Newsletter
Dear MCAA Members,
We hope you are all doing well. Time really flies, and we are already jumping into the second half of the year! It has been a productive year so far for our Association, with a brand new Board actively working towards the growth and improvement of the MCAA.
This special issue of the MCAA Newsletter is dedicated to advancing sustainable practices in academia, aiming to explore the integration of environmental responsibilities into research and innovation. This topic is particularly important within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, which emphasizes sustainability as a key component of its framework.
The MCAA is deeply interested in fostering an inclusive and sustainable research environment that enables knowledge to benefit society. We are, therefore, excited to announce the launch of a new General Interest Group (GIG) on Sustainability, aiming to foster sustainable initiatives, actions, and measures within and outside of the MCAA community. The group´s mission is to collect, develop, integrate, and apply sustainable practices in research and education, and training activities linked to both science and individual behavior, in particular, to reduce human impact/harm on the environment. The GIG is led by former Board members Alexandra Dubini, Donata Iandolo, and Mariana Rosca and currently comprises 59 members. One of the group’s primary objectives is to help the European community with the implementation of the MSCA Green Charter, which constitutes a code of good practice for all recipients of MSCA funding – individuals as well as institutions – aiming to promote the mainstreaming of environmental considerations in all aspects of project implementation. Through the new GIG, the MCAA wishes to actively promote sustainable thinking in research management, aligning with the MSCA Green Charter’s aims.
Sustainability, in research and innovation, entails a collective effort to balance current societal needs with future environmental and economic challenges. It requires researchers to develop solutions that not only advance scientific knowledge but also enhance the quality of life, promote social equity, and stimulate economic growth through sustainable practices.
Within the newly established GIG, the MCAA is planning to gather information on the sustainability strategies across all areas, from research to infrastructure, implemented by our members’ workplaces. The goal is to compile a detailed summary highlighting what is working well and identifying areas for improvement. Earlier this month, the GIG, in collaboration with the MCAA Research Funding Working Group (RFWG), hosted an online invited lecture on "Education and Career Opportunities in Climate Change, Development and Sustainability" by Lakshmi Kumar T V (Jawaharlal Nehru University, India).
By fostering a culture of sustainability within our community, we promote responsible research conduct contributing to a resilient and sustainable future.
Among recent relevant activities, the MCAA Africa Chapter was invited by Eurodoc to collaborate in drafting a proposal for the “Global Call for Science Missions for Sustainability Project”, launched by the International Science Council, working on innovative solutions for complex sustainability challenges. Furthermore, several MCAA members took part in the evaluation process of proposals linked to the sustainability theme for the Ukraine EURIZON Fellowship call. Additionally, at the Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) Satellite Event organized by the MSCA Unit in Katowice (Poland) on 10-11 June, MCAA member Polat Goktas delivered a talk within the "Greening Research Practices: Policy and On-the-Ground Initiatives" breakout session.
This edition of the MCAA Newsletter provides valuable insights into how sustainability can be effectively embedded in research and innovation practices, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape and future directions.
Moving on to updates from the Board, we are pleased to report that, in the first three months of its mandate, the current Board has been very active, especially in representation activities.
Board Member, Virginia H. Albarracín, was our delegate at the “ICS Global Knowledge Dialogue: Latin America and the Caribbean” organized by the International Science Council in Santiago de Chile, 9-11 April. Together with the Chairs of our Latin American MCAA Chapters, she participated in the Early- and Mid-Career Researchers Forum and in open discussions about the new strategic roadmap required for the region to effectively progress global commitments such as the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. As a global Alumni association, the MCAA is also interested in participating in events and networks that can identify regional scientific priorities, opportunities, and challenges, thus contributing to improving the conditions for life and work of our members in the LATAM region.
On 16 May 2024, Vice-Chair Joaquin Capablo spoke at the concluding session of the ReMO conference in Budapest (Hungary). On 21- 22 May 2024, Executive Director Mostafa Moonir Shawrav spoke at the InterAcademy Partnership - International Science Council - Global Young Academy meeting on research evaluation, in Paris (France). On 24-25 May 2024, we were invited to attend the General Assembly and Conference of the Erasmus Mundus Association in Istanbul (Turkey). As mentioned above, the MSCA Unit organized a Satellite Event of ESOF on 10-11 June, preceding the main ESOF event, which this year took place from 12 to 15 June in Katowice, Poland. Thirty MCAA members and the entire Board were invited to attend the two-day Satellite Event, and many of them, alongside other members of the Association, were actively involved in a number of sessions: Treasurer Pavlo Bazilinskyy contributed to the session on “A PhD beyond campus: integrating the non-academic sector in doctoral program”; Board members Irene Castellano Pellicena and Ornela Bardhi spoke at the “Careers at the intersection of science & policy,” while UK Chapter Chair Quentin Loisel led a hands-on workshop on generative AI for research. Moreover, making the most of the in-person attendance at these two events, the Board held an informal meeting on 8-9 June in Katowice. It was the opportunity to discuss numerous topics related to the future of the Association and to have a meeting with some members of the operational team.
Following the successful Satellite Event, several Board members extended their stay to participate in ESOF 2024. Board member Irene Castellano Pellicena spoke at the session on “Rethinking research excellence,” while Vice-Chair Joaquin Capablo took part in a panel discussion about the impact of the ISE’s Manifesto for early-career researchers. On 26 June 2024, Secretary Maria Magdalena Razalan, alongside UK Chapter Chair Quentin Loisel, presented the Association at the Joint European Commission-UKRI-UUKi MSCA event in London (UK), whereas on 26-28 June, Board member Irene Castellano Pellicena contributed views on “Rethinking research assessment at the European University Association - Council for Doctoral Education annual meeting in Barcelona (Spain).
We are also proud to let you know that we have submitted the application for the new Coordination and Support Action (CSA), the main funding source for the daily subsistence of the MCAA. An important deadline was met, and the results should be out in September, with a tentative start in October 2024. With the support of the current CSA, our operational team is growing, and we are pleased to welcome Gledson Emidio as our new Community Officer, whereas the hiring process is ongoing for further positions.
Finally, on 19 July 2024, the Board will hold its first official meeting. The invitation to Chapters and WG Chairs will be sent out shortly. It will be a great opportunity for exchanging ideas and networking.
The Board looks forward to meeting you all soon! Wishing you a pleasant reading.
Virginia Helena Albarracín
MCAA Board Member
virginia.albarracin@mariecuriealumni.eu
@virkinal
Maria Romano
MCAA Board Member
maria.romano@mariecuriealumni.eu
@_Maria_Romano
Maria Magdalena Razalan
MCAA Secretary
mariam.razalan@mariecuriealumni.eu