PROTECT is an Innovative Training Network (ITN) funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018, Grant No. 813329). The overarching aim of this Innovative Training Network (ITN) is to provide high-level training in Predictive mOdelling Tools to evaluate the Effects of Climate change on food safeTy (PROTECT) to a new generation of high achieving Early Stage Researchers (ESRs). PROTECT provided ESRs with the transferable skills necessary for thriving careers in a burgeoning area that underpins innovative technological development across a range of diverse disciplines. PROTECT commenced its 42-month training network on 1st April 2019 with a 6-month recruitment drive. All ESRs were in place by the 1st January 2020 and commenced work on their respective tasks. A website (www.protect-itn.eu) was created in order to contribute to the exploitation and dissemination of the PROTECT ITN objectives, aims and results. In addition, other social media and dissemination routes were exploited (e.g. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook). A launch and opening event took place in UCD (23rd-24th May, 2019) with a video address by EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan. Management structures, including a Supervisory Board (with representatives from all partner institutions) were also setup during this meeting. A number of training workshops (2 workshops) and summer school (2 summer schools), were organised throughout the action, with leading roles and significant input from industry partners. The outputs of the Training Network were disseminated beyond national borders through social media and academic networks. ESRs also presented their work at several outreach events, including school visits. Of particular note was the development of the PROTECT comic book, aimed at primary school children (ages 6 years upwards) to illustrate the main concepts and outcomes from the PROTECT Training Network in an uncomplicated and fun way. The comic book is free for download at:
https://researchrepository.ucd.ie/handle/10197/13121 . The Training Network’s final PROTECT conference (UCD Dublin, November 2022) was organized with support from academic and industry partners. The conference was open to researchers, regulatory agencies, and industry professionals, serving as an effective platform to disseminate the Training Networks results to a wider audience. The action resulted in the development of risk assessment tools, decision support tools and a while paper document, which emphasised the need for advanced predictive modelling approaches that combine food safety and microbial data with climate change data to investigate the impact of climate change on food safety.