Introducing: CCRI and Eurac
In recent months, two new partner institutes into its association were officially welcomed into the Alternet Association: The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) of the UK and Eurac Research of Italy.
Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI)
The Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) is part of the University of Gloucestershire and recognized by the ESRC as a ’pocket of excellence’.
Established in 1988 it is one of the largest specialist rural research centres in the UK, with a range of research staff including geographers, sociologists, economists, spatial planners, policy analysts, and environmental scientists. Our work is at the interface of agriculture, society and the environment on issues relevant to rural and urban development, in the UK, Europe and further afield. Collaborating with colleagues and partners in the physical as well as social sciences the CCRI has placed itself at the centre of a nexus of mutual exchange with these ranging from soil science, sustainable agriculture, to the culture of food, and the limits of the food system.
Their principal research interests are manifested in a rigorous, dynamic and inclusive approach to deepening our shared understanding of rural life. As we prepare for the policy, technological and environmental challenges before us, CCRI looks to work with those engaged in agriculture, food and environmental management as well as rural communities.
This is at the core of their mission statement: “The CCRI will conduct and publish world class, agenda-setting research to influence policy actors, practitioners and decision makers at all levels, from local to global, and provide a strong evidence base to enable sustainability and resilience.”
Eurac Research
Eurac Research is a research center based in Bolzano, Italy. Their research addresses the greatest challenges of the future: keeping societies healthy, fostering intact environments, promoting sustainable energy and developing well-functioning political and social systems. Seeking answers through interaction between a variety of disciplines, Eurac develops concrete solutions for regional problems which can then be applied globally. They continually strive to open new paths with science and innovation, by responding to society’s complex questions with answers geared to the needs of people.
The research of the Institute of Alpine Environment focuses on a better understanding of the spatiotemporal patterns of biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services in mountain areas. This includes monitoring activities, conceptual work and applied case studies. Their main research aims are:
1) To survey the inventory of nature in South Tyrol (I) and to provide a long-term strategic approach to biodiversity monitoring and related research.
2) To better understand the impacts of land use and climate change on ecosystem functioning, species distributions, and the capacity of ecosystems to provide multiple ecosystem services.
3) To inform and support decision-making and governance with evidence-based information to facilitate adaptation and transformative processes towards sustainable territorial development in mountain areas.
Local, national and international collaboration across scientific disciplines is of central importance for Eurac’s research and work. Likewise, they are concerned with a broad range of spatial scales, from the plot to the ecosystem and the landscape level.
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