“I am happy to be a visiting fellow for the upcoming months at the University of Massachusetts Boston, in the Sustainable Solutions Lab. This is an excellent opportunity for my career since it gives me a platform to work both on my academic and non-academic portfolios. On one hand, I use this opportunity to build bridges with a very active US state research-wise, particularly regarding transdisciplinary research on the topics of climate change adaptation and coastal governance. On the other hand, I am broadening my experience in the non-academic domain, working with multiple stakeholders in community empowerment.
During three months, twenty participants joined the workgroup of ‘Climate Justice Deep Dive’. Problem-based transdisciplinary research is perfectly suited for addressing complex questions of broad societal interest, such as climate justice, and needs to include integration of knowledge from non-academic stakeholders who are closest to the issues of concern. Besides finding solutions for climate and social justice beyond academia, I have a unique opportunity to participate in a variety of seminars and lectures provided by the neighbouring universities. For example, recently Harvard University organised a Worldwide Week and I’ve participated in sessions on the future of cities, regarding extreme urban heat and rising waters, where scholars challenged local governments regarding the advances in climate adaptation. This unique experience couldn’t have been possible without the acceptance of UMass and the support of my imπACT postdoctoral fellowship at VUB, which I am grateful for.”
A building of UMass Boston, where Ante is currently working. Photo credits: Ante Ivcevic
Dr Carlos Leonidas Leiva has switched career and he is now IP management expert at Enabel. Below he tells us how the imπACT programme helped him make this switch.
“When I first saw the imπACT programme, I found it very interesting because it has a one-of-a-kind approach to boost researcher profiles at an interdisciplinary level. Particularly, I was very intrigued to participate as its main focus was on tech transfer and entrepreneurship.
In my case, I had already experience in technology transfer in my home country, Argentina, and also abroad, but didn’t have such a hands-on experience at the European level. Being part of the first cohort of the imπACT programme was a very enriching experience in my career as it provided me with skills and practice in analyzing tech transfer at the academic level as well as to draft a business case inserted in the European innovation ecosystem. Moreover, it offered the opportunity to do a secondment at a non-academic institution. This aspect was also crucial to understand the implications of my research outside the academic environment as well as to broaden my professional network. Specifically, through the imπACT programme, I enhanced my skills in project management, market research, and strategic foresight. In fact, it leveraged my academic and business skills at an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary level. Altogether, this helped me switch career paths and landed me in my current role as a Tech Transfer and IP management expert at Enabel, the Belgian development agency.”