UAB Joins New Espai Cràter Science Advisory Council
The Scientific Advisory Committee of Espai Cràter was officially established on Moday 7 July. This new advisory body is promoted by the Espai Cràter and the City Council of Olot, with the participation of prestigious research institutions in volcanology and earth sciences, as well as with the support of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and the Government of Catalonia.
This committee was created with the aim of strengthening the quality, rigour and impact of scientific knowledge linked to the region, and will become a key instrument to articulate scientific knowledge with public and regional management, provide support to strategic decision making in terms of geological heritage and sustainability, and connect the town of Olot with national and international scientific research, to attract talent and strengthen the external projection of La Garrotxa.
Four important work axes
The committee will work steadily around four axes. First, applied scientific research: promoting studies and research projects in volcanology, landscape, sustainability and natural risk management. The committee will act as a strategic guide and liaison with centres of scientific excellence. Secondly, knowledge transfer and dissemination: evaluation and orientation of the centre’s scientific content (exhibitions, conferences, publications), to ensure its quality and rigour. The committee will also establish criteria for accessible and inclusive outreach activities. The third axis of work will be training and capacity building: collaboration in higher education programmes (postgraduate, master’s, internships, placements) and support for the development of new professional profiles in earth sciences and science communication. Finally, the territorial and strategic impact: contribution to territorial planning, landscape management, climate adaptation and sustainable development of La Garrotxa, with scientific evidence and shared technical criteria.
At the constitution meeting, the members of the committee defined the priority lines of work and began to define their strategy and first actions.
A leading scientific team
The committee is composed of researchers renowned for their expertise in volcanology and geology, representatives of different leading institutions, many of which have an agreement with the City Council of Olot. The members are Adelina Geyer, senior scientist and deputy director of Geosciences Barcelona – CSIC; Xavier de Bolós, senior scientist at Geosciences Barcelona – CSIC; Oriol Oms, professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Meritxell Aulinas, lecturer at the University of Barcelona; and Anna Menció, lecturer at the University of Girona. Xevi Collell, director of the Espai Cràter, and Joan Pijoan, director of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, also form part of the committee as institutional coordinators and technical secretariat.
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