Top Universities have recognized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Interdisciplinary Research can help Universities to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and address complex societal problems, in line with the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the European Commission’s ambitious European Green Deal and priorities agenda for research and innovation.
To address those challenges and opportunities, NOVA is launching its first Interdisciplinary Research Community (NIRC), under the topic of Sustainable Energy Systems, supported by Galp.
WHY SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS?
- Current worldwide debates and trends in energy highlight complex challenges that call for innovative ideas, tools, technologies, and policies.
- Alignment with the European Green Deal and Mission Climate: decarbonising the EU’s energy system is critical to reach 2030 climate objectives and the EU’s long-term strategy of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Moreover, the research community is starting to advance after 2050 pointing to carbon positive energy systems (i.e., taking out carbon dioxide from the atmosphere).
- Transformation of energy systems is key to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and requires technological innovation, new policy-making models to get stakeholders involved, including local populations, new financing schemes to support massive investment needs and social contracts to accept innovation at affordable costs.
- Relevance of interdisciplinary interventions in areas such as the efficient use of energy, mobility, buildings, and industry, centralized and decentralized energy production, energy harvesting options, storage, among others, considering technological, socio-economic, regulatory, and political aspects.
- NOVA’s commitment to sustainability and the ability to bring together experts from diverse academic disciplines from its ecosystem to delve into the complexity of energy systems.
NOVA INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH COMMUNITY (NIRC)
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Our Vision: Towards a sustainable energy future for all
- NOVA is willing to establish a community of individuals affiliated to NOVA, from different academic disciplines and backgrounds, eager to tackle the complexity of energy systems and address specific challenges, with interdisciplinary and sustainability lenses.
- Joining NOVA “energy-related researchers” into one community ensures that knowledge is framed in one place promoting systemic thinking and holistic approaches to complexity and colleagues can easily identify and create synergies, internally and with external partners. NOVA students will also be involved in specific programs and events.
- Research may include the science and technology, social impact, and behaviour, legal and politics of energy, economy and finance, with a view to developing innovative and impactful solutions for real-world applications, aligned with the principles of sustainable development.
Our Goal
- Promote and accelerate interdisciplinary research in the Sustainable Energy Systems area through concrete programs and initiatives.
- Cultivate an interdisciplinary collaboration mindset.
- Generate and support both research and innovation (with higher TRLs) opportunities.
- Support the development of new public policies in the field.
The Interdisciplinary Research Community on Sustainable Energy Systems is supported by Galp.
Expressions of Interest
NOVA University Lisbon is now seeking Expressions of Interest from researchers across different disciplines to participate in the interdisciplinary research community on Sustainable Energy Systems.
The NIRC on Sustainable Energy Systems will bring together researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including environment, engineering and technology, law, social sciences, economy, and data management, to collaborate on research projects aimed at addressing the complex challenges posed by Sustainable Energy Systems. Some proposed Research Areas of this NIRC are depicted below, although other topics will be welcomed, and the approach to each topic will require contributions from various disciplines:
Researchers interested in participating in the interdisciplinary research community should fill out this online form and submit a brief Expression of Interest outlining their research interests, expertise, and experience working collaboratively with researchers from other disciplines.
As part of the NOVA Interdisciplinary Research Community on Sustainable Energy Systems, researchers will be invited to participate in a series of interdisciplinary workshops and seminars, internal and external events of matchmaking and brainstorming of new ideas, joint publications, and scientific mobilities, all aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. The community shall meet in person at least half-day per month. With the support of Galp, funding will be available for helping the transformation of the best ideas from the community into ambitious projects for further implementation or submission to international funding agencies.
To know more about the NOVA Interdisciplinary Research Community on Sustainable Energy Systems and its activities please contact nova.research@unl.pt.
