Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CETE-P (Establishing the Center for Environmental and Technology Ethics - Prague)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-01-01 al 2024-03-31
The ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies and climate change have been critically examined by ethicists in newly founded research centres all around the developed world. Yet, there is no comparable research program in the Czech Republic, and only a few relevant research initiatives in the whole CEE region.
The Horizon Europe-funded project, led by ERA Chair holder Prof. Mark Coeckelbergh, one of the most prolific and innovative authors in philosophy of technology and environment, will help to remedy this situation by establishing the Center for Environmental and Technology Ethics - Prague (CETE-P), based at the Institute of Philosophy, the largest humanities institute at the Czech Academy of Sciences.
The main mission of this international research center is to contribute to advancing state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of environmental and technology ethics, in particular by focusing on issues that are under-researched globally, and/or imperative in the CEE region.
At the same time the project will enable to implement a set of organizational measures and structural changes at the IP CAS, in particular in the areas of HR, international grant support, research management and institutional culture. These changes will improve the international visibility of the IP, helping it to both succeed in competing for EU research funds and to integrate better into the European research landscape.
Finally, the CETE-P project aims to overcome the existing barriers between the general public, concerned stakeholders and the research community, as well as facilitate the flow of expert ethical opinions in the wider societal debate on the ethical issues concerning technologies and environment. In its long-term impact, this project shall contribute to further increase in public visibility of SSH research and its relevance for tackling urgent societal and political issues.
The Horizon Europe-funded project, led by ERA Chair holder Prof. Mark Coeckelbergh, one of the most prolific and innovative authors in philosophy of technology and environment, will help to remedy this situation by establishing the Center for Environmental and Technology Ethics - Prague (CETE-P), based at the Institute of Philosophy, the largest humanities institute at the Czech Academy of Sciences.
The main mission of this international research center is to contribute to advancing state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of environmental and technology ethics, in particular by focusing on issues that are under-researched globally, and/or imperative in the CEE region.
At the same time the project will enable to implement a set of organizational measures and structural changes at the IP CAS, in particular in the areas of HR, international grant support, research management and institutional culture. These changes will improve the international visibility of the IP, helping it to both succeed in competing for EU research funds and to integrate better into the European research landscape.
Finally, the CETE-P project aims to overcome the existing barriers between the general public, concerned stakeholders and the research community, as well as facilitate the flow of expert ethical opinions in the wider societal debate on the ethical issues concerning technologies and environment. In its long-term impact, this project shall contribute to further increase in public visibility of SSH research and its relevance for tackling urgent societal and political issues.
The first phase of the project was fully implemented according to plan and within the timeframe. The main activities carried out within the Work Packages are summarised below:
Work Package 1
- The Project Management Guide was prepared and revised.
- Project data repository and communication channels have been established.
- All legal, contractual, financial, and administrative aspects have been implemented.
- Project meetings are held on a regular basis, cross WP coordination is ensured.
- In close collaboration with Prof. Mark Coeckelbergh, the following documents: Project Guide for Recruitment, Networking Development Plan, Data Management Plan, Communication and Dissemination Plan, and the CETE-P Web Portal were prepared and implemented.
- Two meetings of the Project Management Board were held, which also commented and approved all deliverables during the first period.
Work Package 2
- Under the supervision of Prof. Mark Coeckelbergh, three international Selection Committees were formed and recruitment was carried out for the positions of Research Leader, Junior Researcher (ongoing) and PhD Researcher.
Work Package 3
- CETE-P members meet monthly to discuss ongoing research, provide feedback and plan future activities.
- One article has been published, other are in progress.
- One international workshop was held.
- As part of the internationalisation and networking efforts, 5 foreign researchers from 5 institutions visited CETE-P. In addition, CETE-P researchers travelled abroad to establish new partnerships and participated in networking visits and conferences.
Work Package 4
- CETE-P is integrated into the organisational structure of the IP CAS with its own budget.
- Prof. Mark Coeckelbergh became a member of the International Advisory Board.
- Three institutional meetings were held for staff to exchange experiences on projects, grants and PR activities.
- Training on Open Science and funding requirements was provided for IP staff.
- A questionnaire to review the attestation process was prepared, distributed and evaluated, with selected changes identified for planning future steps.
- Collaborative partnerships with data administrators from other institutes of the Czech Academy of Science and the Discord community have been established.
Work Package 5
- The CETE-P web and social media channels were launched.
- The visual identity of the new research centre was prepared and launched.
- The first steps in the preparation of a podcast programme were taken.
- A work for cooperation with stakeholders was developed, and the first CETE-P Forum was held.
All activities are described in more detail in the Technical Report, Part B.
Work Package 1
- The Project Management Guide was prepared and revised.
- Project data repository and communication channels have been established.
- All legal, contractual, financial, and administrative aspects have been implemented.
- Project meetings are held on a regular basis, cross WP coordination is ensured.
- In close collaboration with Prof. Mark Coeckelbergh, the following documents: Project Guide for Recruitment, Networking Development Plan, Data Management Plan, Communication and Dissemination Plan, and the CETE-P Web Portal were prepared and implemented.
- Two meetings of the Project Management Board were held, which also commented and approved all deliverables during the first period.
Work Package 2
- Under the supervision of Prof. Mark Coeckelbergh, three international Selection Committees were formed and recruitment was carried out for the positions of Research Leader, Junior Researcher (ongoing) and PhD Researcher.
Work Package 3
- CETE-P members meet monthly to discuss ongoing research, provide feedback and plan future activities.
- One article has been published, other are in progress.
- One international workshop was held.
- As part of the internationalisation and networking efforts, 5 foreign researchers from 5 institutions visited CETE-P. In addition, CETE-P researchers travelled abroad to establish new partnerships and participated in networking visits and conferences.
Work Package 4
- CETE-P is integrated into the organisational structure of the IP CAS with its own budget.
- Prof. Mark Coeckelbergh became a member of the International Advisory Board.
- Three institutional meetings were held for staff to exchange experiences on projects, grants and PR activities.
- Training on Open Science and funding requirements was provided for IP staff.
- A questionnaire to review the attestation process was prepared, distributed and evaluated, with selected changes identified for planning future steps.
- Collaborative partnerships with data administrators from other institutes of the Czech Academy of Science and the Discord community have been established.
Work Package 5
- The CETE-P web and social media channels were launched.
- The visual identity of the new research centre was prepared and launched.
- The first steps in the preparation of a podcast programme were taken.
- A work for cooperation with stakeholders was developed, and the first CETE-P Forum was held.
All activities are described in more detail in the Technical Report, Part B.
After the first 15 months of the CETE-P project, and based on feedback from the academic community, stakeholders, partners interested in collaborating with CETE-P, applicants who responded to the recruitment process and calls for expressions of interest, we expect that the CETE-P project will have a significant impact on the broader agenda related to environmental and technological ethics, both at the level of societal perception and at the level of implementation.
An important outcome beyond the scientific objectives is the dissemination of best practice to other organisations and the sharing of know-how both with other institutions and universities, and within the community of the Institute of Philosophy. The recognition gained by securing the prestigious Horizon Europe project has inspired other institutions to initiate ERA Chair projects, benefiting from the advisory support of our team. Last but not least, the important experience of running an international selection process with a focus on gender balance and transparency has been widely shared and consulted by other projects and institutions.
We therefore expect that the project will directly improve the scientific environment and increase the relevance of Social Sciences and Humanities in the Czech Republic and the Central European region.
An important outcome beyond the scientific objectives is the dissemination of best practice to other organisations and the sharing of know-how both with other institutions and universities, and within the community of the Institute of Philosophy. The recognition gained by securing the prestigious Horizon Europe project has inspired other institutions to initiate ERA Chair projects, benefiting from the advisory support of our team. Last but not least, the important experience of running an international selection process with a focus on gender balance and transparency has been widely shared and consulted by other projects and institutions.
We therefore expect that the project will directly improve the scientific environment and increase the relevance of Social Sciences and Humanities in the Czech Republic and the Central European region.