Strategic planning and management of Synthesis towards actionable knowledge
Description
This service has two aims: a) conceptualises and oversees standardised and strategically planned synthesis tasks to produce the following knowledge products and services. This includes the gathering and processing of all Standard Observations (SO) in the area of Socio-Ecology that are not digitally extractable from existing statistics/data using dedicated stakeholder surveys. And b) to scan and anticipate larger European/global research and transformation agendas (e.g. The International Year of Biodiversity etc.) and strategies (Soil Strategy 2030, Biodiversity Strategy 2030) and link them to eLTER activities and developments.
Key features
- Conceptualises and oversees standardised and strategically planned synthesis tasks to produce knowledge products.
- Gathering and processing of all Standard Observations (SO) in the area of socio-ecology that are not digitally extractable from existing statistics/data.
- Creation and annually updating of a portfolio addressing standardised themes (thematic areas).
- Planning and definition of hot topics for specified periods (e.g. one year), which link eLTER activities to larger European/global research and transformation agendas (e.g. The International Year of Biodiversity etc.) and strategies (Soil Strategy 2030, Biodiversity Strategy 2030).
SK related Info Collection from national Networks
Description
The service collects and integrates information from national network Coordinators, Sites, and Platforms regarding local sustainability and governance issues, as well as research demands. It synthesizes these inputs into actionable knowledge products and services, bridging the gap between local eLTER communities and the eLTER Research Infrastructure (RI). This integration allows for the alignment of local needs with broader research efforts, providing valuable insights and solutions for local communities, scientists, and decision-makers on a local-to-regional scale.
Key features
- Collects local-to-national information and knowledge from national nework Coordinators/Sites/Platforms concerning individual, stakeholder-defined sustainability and governance issues as well as research demands at the site/platform level
- Integrates local sustainability issues and resulting research demands with actionable knowledge products and services.
- Serves as a link between local eLTER communities and the eLTER RI to allow for integration of local needs into actionable knowledge products finally serving local communities not involved with eLTER , scientists and decision-makers by addressing their specific questions on the local-to-regional scale.
Policy Briefs
Description
This service produces a range of policy briefs for public authorities and policy makers, as well as media, journalists and other stakeholders seeking to influence policy making at different levels of government (i.e. for audiences at local, national, supranational and European levels). Production of policy briefs will be based on three distinct "programme streams", comprising: (1) a set of standardised and long-standing topics, which will be examined either as a whole (WAILS) or by isolating specific aspects in each new edition; (2) annually defined "hot topics" that are of high policy relevance, controversially discussed within the scientific communities, require inter- and transdisciplinary perspectives, could be aligned with broader/global science and policy foci, or in themselves assume the role of trend-setting research agendas (e.g. the role of biomass in climate change or in the energy transition, etc.); and (3) a selection of local to national sustainability issues and research needs.
Key features
- Prepare policy briefs for authorities and policy makers as well as media outlets, journalists and other interest groups seeking to influence policy making at different administrative scales (i.e. for local to national to supranational and European-level audiences).
- Policies briefs will follow three distinct “program streams”:
- Standardised and long-lasting themes.
- Annually defined “hot topics” that are of high relevance for policy making; controversially discussed within the scientific communities; and/or require inter- and trans-disciplinary perspectives.
- A selection of local-to-national sustainability issues and research needs -All actions, including communication and public relations, are closely coordinated with the Head Office.
Boundary Objects
Description
The service transforms eLTER data and information into a set of actionable knowledge products through the creation of so-called boundary objects, which function as communication tools aimed at a wide range of stakeholders. Boundary objects may include (interactive) maps, graphs, scenario and trajectory analyses, indicator monitors, (serious) games, simulators and other IT tools (e.g. web interfaces and apps) aimed at practitioners, consultants, civil society organisations, education providers, media and journalists, and decision-makers. This service is specifically designed to link sustainability problems/agendas defined by local stakeholder with researchers (and students), policy makers and authorities.
Key features
- Transforming eLTER data and information into a series of actionable knowledge products via the creation of so-called boundary objects, which function as communication tools directed at a broad range of stakeholders.
- Connecting local stakeholder-defined sustainability problems/agendas with interested researchers (and students), policy makers and authorities.
- All actions, including communication efforts and public relations, are closely coordinated with Head Office.
Educational material
Description
The service provides educational materials for use by education providers, in particular but not limited to primary and secondary school teachers, appropriate for use in their respective curricula and languages. These materials should address the main pillars of the sustainability transformation from an eLTER perspective (i.e. looking at biodiversity, biogeochemistry, climate-water-food, social ecology aspects) in an integrated way, such as land use and food systems, climate change adaptation and mitigation, energy production and use, mobility and transport, circularity, etc.
Key features
- Provision of educational materials to be used by education providers, in particular but not limited to primary and secondary school teachers, adequate for use in respective curricula and languages.
- Convey a basic understanding of the complex interlinkages between the social, economic, environmental and political systems in our globalised world.
- Offer collaborative strategies and ways to empower and create a generation of well-informed and responsible citizens.
- Material should:
- Address principal pillars of the sustainability transformation from an eLTER perspective in an integrated way.
- Show complex relationships in relatively simple terms and provoke further exploration and questions.
- Materials could be conceived of in terms of single-day workshops, project weeks, or even semester courses.
- Be split into age-based bundles.
- All actions, including communication efforts and public relations, are closely coordinated with Head Office
Policy Forum
Description
The service aims to provide an appropriate setting for face-to-face communication and discussion to provide policy and decision makers with actionable knowledge and interdisciplinary scientific expertise. The aim is to build long lasting relationships between eLTER representatives and members of relevant governing bodies and authorities. eLTER Policy Fora shall be held every two years for one day at a suitable central location in Europe. Participation shall be by invitation only and the number of participants will be limited to allow for dialogue and an interactive working environment. This is essential to make progress on current policy issues and controversial debates in a collaborative manner and atmosphere.
Key features
- Provide an appropriate setting to enable face-to-face communication and discussion to expose policy- and decision-makers to actionable knowledge and inter-disciplinary scientific expertise.
- Build long-lasting relationships between eLTER representatives and members of relevant governing bodies and authorities.
- Enable dialogue to achieve progress on current policy issues and controversial debates.
- Strive to address local-, national- as well as continental-scale policy makers and high-ranking officials.
Science conferences
Description
This service ensures cross-disciplinary interaction between all relevant scientific communities involved in eLTER's Whole System Approach, as well as active engagement with other RIs and relevant institutions. The main objectives of the eLTER Scientific Conference are (1) to promote scientific excellence and methodological development, (2) to foster exchanges between national networks, institutions and disciplines, as well as with and between "sister" research infrastructures and co-located sites, and (3) to present the achievements of eLTER sites, platforms and topic centres to the eLTER community and beyond.
Key features
Plan, organise and conduct an eLTER Science Conference.
Advance cutting-edge scientific knowledge and method development.
Promote exchange between national networks, institutions and disciplines as well as with and between “sister” research infrastructures and co-located sites.
Represent achievements of eLTER sites, platforms and topic centres to a wider and “non-eLTER” audience.
Summer schools
Description
This service trains future generations of eLTER scientists in cross- and transdisciplinary science, including the integration of biodiversity, biogeochemistry, climate-water-food and social ecology, according to eLTER's Whole System Approach (WAILS). The main objectives of the Summer Schools are (1) to disseminate knowledge and training to students and early-career researchers on the research approaches, data and methodologies applied at the RI Sites and Platforms, (2) to develop novel research ideas rooted in the specific study region, potentially leading to practical projects and/or scientific publications, and (3) to build personal and professional, interdisciplinary and international networks.
Key features
- Plan, organise and conduct Summer Schools in regular intervals -advance cutting-edge scientific knowledge and method development.
- Promote exchange between national networks, institutions and disciplines as well as “sister” research infrastructures and co-located sites.
- Represent achievements of eLTER sites, platforms and topic centres to the eLTER community and beyond.