staff, physicians, and other healthcare professionals work together to investigate fundamental biological processes and search for effective solutions to alleviate the burden of oncological and neurological diseases, while providing state-of-the-art care to patients.
Read MoreResearch, developed within the Champalimaud Research (CR) programmes, is primarily focused on the fields of neuroscience, cancer and physiology. More specifically, 31 groups are dedicated to fundamental and clinical research on topics that range from Brain-wide control of Behaviour and its impacts in Artificial Intelligence /Machine Learning, to the Immune System and the interaction between Neural and Immune Systems and Disease Progression. With a community of ~500 members distributed in two big open labs (somehow similar to big media newsrooms), with access to several technical and scientific facilities, the aspiration of CR is to help scientists reach their full creative potential and to promote collective achievements beyond those reachable by individual scientists or laboratory groups. The legacy of CR will not only be advances in scientific knowledge but advances in the scientific process itself.According to the latest European Research Council (ERC) dashboard, which comprehensively overviews ERC-funded projects, Portugal has secured funding for 165 projects since 2007 and CF leads the list of institutions in Portugal for ERC funding, both in terms of total number of grants and of overall funding. Most of our ERC grants are in Life Sciences but we also have secured grants in Social Sciences and Humanities and in Physical Sciences and Engineering.
Research DomainContact PersonCatarina Ramoscatarina.ramos@neuro.fchampalimaud.orgHosting ConditionsThis residency at the Champalimaud Foundation (CF) will be organised in such a way that the science journalist will be in direct contact with various Champalimaud Research scientists and members of the Communications, Events & Outreach team. During the residency period, the journalist will: 1) be included in the CR mailing list and so updated with all relevant news regarding the centre; 2) be able to visit specific facilities and observe research experiments (arranged with the principal investigator of the laboratory and/or head of the scientific facility/platform); 3) participate in seminars, workshops and regular work discussions; 4) have access to lectures, conferences and other events, including social and community building activities. The journalist will have a desk inside the Communications, Events & Outreach shared offices, and access to CF premises 24/7, including cafeteria, library, a tropical garden and a gym. The official working language at CF is English. Other details and specific necessities will be discussed directly with the interested journalist/s.
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Biology of Ageing
The Max-Planck-Institute for Biology of Ageing (MPI-AGE) aims to unravel the molecular, physiological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the ageing process. As we age, many of our body functions decline, often accompanied by the development of complex and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Our mission is to understand how we can intervene to mitigate or even prevent these age-related diseases and pave the way for a healthier ageing. Currently, much of the research at the institute focuses on three topics: the molecular genetics of ageing, the study of the ageing brain, and the role of mitochondria in ageing processes. In addition, research groups are investigating how DNA repair and nutrient sensing influence ageing.
Read MoreTo understand these processes, the institute currently conducts work on four different model organisms: worms, fruit flies, turquoise killifish and mice. The studies on model organisms are in the long term to be linked with comparative studies in humans. To this end, we are examining samples from patients in the clinic and conducting studies on long-lived families.
Host researcher Joris Deelen focuses on the identification of the genetic mechanisms underlying healthy ageing and extended lifespan in humans. Moreover, the Deelen group aims to establish novel human ageing studies in Cologne to identify and validate biomarkers of healthy ageing.Research DomainContact PersonMaren BerghoffMaren.Berghoff@age.mpg.deHosting ConditionsThe MPI-AGE fosters a conducive, collaborative, international and collegial environment, with 300 employees from over 35 countries. The fellow is allocated an individual desk within the office of the press and public outreach team. The press team works part-time and hybrid, offering support and resources as needed. The host researcher Joris Deelen and his team are mainly working on site at the institute. The working language is English. MPI offers amenities such as tea kitchens, a cafeteria (called Minerva's lounge) with employee discounts, meeting rooms and a social room, all accessible to the fellow. The fellow will of course be provided with our internal WiFi, through which they will also have access to the majority of scientific journals and publications. The institute is situated on the campus of the University Clinic Cologne, with cafรฉs, restaurants and supermarkets within walking distance. It will also be possible to pay a visit to the other research institutes on campus. During the settling-in period, the institute's International Office offers assistance with practical matters such as visa applications and accommodation arrangements. For temporary stays, the institute provides six guest apartments nearby. Each Friday, the MPI-Age holds seminars which offer researchers the opportunity to present their work, providing insight into diverse research areas. Moreover, throughout the year, several public events are held, serving as platforms for dialogue between the scientific community and the public. And to clear their heads for new ideas, the Institute's staff also organize social events such as the weekly beer hour, the carnival party and the summer party.
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Sustainability at the Frontier: Unveiling Nature’s Potential for Health and Food Innovations
Over 50% of the cork produced worldwide comes from Portugal. This material, used for products that range from wine stoppers to the isolation of spaceships, is at the heart of two ERC research grants developed at ITQB NOVA over the last years. The reason is that half of corkโs weight is made up of suberin, a plant polymer with remarkable antimicrobial, anti-biofouling and hydrophobic properties. Suberin can mimic natural processes and offer sustainable alternatives for combating fungal infections, as explored in the project MIMESIS โ โDevelopment of biomaterials through mimesis of plant defensive interfaces to fight wound infectionsโ, but also for encapsulation technologies in the food and drug industries, as investigated in SNAIL โ “High-performance hydrophobic suberin nanoparticles for the generation of liquid-air biphasic droplets with application in food and therapeutics”. Both projects were led by ERC Grantee Cristina Silva Pereira, head of the Applied and Environmental Mycology lab of ITQB NOVA.
ITQB NOVA is a scientific research and advanced training institute of NOVA University Lisbon. The institute is located in Oeiras, a seaside town with the highest GDP/capita and the most educated population in the country. The institution excels in Molecular Biosciences across diverse disciplines, contributing to societal challenges focused on the well-being of human societies and on the environment.
Read MoreThe vision for the ERC-funded MIMESIS project was to develop wound dressing biomaterials that combine antimicrobial and skin regeneration properties. The research team successfully developed a biocompatible extraction method that preserves the plant polyestersโ antimicrobial capabilities. Building on this success, the team secured an ERC Proof of Concept Grant in 2024, for potential applications in food and therapeutics. This new project, SNAIL, explores the potential of suberin in encapsulation technologies, envisioning a sustainable shield for functional ingredients, such as probiotics and proteins. By transforming plant polyesters into purposeful biomaterials, this work represents a shift away from energy-intensive synthetic production methods, focusing instead on โclosing the loopโ, supported by the principles of green chemistry and biorefinery.
During the residency, the science journalist is invited to discover this research, which is not only advancing scientific frontiers but also actively contributing to a more sustainable future by having a clear focus and commitment on the translation into tangible innovations. In addition to delving into the project’s intricacies, supported by ITQB NOVA’s cutting-edge facilities, including the largest Portuguese NMR facility, CERMAX, the science journalist will have the opportunity to experience all the intricacies atmosphere of scientific exploration. This encompasses the dynamic journey of discovery, comprising both highs and lows, where breakthroughs are not confined to “Eureka” moments.Research DomainContact PersonRenata Ramalhorenata.ramalho@itqb.unl.ptHosting ConditionsThe science journalist will be given credentials to access ITQB NOVA premises 24/7, including access to the cafeteria and canteen and other shared areas, such as the library. The journalist will have a dedicated desk and laptop computer with Wi-Fi access and will be able to use the instituteโs printers and other resources. ITQB NOVA has a Communication office who the science journalist can collaborate with at all times, creating mutual learning opportunities. The journalist is also welcome to participate in all relevant events open to the staff, including seminars, training and networking activities and to take part in social and cultural events. The Silva Pereira group comprises nearly twenty researchers, including postdoctoral researchers, PhD and MSc students, and undergraduates, each pursuing their specific projects, some of which align with the ERC grants. Together, they encompass a wide range of scientific expertise spanning from biology and biotechnology to materials chemistry, with varying levels of scientific maturity. They will be readily available to meet with the visiting journalist, sharing their perspectives on science and demonstrating that frontier science is inherently collaborative, requiring concerted and dedicated efforts to validate or falsify the hypotheses under study.
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Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB)
The Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB) was created 52 years ago and was the pioneer of Spanish research institutes within a University. The IBB is located on the campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and was previously known as the Institute of Fundamental Biology. In 2000, the Institute’s approach evolved towards a multidisciplinary and cooperative research in the area of biotechnological applications in biomedicine and consequently the name was changed. In addition, the strategic objectives of the entire unit were also reformulated, in favour of potentiating translational projects aimed at understanding the molecular bases of diseases and generating instruments, mainly drugs and vaccines, to fight them.
Read moreCurrently, the IBB hosts about 150 researchers, including tenured professors from the UAB, senior scientists, postdoctoral and doctoral fellows, master students and technicians. We host 17 research groups organized in 3 scientific programs that cover multiple scientific areas, but with a shared multidisciplinary character. This configuration allows a broad approach to biological problems and facilitates the transfer of scientific results towards the improvement of the well-being of our society. These three main research umbrella topics are: (1) Applied Proteomics and Protein Engineering, (2) Genomics in Evolution and Disease and (3) Response Mechanisms to Stress and Disease
The senior PIs of the IBB are Dr. Ventura, Villaverde, Ruiz-Herrera, Roig, Corchero, Ferrer, Ariรฑo, Pallarรจs, Barbadilla, Martรญ, Gibert, Reverter, Yero, Cerdร , Jaraquemada, JM. Lluch, Piรฑol, Quijada, Cรกceres, Daura, Lorenzo, Pividori, M. Lluch and Roher (Director of the IBB), offering experience in Bioinformatics, Cellular and Structural Biology, Genomics, Immunology, Microbiology, Synthetic Biology, Nanobiotechnology and Proteomics. Some areas in which our researchers work are within the fields of diagnostic tools and theragnostics, vaccine development, neurodegenerative disease detection and new treatments, immune disorders, cancer and targeted drug delivery, bacterial virulence and antibiotic resistances, biotherapeutics for several diseases, etc.Research DomainContact PersonMontserrat Solemontserrat.sole.castellvi@uab.catHosting ConditionsThe Journalist in residence will have access to all IBB premises, including laboratory facilities, shared equipment rooms, shared office and access to meeting rooms. He/she will be included in the mailing list of the institute so that he/she is updated with all relevant news regarding the institute and will be introduced to all researcherโs teams. The structure of the institute comprises the administrative officers, the researchers and research support staff and technicians. The current director, as well as the Evolutionary Immunology group leader, is Nerea Roher, who will be the host researcher. Also, the research promoter from IBB will be at the Journalist disposal bringing support in any matter related to science communication and institutional communication channels such as social media and webpage. Our institution provides remote work options and flexible working conditions. Additionally, the Journalist will have access to all UAB central facilities such as the Communication Cabinet or the Patent Office if needed. Also, the fact that IBB is placed within the UAB campus, provides an additional layer of community services and resources that satisfy most needs of the Instituteโs researchers. The collaboration with other Institutions of the so-called UAB Sphere, such as hospitals, CSIC institutes or CERCA Institutes provides additional opportunities in terms of access to other researchers and research outputs. In addition, the close vicinity with other research centres, university departments and companies foster the scientific community bonds, enables the creation of multidisciplinary projects and empowers innovation and technology transfer and that can be certainly interesting from a Journalistโs point of view. Besides that, the Journalist will have access to medical services from UAB campus, on-site GYM facilities at a reduced cost, accommodation opportunities, language services and proximity to a vast number of faculties offering a huge range of studies including journalism and communication to strengthen ties with our institution and seek future collaborations.
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Barcelona Institute for Global Health – ISGlobal
ISGlobal addresses key global health challenges related to infectious diseases, chronic non-communicable diseases, and environmental factors, including climate. We aim to go beyond state-of-the-art by strengthening research within and across our 5 research programmes and promoting innovation and collaboration on methodological issues through cross-faculty knowledge hubs.
The Global Viral and Bacterial Infections Programme aims to reduce the relevant viral and bacterial disease burden by generating knowledge that translates into novel tools and strategies for their prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. It has a multidisciplinary and translational research portfolio ranging from basic science to clinical, epidemiological, and public health-oriented research. It works at various steps of the prevention-treatment cascade for pathogens such as M. tuberculosis, non-tuberculous Mycobacteria, antimicrobial resistant bacteria, other bacteria of public health relevance (pneumococcus, group B streptococcus, etc.), CMV, HIV, arboviruses, and viral hepatitis.
Read moreThe Environment and Health over the Life-course programme conducts high-quality integrative research to expand knowledge on the causes and mechanisms of NCDs. The programme focuses on environmental, radiation, occupational, lifestyle, social, infectious, and genetic risk factors throughout life, from prenatal to late adulthood. Key topics include respiratory, immune, and cardiovascular health, neurodevelopment, and cancer.The Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health programme aims to strengthen evidence related to the health effects of climate change and exposures in urban and natural environments and to assess the health co-benefits of climate action. It focuses on factors such as temperature, noise, air pollution, and green spaces, and their effect on a spectrum of health outcomes, including premature mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory health, and cognitive function. Their main methods consist of the assessment of exposure and health impact, epidemiological modelling, and intervention evaluation, complemented by computational modelling of global climate variations, tipping points, and their impact on health.
The Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases programme aims to generate valuable knowledge and expand, through a multidisciplinary approach, the current scientific understanding of malaria, Chagas, and other neglected parasitic diseases (NPD) affecting humans, and their interactions with human and animal hosts and/or vectors.
The Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health programme aims to bridge the know-do gap and support the global efforts to ensure that all women and children, regardless of where they live or are born, have access to quality healthcare services. Its research focuses on developing and assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of maternal and reproductive health interventions through relevant clinical trials and implementation science.
Research DomainContact PersonBeatriz Fiestasbeatriz.fiestas@isglobal.orgHosting ConditionsISGlobal has two campuses in Barcelona -Campus Clรญnic and Campus Mar- and an office in Madrid. Campus Clinic includes wet labs in a separate building. Each campus is associated to a hospital and to a University (University of Barcelona for Campus Clinic, Universitat del Mar for Campus Mar). The University of Barcelona provides ISGlobal researchers access to its CRAI resource center, which includes a wide array of e-journals in different scientific fields. Our policy is to promote flexible working arrangements that allow staff members to organise their work schedule most efficiently and satisfactorily while meeting their objectives. We have a hybrid model of work in which telework is coordinated with on-site work. In the office, we use a shared-desk system in which you can reserve a table on any campus via the intranet. All tables have a screen and network connection. Each staff must have their personal keyboard and mouse, which they can keep in a locker at the end of the day. To communicate, we all use the Google Suit: Chat and Meet, which are currently all integrated into Gmail. The Frontiers fellow will have access to all our offices and services in both campuses. Upon arrival, we will provide her/him with an ISGlobal Gmail account and will connect her/him with the communications department and the host researchers.
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Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics
CRAG is a public research institution with the global mission of conducting excellent research in the fields of plant sciences and agricultural and farm animal genetics and genomics.
CRAG holds the โSevero Ochoa Centre of Excellence” award, the most prestigious programme of the Spanish Government to acknowledge excellence in research with international relevance.
Read moreThe research carried out at CRAG spans from basic research in plant and farm animal molecular biology, to applications of molecular approaches for breeding of species important for agriculture and food production in close collaboration with industry. Specific topics of frontier research include: genomics, plant development, plant responses to stress, plant synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, gene editing techniques, etc.Some scientific highlights reflecting the research conducted at CRAG are listed below:
– CRAG researchers identified a new microRNA from rice which originated from a transposable element and that regulates blast resistance by DNA methylation. Moreover, they have demonstrated that the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis confers protection to the blast fungus and makes rice plants more productive. The AM symbiosis represents an alternative to the use of fertilizers and pesticides.
– The attractive colors of many flowers and fruits result from the accumulation of health-promoting carotenoid pigments in specialized cellular structures called chromoplasts. A CRAGยดs teams found that chromoplasts can be artificially generated from leaf chloroplasts by using an enzyme that synthesizes the carotenoid precursor phytoene. This synthetic system allows to boost the carotenoid content of green vegetables and forage crops, hence improving their nutritional quality.
– Fruit ripening is a main target in crop breeding, having a major effect in fruit shelf life and fruit quality. Melon is an interesting model and the genetic dissection of the control of this trait may help to obtain long shelf life varieties and ultimately lead to a reduction in food loss and waste.
– CRAG researchers found that insertions of miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are frequently associated with phenotypic variability of important agronomic traits in rice. Using MITE insertions in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) can uncover new genotype-to-phenotype associations and allow for discovering the genetic basis of important trait variability.
– The development of new plant varieties is a very slow process. CRAG researchers showed that โdeep learningโ methods, inspired on how the human brain works, can help to improve prediction of new cultivars.
– Meat quality has an important genetic component. CRAG scientists have identified genomic regions and strong candidate genes associated with fatty acid composition in muscle and adipose tissue in pigs. These results are relevant for meat quality selection of commercial pig breeds.
Research DomainContact PersonMuriel Arimonmuriel.arimon@cragenomica.esHosting ConditionsThe science journalist will have a desk within the โCommunication and Open Scienceโ department (included in the โScience and Impact Areaโ at CRAG together with the โProjects and International Affairsโ and the โTransfer and Knowledgeโ departments), having the possibility to interact with their members and have their support to organize her/his stay. She/he will have access to CRAG premises during working hours and days (Mon-Fri). She/he will be able to have direct contact with all CRAG researchers according to her/his journalism project. She/he will be able to visit specific facilities, observe research experiments and attend all seminars and events organized by CRAG. Other details and specific necessities will be discussed directly with the interested journalist/s. CRAG provides an international work environment, where 80% of Career Track Fellows, 72% of Postdocs and 49% of PhD students are from an international origin. CRAGโs official and vehicular language is English.
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Universitรฉ Cote d’Azur
Universitรฉ Cรดte d’Azur, a world-class, research-intensive, multidisciplinary university, was awarded the prestigious โInitiatives of Excellenceโ certification label, which highlights the quality of its research and ensures that it has a high visibility international profile.
The university’s research strategy aims to create synergies between the research teams in order to explore new interdisciplinary areas while maintaining its level of excellence in academic fields. It is part of a coherent and ambitious site policy jointly developed with other players in the research, higher education and the socio-economic world. Furthemore, the research conducted at Universitรฉ Cรดte d’Azur aims to address major challenges in science and society. It covers a broad continuum of objectives, approaches and methodologies, from basic theoretical science to targeted research.
To that end, five Interdisciplinary Academies of Excellence were created to structure our frontier research projects:Academy 1 : Networks, Information and Digital Society
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Academy 2 : Complex Systems
Academy 3 : Space, Environment, Risk and Resilience
Academy 4 : Complexity and diversity of living systems
Academy 5 : Human societies, Ideas and EnvironmentsCurrently, we have the opportunity of welcoming over 20 ERCs on the site on very diverse disciplines : mathematics, archeology, astrophysics, seismology, cumputer science, biology. To support research Excellence, we created a specific program in partnership with the CNRS, Inria, the Observatoire de la Cote d’Azur, etc. called LEADEuRope. The program is dedicated to supporting the European dynamic of Excellence on the site.
Research DomainContact PersonSara-Anne Comelsara-anne.comel@univ-cotedazur.frHosting ConditionsScience journalists will benefit from the environment provided by the LEADEuRope program providing access to ERC holders. Furthemore, he/she will be welcomed through the Initiative of Excellence to facilitate his/her integration. Regarding space office, we will provide different options depending on the targeted projects identified by the journalist.
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BC3 – Basque Centre for Climate Change
The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) is an international and multidisciplinary research institute based in the Basque Country. Since its foundation in 2008 by the Basque Government and the University of the Basque Country, BC3 belongs to the Basque Research Centres of Excellence (BERC) program.
With 120+ employees from various fields of knowledge, BC3 is a consolidated centre dedicated to the co-production of relevant knowledge for decision-making, integrating the environmental, socioeconomic and ethical dimensions of climate change. By following a transdisciplinary and participatory approach, BC3 contributes to the testing and demonstration of scalable solutions for sustainable development in collaboration with 40 international organisations and research centres in more than 20 countries. BC3 has excellent results in attracting talent (3 ERCs and 5 individual MSCAs) and securing research projects (22 European projects). Thanks to our people and partners, those who make it possible for us to achieve our goals and allow us to see ourselves as an organization unrestricted by our physical boundaries.
Read moreSince BC3โs creation, we have sought to be a cutting-edge and motivating centre from which researchers can continue co-creating scientific knowledge, tools and methodologies on the causes and effects of climate change and contributing to solving the most pressing challenge modern humans have ever faced. Transdisciplinary research integrates knowledge through active collaboration across academic disciplines and with non-academic stakeholders.Being a transdisciplinary researcher implies more than raising awareness through scientific evidence, it is a unique approach to engaging with different ways of knowing the world and generating new knowledge to address societal challenges. Transdisciplinarity moves us to understand the world in which we live and to find suitable and fair solutions. It brought us together to co-design and implement policies leading to sustainable development.
Research DomainContact PersonAmelia Ochoaamelia.ochoa@bc3research.orgHosting ConditionsThe selected science journalist in residence will have their desk. BC3 has a communication team formed by one communication manager and two communication officers who will be at the disposal of the selected candidate. Although BC3 currently offers hybrid work, from June on this year it is expected for all employees to work four days per week in the office and one day per week remotely. BC3 reception is open from Monday to Friday from 9 AM until 5 PM. However, the selected candidate will be given a card to access the centre premises outside this timetable. The selected science journalist will be given access as well to BC3's library, server and all the centre's online and offline scientific resources to make the best of their experience.
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From Planet Earth to the Infinite Universe @ Ciรชncias ULisboa
โWhat we do not know today, we will know tomorrowโ (Garcia de Orta, 1563). This is the motto that guides Ciรชncias ULisboa, the 2nd largest School of the University of Lisbon, with + 5600 students (BSc, MSc, PhD) and +500 Professors & researchers.
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With +1200 international scientific articles/year, it is the ULisboa School with the highest scientific productivity per capita, raising approximately โฌ40M/year to R&D projects. More than 90% of its R&D Units are evaluated as Excellent or Very Good by FCT. Its 10 Departments and 19 R&D Units conduct cutting-edge research addressing scientific challenges spanning from life to earth sciences, from physical and chemical to computer and mathematical sciences, from engineering to history and philosophy of sciences.
Ciรชncias proudly hosts twelve European grants: five Marie Curies, and seven ERC grantees (4 Starting, 2 Consolidator, 1 Advanced) โ of which five are currently undergoing:Sustainable, equitable & climate-smart marine spatial planning processes in Antarctica and beyond: Catarina Frazรฃo Santos, ERC StG 2023, PLAnT, Planning the Sustainable Use of the Ocean in Antarctica in a context of Global Environmental Change.How do interactions between species affect an ecosystemโs ability to recover after external disturbances? Inรชs Fragata, ERC StG 2022, DYNAMICTRIO, Feedback between population dynamics and evolution of interactions in a tri-trophic system.
How hard is it to find a good algorithm for a given computational problem? Bruno Loff, ERC StG 2022, HoFGA, The Hardness of Finding Good Algorithms.
Coral reefs: can we predict biodiversity changes in time and space? What are the consequences of these changes to their ecosystem functions? Maria Dornelas, ERC CoG 2021, coralINT, Integrated Niche Theory: linking environmental, compositional and functional change on coral reefs.
How did navigators of 16th and 17th centuries experience Earth observation? Henrique Leitรฃo, ERC AdvG 2018, RUTTER, Making the Earth Global: Early Modern Nautical Rutters and the Construction of a Global Concept of the Earth.
From unearthing mysteries on our planet (Largest dinosaur skleleton in Europe might have been found in Portugal) to exploring the Universe (Portugal participates in the development of a first-class instrument for the largest telescope in the world), from the latest challenges in computer science (First open AI language model for Portuguese now available) to tackling global issues (Climate change can put the planetโs largest reserves of drinking water at risk): everyday, we challenge the limits of science and technology at Ciรชncias ULisboa.
We aim to build bridges with society, through innovation (Filipa Rocha named finalist for the 2023 Young Inventors Award) and entrepreneurship: TecLabs, our innovation center, aggregates +29 incubated companies (e.g. R_Nuucell, a spin-off studying a potential breast cancer drug, wins Women TechEU grant).
Learn more about our vision through our institutional video.
Find out more about our research:
– PLAnT
– HoFGA
– coralINT
– RUTTER
– Largest dinosaur skleleton in Europe might have been found in Portugal
– Portugal participates in the development of a first-class instrument for the largest telescope in the world
– First open AI language model for Portuguese now available
– Climate change can put the planetโs largest reserves of drinking water at risk
– Filipa Rocha named finalist for the 2023 Young Inventors Award
– TecLabs
– R_Nuucell, a spin-off studying a potential breast cancer drug, wins Women TechEU grant
– Climate extremes such as intense and prolonged droughts and intense heat waves
– Natural disasters induced by major extreme climatic and meteorological events (…)
– (…) and its impact on ecosystems (…)
– (…) precious resources for humankind
– Sustainability Living Lab
– Analyzing sustainable mobility
– Ecological monitoring of sources of renewable energy https://youtu.be/2_MA3CujocU?feature=shared
– Searching the Universe for exoplanets (…)
– (…) and massive black holes
– First-class instruments for the largest telescopes in the world
– Name of one of our astrophysicists even shines in the night sky
– Development of tangible tools to promote digital learning for visually impaired children
– Mapping of the biodiversity that exists on green roofs and facades in cities
– Role of cleaning fishes in conserving biodiversity distinguished with FLAD Science Award Atlantic 2023
– Several of our researchers among the worldโs top 2% scientists
– Herdade da Ribeira Abaixo
– Community of Science Communicators
Research DomainContact PersonMarta Daniela Santosmddsantos@fc.ul.ptHosting ConditionsYou will be able to experience and explore first-hand a community of scientists of all fields that are growing together, sharing ideas and talent. You will have a desk in a shared office, immersed in the Communication and Image Unit of Ciรชncias ULisboa (currently eight professionals), while maintaining total independence. The Communication and Image Unit can support you in contacts with Ciรชncias ULisboa researchers that you might need during your residence. Ciรชncias ULisboa has a privileged location in the heart of Lisbon, being easily accessible by bus, subway, car, or bicycle. Beyond the +300 teaching and research labs on campus, you will also have the opportunity to visit our research infrastructures beyond campus: e.g. our Field Station which is a living lab (Herdade da Ribeira Abaixo) and Guia Marine Laboratory. The Faculty has a diverse offer of canteens and bars throughout the campus, to which you will have access in equal terms as Ciรชncias staff. The same applies to the activities provided by the Lisbon University Stadium, which includes a swimming pool complex, large sports fields, and a fitness academy. Sharing science with society is already a priority present in Ciรชncias ULisboa activities, which is implemented, for example, in the activities organized by its Community of Science Communicators. Since November 2019, this work group has organized over 13 informal meetings and 8 training sessions, involving 35 invited speakers and >800 participants in total. We would be glad to welcome you to share your expertise in seminars and roundtables exploring the differences between science communication and science journalism and how can scientists and journalists better communicate and work together. Come join us!
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Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madridย
The Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM), belonging to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), is a world-renowned research institution committed to performing synergetic research at the cutting edge of knowledge for addressing urgent societal challenges for which having new advanced materials are essential. With over 110 staff researchers and more than 80 Ph.D. students, postdocs and tenure track investigators, ICMM is a leading center in the field of materials science and nanotechnology.
Read MoreResearchers are organized in research groups that cover from fundamental research to technological applications, aligned with three main interdisciplinary research lines related to the important social challenges included in the 2030 agenda: Materials for digital information, materials for a sustainable world and materials for health. The large number of scientists belonging to ICMM allows us to face synergetic problems, sharing cutting-edge instrumentation and expertise.
Situated within the “UAM+CSIC International Excellence Campus”, ICMM maintains a robust partnership with the “Universidad Autรณnoma de Madrid (UAM)”, fostering knowledge exchange and shared scientific resources. Our institute also establishes global collaborations with numerous universities and research centers, cultivating an atmosphere of dynamic scientific interchange and teamwork. We are deeply committed to internationalizing research, welcoming senior researchers, postdocs, and predoctoral visitors from around the world.We place great emphasis on gender equality and ethical conduct in science. We promote an inclusive culture offering equal opportunities at all ranks, vigilantly mitigating any inappropriate gender-related behaviors. We encourage work-life balance, organize activities that advance ethical practices in scientific research, and diligently safeguard against any research misconduct, such as data falsification, improper authorship attribution, or inadequate data sharing. At ICMM, we not only pioneer scientific advancements but also uphold the highest standards of professional ethics and inclusivity.
List of research lines:
Materials for a Sustainable World: Materials for Energy and Materials for Environmental Remediation and Green Processes
Materials for Health: Nanoplatforms for Therapy and Diagnosis and Technologies and Instrumentation for Nanomedicine
Materials for Digital Information: Materials for Advanced Electronics and Photonics and Quantum Materials and Technologies
Research DomainContact Personรngela Rodrรญguez Bonacheraangela.bonachera@csic.esHosting ConditionsICMM-CSIC is located on the Campus of the Autonoma University of Madrid, with natural areas in the surroundings. The journalist will have an individual desk in a common room with the Administrative Services and the Communication Office. The work mode is hybrid. He/she will have a computer and access to the institution's Wi-Fi, ensuring optimal conditions for daily tasks. Additionally, he/she will have unrestricted access to an important number of scientific online articles and other online resources. During the residency, the journalist will work alongside รngela R. Bonachera, led by the Communication Office of the ICMM-CSIC. He/she will also be able to access to in-house events (seminars, lectures, etc.) and social events or activities. We will provide the visiting fellow access to our researchers, enable visits to the research facilities such as archives and libraries, and dedicate the necessary time to explain the research procedures.
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Bioengineering for the future of medicine
Established in 2005, the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is a leading-edge multidisciplinary research centre in Barcelona. It conducts excellent interdisciplinary research at the frontiers of basic and life sciences linked with engineering to generate new knowledge and applications by putting together biophysics, cell engineering, nanomedicine, biomaterials, tissue engineering and the applications of information technology to health.โResearchers at IBEC participate in innovative work in areas such as bioelectronics, regenerative medicine, and biomechanics, seeking innovative solutions to improve healthcare and quality of life.The institute promotes a collaborative environment, encouraging scientists to explore new ideas and collaborate across disciplines.
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โThis new knowledge has been applied during the last years to the advanced technological challenges (ATCs) such as biofabrication for tailored advanced therapies and regeneration and bioengineered living systems, as well as to the advanced societal health challenges (SHCs) such as bioengineering for cancer diagnosis and prognosis; bioengineering for healthy ageing; bioengineering for rare diseases treatments; and bioengineering against COVID-19, added due to the pandemic outbreak. IBEC has gained global recognition with impactful publications and projects.IBEC’s 2024-2027 scientific program focuses on 5 breakthrough scientific-technological areas to develop knowledge and technologies to answer fundamental biological questions and facilitate the uptake of Precision Medicine, Advanced and Emergent therapies and address Global Health and Pandemics. Our vision is conducting pioneering, high-impact basic and applied research addressing unmet biomedical needs through interdisciplinary bioengineering innovations. Our methodology involves fundamental, multi-disciplinary investigations to understand biological systems quantitatively from molecule, cell, tissue, organ to system levels to develop devices, therapies, and protocols leading to better diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of human diseases and improving quality of life.
โIBEC’s 5 Breakthrough Focus Areas:
โ1-New information and data with advanced microscopy, imaging and biological โmapping-G.Gomila,P. Gorostiza,G. Battaglia,I.Marco-Rius,B.Bolognesi,X. Rovira
โ2-Engineering of molecular systems based on biological self-assembling, synthetic โbiology and nanomedicine for advanced therapeutic systems-S.Sรกnchez, S. Muro, โE.Torrents, X.Fernรกndez-Busquets,C. Rodrรญguez-Emmenegger
โ3-Physical forces in Biology: tissue, cell and molecular mechanobiology-X.Trepat, P.โRoca-Cusachs, M.Salmerรณn-Sรกnchez
โ4-Preserving, regenerating and fabricating human organs and tissues: Biomodels and โtissue engineering-E. Martรญnez,E.Engel, N.Montserrat, J.A. del Rรญo, Z. รlvarez
โ5-Ubiquitous sensors, engineered living sensors and smart data analysis: โBioelectronic and biomedical signal processing-J. Samitier, J. Ramรณn, R. Janรฉ, S. โMarco
โResearch DomainContact PersonโPilar โJimรฉnez Sรกnchezโibeccommunications@ibecbarcelona.euHosting ConditionsThe journalist will be provided with an individual desk, a computer, and access to the institution's Wi-Fi, ensuring optimal conditions for daily tasks. Additionally, he/she will have unrestricted access to an important number of scientific online articles and other online resources. During the residency, our science journalists will be supported and mentored by one member of the department of Strategic Initiatives and the Communications and Public Relations Units.
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Frontiers of Infectious Diseasesย
The profound impact of infectious diseases on society, notably underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic, accentuates the imperative for in-depth research to comprehend the intricate dynamics of infectious agents. This includes understanding their modes of transmission, the factors within hosts that influence disease outcomes, and the identification of effective intervention strategies. The urgency of this research has been particularly evident during the pandemic, highlighting the pivotal role of scientific investigation in addressing global health challenges.
The Infectious Diseases Research Program at CIC bioGUNE stands as a vanguard in scientific exploration, pioneering an initiative committed to unraveling the complex and dynamic molecular foundations of infectious diseases.
Read moreThe profound impact of infectious diseases on society, notably underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic, accentuates the imperative for in-depth research to comprehend the intricate dynamics of infectious agents. This includes understanding their modes of transmission, the factors within hosts that influence disease outcomes, and the identification of effective intervention strategies. The urgency of this research has been particularly evident during the pandemic, highlighting the pivotal role of scientific investigation in addressing global health challenges.The Infectious Diseases Research Program at CIC bioGUNE stands as a vanguard in scientific exploration, pioneering an initiative committed to unraveling the complex and dynamic molecular foundations of infectious diseases.
Research DomainContact PersonJana Sendra Viscarrojsendra@cicbiogune.esHosting ConditionsIndividual offices/desks equipped with internet connectivity will be provided. The host institution features a dedicated press office, where the team collaborates in a shared workspace, although a hybrid work option is also available. Access to the premises is granted 24/7, and individuals will be provided access to amenities such as the cafeteria, library, online resources, and more.
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Molecular Frontiers of Cancer
Cancer, a complex group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, poses a formidable challenge worldwide. Its impact on society is profound, affecting millions of lives and presenting a substantial burden on healthcare systems. The need for comprehensive research to unravel the intricacies of cancer biology and develop advanced strategies for diagnosis and treatment has never been more crucial.
The Cancer Research Program at CIC bioGUNE is a multidimensional exploration focused on unraveling the complexities of cancer, specifically targeting Prostate, Breast, Colorectal, and Liver cancers.ย
Read MoreThis program encompasses several crucial research areas:โข Molecular Basis of Cancer Progression: Investigating the molecular signatures and signaling pathways that drive the progression of Prostate, Breast, Colorectal, and Liver cancers. Our goal is to identify potential targets for precision medicine and advance the development of tailored therapeutic interventions.
โข Precision Medicine in Cancer Treatment: Applying precision medicine approaches to develop targeted therapies for different cancer types. This includes deciphering the genetic and molecular variations that contribute to cancer heterogeneity and tailoring treatments accordingly.
โข Biomarker Discovery for Diagnostic Advancements: Identifying and validating biomarkers that enhance cancer diagnostics and prognostics. Through advanced molecular profiling and bioinformatics analyses, we aim to contribute to the development of reliable biomarkers for various cancer types.
Research DomainContact PersonJana Sendra Viscarrojsendra@cicbiogune.esHosting ConditionsIndividual offices/desks equipped with internet connectivity will be provided. The host institution features a dedicated press office, where the team collaborates in a shared workspace, although a hybrid work option is also available. Access to the premises is granted 24/7, and individuals will be provided access to amenities such as the cafeteria, library, online resources, and more.
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Molecular Perspectives of Rare Diseases
Rare diseases, often referred to as orphan diseases, encompass a broad spectrum of disorders that collectively affect a relatively small number of individuals within a population. These diseases are characterized by their low prevalence, typically afflicting fewer than 1 in 2,000 people. Despite their individual rarity, the cumulative impact of rare diseases is substantial, with estimates suggesting that there are thousands of distinct rare diseases, collectively affecting millions of people worldwide.
Many rare diseases are chronic, debilitating, and life-threatening, often manifesting early in life. Due to their complex and often unpredictable nature, these diseases can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and their caregivers. Moreover, the lack of effective treatments exacerbates the challenges faced by individuals living with rare diseases.
Read MoreThe importance of research dedicated to rare diseases lies in its potential to unravel the underlying molecular mechanisms, genetic factors, and cellular processes driving these conditions. Investigating genetic mutations associated with rare diseases provides crucial insights into the fundamental aspects of human biology and the consequences of genetic abnormalities. Understanding the molecular basis of disease progression is essential for developing targeted therapies that can alter the course of the disease, improving the quality of life for affected individuals.The impact of rare diseases research extends beyond the laboratory, directly influencing clinical practice, healthcare policies, and societal perceptions. By identifying potential therapeutic targets, researchers contribute to the development of novel treatment approaches and pave the way for precision medicine tailored to the unique genetic and molecular profiles of individuals with rare diseases. Additionally, advancements in rare diseases research contribute to the broader understanding of biological processes, benefiting the entire field of medicine.
The Rare Diseases Research Program at CIC bioGUNE plays a pivotal role in addressing the challenges posed by rare diseases. By exploring the intricate molecular pathways, genetic factors, and cellular mechanisms associated with rare diseases, the program contributes not only to scientific knowledge but also to the development of innovative diagnostic methods and targeted therapeutic strategies. The societal impact of this research is substantial, offering hope and improved outcomes for individuals grappling with rare diseases and their families.
Research DomainContact PersonJana Sendra Viscarrojsendra@cicbiogune.esHosting ConditionsIndividual offices/desks equipped with internet connectivity will be provided. The host institution features a dedicated press office, where the team collaborates in a shared workspace, although a hybrid work option is also available. Access to the premises is granted 24/7, and individuals will be provided access to amenities such as the cafeteria, library, online resources, and more.
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Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies
The mission of the Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies (AIAS) is to advance the highest quality research at Aarhus University (AU) by attracting talented, highly qualified fellows worldwide and within all disciplines. Fellows are provided ideal opportunities to further develop their research in short to long fellowship periods by ensuring fellowsโ participation in various kinds of collaboration and exchange with researchers, research groups and advanced students at AU and abroad. The primary criterion for selection of fellows is excellence and not research topic. Therefore, fellows represent a broad scope of academic disciplines and are hereby contributing to the multidisciplinary setting of the Institute. Fellows are encouraged to engage with each other and with local researchers. We strive for diversity in all ways, and host fellows and researchers from all disciplines and nationalities.
Research DomainContact PersonLotte Holmlho@aias.au.dkHosting ConditionsWe will provide incoming science journalists with an office space in the AIAS building, situated inside the Aarhus university campus. Science journalists will be included in the daily activities of the house; seminars, workshops, lunches etc. Science journalists will also have access to library facilities and administrative assistance from the AIAS staff. AIAS will assist science journalists in making contact with relevant researchers at the university and other potential collaborators of interest in Denmark. AIAS has a collaboration with the Erasmus Mundus journalism programme, hosted at AU https://mundusjournalism.com.
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CEITEC Masaryk University
Harnessing knowledge of plant biology for crop improvement, infectious diseases; RNA/nucleic acids in health and disease; correlative approaches to connect dynamics and structure of living systems; cancer biology; and brain disorders.
Research DomainContact PersonHalina Jรญlkovรกhalina.jilkova@ceitec.muni.czHosting ConditionsThe FRONTIERS fellow will have his/her own desk and a support from a communications lead of the institute who will be able to introduce him/her to other relevant partners in the city of Brno which has a vibrant innovation ecosystem called #brnoregion (see: https://brnoregion.com/cs-en/). The CEITEC Masaryk University communication team works in the office and there will always be someone available to help.
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ERC@UC Science Journalism Initiative
Research Projects at UC:
- Dulce Freire, Rural History, Starting Grant (StG), SH3, ERC-2017-STG, ReSEED, Rescuing seedsโ heritage: engaging in a new framework of agriculture and innovation since the 18th century. Hosting conditions: Image/ video journalist for 5 months in early 2024;
- Jorge Almeida, Cognitive Neurosciences, Starting Grant (StG), SH4, ERC-2018-STG, ContentMAP, Contentotopic mapping: the topographical organization of object knowledge in the brain. Hosting conditions: 1st semester of 2024;
- Bรกrbara Gomes, End of life care, Starting Grant (StG), SH3, ERC-2020-STG, EOLinPLACE, Choice of where we die: a classification reform to discern diversity in individual end-of-life pathways. Hosting conditions: Oct 2024 – Feb 2025 would be good for us but can also consider other later dates.
- Leona Polyanskaya, Multilingualism, Starting Grant (StG), SH4, ERC-2021-STG, TypoMetaLing, Effect of linguistic experience on metacognition in language tasks and transfer to non-linguistic behaviour. Hosting conditions: April-June 2024 or September-December 2024.
Research DomainContact PersonJoรฃo Ramalho-Santosnae@uc.ptHosting ConditionsScience journalists in residence will be given an individual office and desk according to need, preferably in the specific ERC lab. ERC labs at UC have a research manager / dissemination and communication officer to act as point of contact, but availability and expertise will depend of the specific project. Early on and whenever needed, the Vice-rectory for Research at the UC and team that supports the ERC@UC initiative will liaison with our Division of communication. Journalists will be given the status of UC external collaborator for access to facilities and resources, which includes all libraries at UC.
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Group of Lasers and Plasmas (GoLP)
The Group of Lasers and Plasmas (GoLP) at Tรฉcnico explores the behavior of matter at the most extreme conditions in the Universe, from black holes and neutron stars to the focii of the most intense lasers or particle accelerators on Earth. In a unique combination of theory, experiments and numerical simulations, the three modern pillars of the scientific method, the group has a longstanding commitment with research in frontier questions in its field, grounded on a culture of entrepreneurship, creativity, and international collaboration, seeking and promoting outstanding scientific quality of its members, and has repeatedly proven its commitment to the scientific and technological development of Portugal and Europe. The Groupโs aim is to be recognized as one of the best research groups in our field through the reputation of our researchers, the quality of our students, and the successes of our alumni.
Read moreIn its vision, GoLP assumes a leading role in its scientific fields, constitutes a central hub for new ideas and approaches, exciting discoveries and developments; is a magnet for outstanding students, post-docs and researchers; provides an exciting research environment similar to the best; sustains its scientific breakthroughs through a unique interplay between theory, simulation and experiments.
The group addresses theory and simulations of the highly nonlinear and complex phenomena associated with plasmas in extreme conditions, resorting to the fastest supercomputers in the World, and experimental and technological exploration of the next generation of intense radiation sources driven by ultra intense lasers, with experiments on lasers at IST and worldwide. The research questions are closely connected with the Nobel Prizes in Physics of 2018 and 2023. At GoLP there are two ERC grant recipients (Luรญs Oliveira e Silva, ERC advanced grants in 2010 and 2016, and Frederico Fiรบza, ERC consolidator grant in 2022), as well as one recipient of European Innovation Council program in 2021 (Marta Fajardo).
For this project, it is expected that the Journalist in Residence will be strongly immersed in the theory and simulation efforts, hosted by Luรญs Oliveira e Silva, although he/she will have complete freedom to get to know in depth all scientists in the whole group, depending on the project that will be developed. The connection with the theory and simulation team will provide access to unique media resources resulting from the simulation work and also to collaborators worldwide e.g. UCLA, Oxford, and CERN.
Research DomainContact PersonLuรญs Oliveira e Silvajoanala@tecnico.ulisboa.ptHosting ConditionsAs hosting institution, Instituto Superior Tรฉcnico is committed to provide: 1. Immersion on a vibrant community of more than 1000 Faculty members and staff members, more than 12000 students, covering all fields of engineering, math, physics, and architecture; 2. Badge or other forms of credentials granting access to the relevant premises; 3. Access to all cafeteria/canteen and other shared areas under the same condition as research staff; 4. Access to the institutionโs library and electronic resources (such as books, scientific journals and databases); 5. Access to all events and activities organized for the institutionโs staff. 6. Access to free shuttle service to Oeiras Campus, under the same condition as research staff; 7. Access to community bicycles and locks free of charge 8. Access to computer support service and software free of charge 9. Access to Instituto Superior Tรฉcnico Health Services, under the same condition as research staff; 10. Access to protocols and agreements with numerous private service providers, under the same condition as research staff; 11. Access to daycare center (upon availability), under the same condition as research staff; In addition, Group of Lasers and Plasmas/Extreme Plasma Physics group, also provides 1. A working space 24/7, with a computer and a laptop with access to wi-fi, and wired fast network connections;; 2. Access to computing resources to perform video/sound/content capture and editing;; 3. Access to the media library (movies, virtual reality models, still images) of science results of the group.
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Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
We are a public university, founded on 6 August 1868 as Scuola Superiore di Commercio. We have reached a high national and international standing with the quality of our research and teaching, which reaches across countries and disciplines. Our university community includes over 23.000 students and 1.400 faculty and staff from all over the world. The main campus is in a large Gothic palace in the heart of Venice, overlooking the Grand Canal, and other venues are spread across the historic centre of Venice, plus Mestre and Treviso.
We contribute to scientific progress through excellent research that addresses global challenges and has an impact across disciplines. We promote frontier research with the active application of the hard sciences and digital sciences to the centuries-old tradition rooted in the social sciences, humanities, and economics. We are among the top institutions in Europe for the number of Marie Curie fellowships funded by the EU, and first in Italy for European Research Council (ERC) funding. For the quality of their scientific projects, four departments have been acknowledged by MIUR (Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research) as “Departments of Excellence”.
Research DomainContact PersonEnrico Costaenrico.costa@unive.itHosting ConditionsThe Media Relations office is available to discuss directly with interested journalists about the research projects, the available researchers, working conditions and resources.
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Biocultural Diversity Lab
The Biocultural Diversity Lab focuses on the Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK), a set of knowledge related to the environment, shared within communities in a specific place. The Biocultural Diversity Lab research has a specific focus on ethnobotany and ethnobiology. The Biocultural Diversity Lab was born during the implementation of the ERC project ‘Divided Generations’ (ERC-StG-2016 DiGe), which carried out research on the medicinal and food uses of plants among different ethnic groups in Eastern and Northern Europe divided during creation or following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, examining the impact of sources, medicine, education, and laws governing their use.
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The focal points of the permanent activities of the Biocultural Diversity Lab are the evolution of knowledge based on the relationships between humans and the environment, both today and in past centuries, through various qualitative and quantitative methods. The application of the results of the research of the Biocultural Diversity Lab is education, the development of local products, participatory conservation strategies, and policy suggestions.We invite the candidates to participate in our three main research projects that will be covered in 2024:
a) DiGe has clearly demonstrated the devastating effect of Russian occupation on the LEK of the studied traditional societies/minor ethnic groups. We detected erosion, homogenization and standardization of the knowledge within state borders and cross-border differences in knowledge transmission. We will continue studying the medicinal plant use in the researched area, looking for common patterns and the effects of literature and the official Soviet medical system on local ethnomedicine.
b) The research on the people-nature relations in migration concentrates on the historical Italian migrants to Brazil, exploring the specific plant species that were brought, adapted, or learnt from the local environments, the techniques used for cultivation, and the cultural and social factors that influenced these practices. The ultimate goal of the research is to identify best practices for bicultural conservation considering the local identities and to inform policy and decision-making in this area.
c) Fishery practices of Laguna di Venezia in Italy and Laguna di Bay in the Philippines are studied from the perspective of the local fishers, involving them as experts in identifying the drivers of changes (both climate and anthropogenic) and searching for sustainable and community-friendly solutions.
Research DomainContact PersonRenata Soukandrenata.soukand@unive.itHosting ConditionsThe science journalist in residence will have an individual desk in an open working space, full access to the premises in working hours, access to the cafeteria, library and online resources. Ca' Foscari's Media Relations Office staff is available to support the journalist during the residency. The BCD Lab team works mainly in the office, except in the season of fieldwork (mainly summer). Depending on the interest of the journalist participation in various fieldwork could also be possible. The main working language in the BCD Lab is English, yet other options can be discussed. The journalist is also invited, if willing, to participate in seminars and regular work discussions, explore the herbarium collections and interact with numerous degree-seeking students of BCD Lab.
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Dipolar Quantum Gases
Our group studies dipolar quantum gases made of Erbium (Er) and Dysprosium (Dy) atoms. These extraordinarily magnetic species are a powerful new resource for reaching quantum simulation with strong connectivity, in which each atom is coupled to the other over long distances, and exploring exotic phases of matter that have no classical counterpart.
We have three labs: the ERBIUM LAB, where Er was Bose condensed for the first time ever, the Er-Dy LAB which studies quantum dipolar mixtures under a quantum-gas microscope, and the T-Reqs LAB, where we trap Er atoms in arrays of optical tweezers for Rydberg physics. Recently, we have established a theoretical subdivision aimed at studying and predicting dipolar phenomena in dipolar quantum gases and mixtures.
Research DomainContact PersonSilvia BonazzaFrancesca-Ferlaino-Group@uibk.ac.atHosting Conditionsworking place (equipped with laptop) share with up to 3 persons. Working in the office (no home office). Access to the premises 24/7, working hours previously agreed with project leader. Our university has a central press office located in the city centre that interacts with our group for the preparation of press releases. Our group is based on the technical campus where our laboratories are located. The campus is well served by public transport and easily accessible from the city centre.
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Italian Institute of Technology
IITโs headquarters are in Genoa, constantly linked to its Centres in Italy and two outstations based in the USA. The journalistโs residency may be located in Genoa, where the majority of IITโs researchers have their labs, or in the network Centers sites: Milano, Torino, Venezia, Rovereto, Ferrara, Pisa, Napoli, Roma, Lecce. The IIT staff comprises more than 1,900 people from about 70 countries, with an average age of 35.
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Currently, IIT is conducting the 2018-2023 scientific plan developing four strategic research domains: Robotics, Nanomaterials, Technologies for Life Science, and Computational Sciences. In 2024 a new scientific plan will be launched with an additional focus on Artificial Intelligence. The main goal is to produce technologies that will have a positive impact on some important societal challenges, such as sustainability and the environment, healthcare and aging society.Among the most advanced research results at IIT, there is the first edible and rechargeable battery, the robots iCub, ErgoCub, Alterego, Centauro and HyQ, the soft robots Plantoid and iSeed, the new smart materials obtained by food waste, and 34 start-up companies.
IIT is an example of multidisciplinarity, which is one of the most significant characteristics of current scientific research and, also, the great variety of topics that a science journalist is expected to handle in his/her work. IIT is an ideal venue for science journalists who wish to discover and experience a heterogeneous and international scientific environment, ranging from biology to robotics, from new materials to neuroscience, from basic science to technology transfer.Research DomainContact PersonValeria delle Cavevaleria.dellecave@iit.itHosting ConditionsThe journalistโs residency will be organized in such a way that the science journalist will be in direct contact with various researchers according to her/his journalism project. She/he will be able to visit specific facilities and observe research experiments (only if permitted by IIT safety regulations). She/he will have a desk within the Communication and External Relations Directorate office, having the possibility to interact with the IITโs press officers and have their support to organize her/his stay. She/he will have access to IIT premises, cafeteria and restaurant during working hours and days (Mon-Fri). Other details and specific necessities will be discussed directly with the interested journalist/s.
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Fishing Architecture. The Ecological Continuum between Buildings and Fish Species
The shores of the North Atlantic house diverse architectural cultures and its waters are home to a wealth of fish species. The industrialisation of fisheries in the early 19th century and the globalisation of the industry at the end of the 20th century impacted the areaโs fishing architecture. The project will assess the ecological impact of fishing constructions and the natural resources they depend upon. Specifically, it will advance our understanding of the ecological impact of human activity. The project will focus on marine ecosystems, fishing technology, food processing, politics, and consumption habits in order to offer a new perspective on construction, in which fishing landscapes bring together land and sea.
Research DomainContact PersonAndre Tavaresandre@dafne.ptHosting ConditionsOur team works at the Pink House, a dependence of the architecture school designed by the renowned architect รlvaro Siza. The team works both in the office and remote. Journalists in residence will be offered a shared office and an individual desk, there is access to cafeteria, library, online resources and garden. The architectural school has one press officer.