Sustainable research: fit for the future
IBEC, in collaboration with SuRe-CAT (Sustainable Research Catalonia network), Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB) and Nanomed Spain, is hosting an in-person satellite event of “Sustainable Research: Fit for the Future”, an event organized at EMBL Heidelberg together with EMBO, the Sustainable European Laboratories Network (SELs), and with support from the European Union’s Climate Pact.
This event provides an opportunity to engage in critical discussions on sustainability in scientific research, bringing together professionals from various research institutions across Catalonia.
The symposium will explore the vital role of sustainable practices within the scientific community. As researchers tackle global challenges, adopting environmentally responsible and socially equitable research methodologies is more important than ever. Topics covered will include green laboratory practices, the power of grassroots movements, organizational sustainability strategies, and the role of funders, all with a focus on the future of sustainable science.
Through keynote presentations and panel discussions, participants will connect with leading experts, exchange experiences, and collaborate across disciplines. By fostering a culture of sustainability in science, we can reduce our ecological footprint, enhance research integrity, and ensure the long-term viability of scientific progress.
Why join the Satellite Event?
This satellite event will serve as a hub for networking and collaboration within the local research community. It will be a dynamic platform where attendees are encouraged to share best practices in sustainable labs, addressing common challenges, and collaboratively exploring innovative solutions by submitting a candidature to participate in the “Sustainable research experience sharing” session (see abstract submission link). Through interactive round tables, expert-led discussions, and case studies from leading institutions, participants will gain practical insights and actionable strategies for integrating sustainability into their work. The event will also provide opportunities to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and collectively address sustainability challenges in research environments.
Attending a satellite event instead of travelling to the main symposium at EMBL Heidelberg allows for active engagement in meaningful discussions while reducing carbon footprints. Local participation minimizes the need for long-distance travel, making it a more sustainable choice for those living or working nearby.
By coming together, the research community can drive impactful sustainability initiatives, exchange innovative ideas, and pave the way for more environmentally responsible scientific practices.
Join us at PCB and take part in the movement toward a more sustainable future in research!
The on-site event will be in Spanish while the online event will be in English.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
- Abstract submission deadline: 15th April, 2025
- Registration deadline: 22nd April, 2025
VENUE
Dolors Aleu Room, Parc Científic Barcelona
PROGRAMME (TBC)
Time (Europe/Berlin) |
Session |
8:30 – 8:45 |
On-site: Registration |
8:45 – 9:00 |
On-site: Opening Remarks Grisha Domakowski (PCB) & Cristina Arimany (IBEC, Nanomed Spain) |
9:00 – 9:10 |
Online: Introduction – Brendan Rouse Online: Opening Remarks – Edith Heard |
9:10 – 10:10 |
Online: Keynote Lecture – Fernando Valladares |
10:10 – 11:05 |
Online: General Concepts and Sustainable Practices Marta Rodríguez-Martínez & Nick Souter This session will explore best practices in research and lay the foundation for establishing environmental sustainability benchmarks in wet and dry labs. |
11:05 – 11:15 |
On-site: Brief Break – 10’ getting ready for presentations |
11:15 – 11:30 |
On-site: Presentation of SuRe-Cat Casandra Edelweiss Villava Robles (SuRe-Cat) |
11:30 – 12:00 |
On-site: How to get those in decision-making positions engaged in sustainability? Speaker: Natalia Artigas (Integra Therapeutics) & TBC Chair: Isabel Oliveira (IBEC) |
12:00– 12:30 |
On-site: Interconnection between Health & Safety and Sustainability Speakers: Glòria Pladellorens (PCB), Xavier Blanch (ICIQ) & Alexandre Robert Moreno (EMBL BCN) Chair: Sandara Piquer (IDIBAPS) |
12:30 – 13:00 |
On-site: Sustainability Officers: what’s their role? Speakers: Mar Chaguaceda (IBEC), Marta Duran Balada (ICN2) & Laura Tejada (CRG) Chair: Júlia Benito (IDIBELL) |
13:00 – 13: 35 |
On-site: Sustainable research experience sharing (selected abstracts) Chair: tbc |
13:35– 14:35 |
On-site: Lunch break |
14:35 – 15:30 |
Online: Top-Down Approaches in Action – Institutional Leadership for Sustainability Hollyn Hartlep & Gisou van der Goot Institutional engagement is crucial for a successful model of research sustainability. This session will explore the strategies employed by leading research institutions to promote sustainability, highlighting their innovative and collaborative approaches. |
15:30 – 16:25 |
Online: Broadening the Funders Landscape – Integrating Diverse Stakeholders into Sustainable Research Kerry Garfitt, Charles Joly & Philipp Webber Building on the Heidelberg Agreement and the UK Concordat, this session will explore future steps being taken to further advance sustainability in research funding. |
16:25 – 17:00 |
On-site: Afternoon coffee break |
17:00 – 18:30 |
Online: Integrative Strategies for Unified Action – Tools and future paths Martin Farley, Bianca Schell & Loïc Lannelongue In a session designed to engage the audience as active participants in a panel discussion led by some of the most influential voices in the current landscape, this interactive session will focus on the tools and steps necessary to achieve a research sustainability model that integrates all key stakeholders. |
18:30 – 18:40 |
Online: Final Remarks – Marta Rodríguez-Martínez |
Contact
ibeccommunications@ibecbarcelona.eu