Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RESPONSE (RESPONSE - to society and policy needs through plant, food and energy sciences)
Reporting period: 2020-02-01 to 2022-01-31
28 ESRs contribute through their inter-sectoral research to European coordinated efforts for stewardship in transformation to sustainable food systems, sustainable energy systems and to ensure sustainable land use. RESPONSE DP combines research with empowerment of ESRs to interact with stakeholders, policy-makers and the public to make sure that research is responsive to the needs of society and the necessary transformations for fulfilling the Sustainable Development.
RESPONSE DP is unique: 28 ESRs collaborate with a Partner Organisation at the science, -policy, -society interface or with private enterprises in a 3-12 month secondment. Co-supervision is provided during the fellowship through academic and non-academic partners. All ESRs are enrolled in the curriculum of the existing and forefront PSC Doctoral Programme “Science and Policy” and are matriculated at ETH Zurich (20 ESRs) or University of Zurich (8 ESRs).
As part of the research process, they learn how to address the values, needs and expectations of societal actors and how to co-create knowledge for policy-relevant outcomes.
In RESPONSE DP, all ESRs benefit from the research environments of world-leading universities (ETH Zürich – beneficiary and University of Zurich - recruiting Partner Organisation) represented by their international renown centers: Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center (PSC, joint research center of ETH, UZH and UNIBAS), the World Food System Center (WFSC, ETH) and Energy Science Center (ESC, ETH) and of 27 non-academic Partner Organisation (13 EU public, 10 EU private, 4 non-EU public).
RESPONSE DP implements the triple “i” dimension of doctoral training: international mobility of ESRs, inter-sectorial opportunities and the contribution to interdisciplinary research areas.
RESPONSE DP is unique: 28 ESRs collaborate with a Partner Organisation at the science, -policy, -society interface or with private enterprises in a 3-12 month secondment. Co-supervision is provided during the fellowship through academic and non-academic partners. All ESRs are enrolled in the curriculum of the existing and forefront PSC Doctoral Programme “Science and Policy” and are matriculated at ETH Zurich (20 ESRs) or University of Zurich (8 ESRs).
As part of the research process, they learn how to address the values, needs and expectations of societal actors and how to co-create knowledge for policy-relevant outcomes.
In RESPONSE DP, all ESRs benefit from the research environments of world-leading universities (ETH Zürich – beneficiary and University of Zurich - recruiting Partner Organisation) represented by their international renown centers: Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center (PSC, joint research center of ETH, UZH and UNIBAS), the World Food System Center (WFSC, ETH) and Energy Science Center (ESC, ETH) and of 27 non-academic Partner Organisation (13 EU public, 10 EU private, 4 non-EU public).
RESPONSE DP implements the triple “i” dimension of doctoral training: international mobility of ESRs, inter-sectorial opportunities and the contribution to interdisciplinary research areas.
The first project year was dedicated to the recruitment of the ESRs and the implementation of the RESPONSE management, training and dissemination processes.
During second project year the recruitment was completed and all 28 ESRs got accustomed to their academic and non-academic partners.
The ESRs started with their training curriculum and have already presented their research at 15 different conferences. 1 ESR has published in a peer-reviewed journal, 8 manuscripts are in preparation. 21 ESRs have participated in public engagement activities, including science fairs and school class workshops. 2 ESR participated or organized their stakeholder meetings. 1 white paper was already produced as policy outcome by one ESR.
Despite the COVID-19 travel restrictions 8 ESRs started their secondment at their non-recruiting partner organisation.
At the first Annual Meeting (M13) 14 appointed ESRs presented their research projects (M13). During the second Annual Meeting (M26) all 28 ESRs presented the progress of their individual projects.
All reporting duties have been fulfilled and 13 deliverables have been submitted and accepted by the REA.
During second project year the recruitment was completed and all 28 ESRs got accustomed to their academic and non-academic partners.
The ESRs started with their training curriculum and have already presented their research at 15 different conferences. 1 ESR has published in a peer-reviewed journal, 8 manuscripts are in preparation. 21 ESRs have participated in public engagement activities, including science fairs and school class workshops. 2 ESR participated or organized their stakeholder meetings. 1 white paper was already produced as policy outcome by one ESR.
Despite the COVID-19 travel restrictions 8 ESRs started their secondment at their non-recruiting partner organisation.
At the first Annual Meeting (M13) 14 appointed ESRs presented their research projects (M13). During the second Annual Meeting (M26) all 28 ESRs presented the progress of their individual projects.
All reporting duties have been fulfilled and 13 deliverables have been submitted and accepted by the REA.
As part of the research process all ESRs learn how to address the values, needs and expectations of societal actors and how to co-create knowledge for policy-relevant outcomes. We expect policy outcomes or innovation well integrated in the impact channels of the policy-related partner organisations: +28 as policy briefs, fact sheets, scenarios, models, etc.
We expect in the fields of research to contribute to question as:
• TRANSITIONS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR: 9 ESRs
What is a possible target system for the energy supply in 2050 that meets the sustainability criteria (including climate goals)? Which technologies need to be deployed? Do we have missing technologies? Which policies are needed for the transition to be effective?
• SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS: 13 ESRs
How should a resilient food system look like that is efficient in the use of environmental resources, sufficient through less demands and diversified in product and practices?
• LAND USE DECISIONS: 6 ESRs
Can research in land use scenarios respond to the need to better integrate land management with competing needs of society for energy, food as well as intact ecosystem services and a healthy and biodiversity-rich landscape? Can we maintain livelihoods while maintaining biodiversity? Are there feedbacks in the social-ecological system that prevent transitions towards sustainable resource use?
We expect in the fields of research to contribute to question as:
• TRANSITIONS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR: 9 ESRs
What is a possible target system for the energy supply in 2050 that meets the sustainability criteria (including climate goals)? Which technologies need to be deployed? Do we have missing technologies? Which policies are needed for the transition to be effective?
• SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS: 13 ESRs
How should a resilient food system look like that is efficient in the use of environmental resources, sufficient through less demands and diversified in product and practices?
• LAND USE DECISIONS: 6 ESRs
Can research in land use scenarios respond to the need to better integrate land management with competing needs of society for energy, food as well as intact ecosystem services and a healthy and biodiversity-rich landscape? Can we maintain livelihoods while maintaining biodiversity? Are there feedbacks in the social-ecological system that prevent transitions towards sustainable resource use?