My project
I am a postdoctoral researcher in coastal risk management, the field of geography. The topic relates to the interface of scientists and policy-makers and the challenges they are facing while working on the topics related to climate and environmental change. In my project, I explore how policy-makers interact with scientists and receive scientific information regarding coastal risks, and how they consider the needs of the general population.
How do policymakers take decisions? Amongst others, they listen to different administrations and industry sectors and take costs and power relations into account. Unfortunately, only a small part of a policy decision is based on scientific information. What can science and policy learn from each other? During my research, I explore how we can get a bigger portion of science into decision-making. In my case study I focus on policy regarding integrated coastal zone management, which raises questions like: what is the most appropriate way to manage limited space and resources like coast and water, and how do we protect the environment, while developing the area? In the case of coastal management, the optimal policy on how to interact with these sensitive areas already exists since 2008. So, the problems and solutions regarding integrated coastal zone management are well-addressed and written in this Protocol. The problem, however, is the implementation. For example, although the Protocol states that we should withdraw our construction from the coastline, decision-makers still authorize building in the first line to the sea. I specifically research science and policy regarding coastal areas of the Mediterranean basin – particularly the coastal areas of North Morocco and Sicily, Italy. Using interviews, workshops and focus group discussions with stakeholders, we discuss their vision of sustainable development based on available scientific information on climate change and coastal risks. Doing this I hope to better understand the interactions between different policymakers, boost the uptake of scientific information and, finally, improve coastal governance.
My publications
Agharroud, Kamal, et al. “Climate risk assessment of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima coastal Region (Morocco).” Frontiers in Marine Science (2023).
My events and conferences
Panel Discussion, “La résilience côtière et la gestion intégrée des zones côtières”, Journée du littoral méditerranéen, Tangier, Morocco, 28 September 2022.
Presentation, “Integrated coastal zone management: Science-policy interactions for solutions to climate change adaptation based on the local experiences and participatory approach from the Mediterranean basin”, San Sebastian, Spain, ECSA59 Conference, 5-8 September 2022.
https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/#/event/2731/session/46277 Guest Lecture, “What enhances learning processes between policy-makers and scientists regarding coastal risks?”, Institute for Geography and Regional Research, Vienna, Austria, 23 March 2022
My videos
What can science and policy learn from each other?
My Training/secondment activities
MSCA-COFUND imπACT workshops/training on research impact development and entrepreneurship, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (2022)
My scientific awards
- Short Research Stay, FWO, two-week travel grant, March 2023
- Innovation Mobility, Eutopia, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, one-month travel grant, November 2022.
- MSCA-COFUND imπACT Postdoctoral Fellowship – 2022 – Vrije Universiteit Brussel – 2-year grant
(start 01.03.2022)
My social media activity
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ante-iv%C4%8Devi%C4%87-4533b485/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AIvcevic
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ante-Ivcevic