SEA-EU Alliance was the organizer of the session: “Building a vision for future research and innovation in the blue economy” that was held as a part of the WIRE conference in Split (Thursday, 5th November, 2020). This session was organized in order to contribute to the building of the vision for future research and innovation in the blue economy from the point of view of one of pioneering European University alliance, European University of the Seas (SEA-EU).
WIRE conference – Week of Innovative Regions in Europe was organized online due to specific circumstances of the COVID 19 pandemic. Almost 700 domestic and foreign participants are taking part in the conference, which will host numerous lectures and discussions by top European experts in science and practical work, having to do with research results, innovation and regional development.
SEA-EU Session brief:
Marine scientists, innovators and other experts are searching for a holistic view of how the ocean functions, how we can understand human interactions with the ocean; and what solutions are available to support both sustainable use and stewardship of our blue planet. How does the vision of future research in blue bio-economy looks like? The aim of this session is to discuss new and future value chain opportunities with potential for growth and to deploy future thinking tools to build anticipatory intelligence about innovations and how these can be used to exploit marine resources in a sustainable manner.
Introduction and moderation: g. Boris Golob, Director of The Science and Technology Park of the University of Rijeka (Step Ri) https://hr.linkedin.com/in/golob/hr
Speakers:
- Dr Tanja Šegvić Bubić, scientist at Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Laboratory of Aquaculture, Split
- Dr Pilar Blanco, Diversification Department, NAVANTIA (SEPI Group)
- Jeremie BAZIN, Coordinator of Campus Mondial de la Mer
- Hanna Łądkowska, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, the University of Gdansk
Four key messages/bullet points of the session
- Building the bridge between research, knowledge and society and technology transfer is a base for innovation
- There are some sectors identified as the possible niches od specific knowledge: using the aquaculture and artificial intelligence in bio economy, and also connecting of the IT, food or health with oceans as a possible innovation opportunity
- As a niche in the context of specific knowledge and skills in this area, a open mind way of thinking and a proactive approach was identified as needed for the future
- As an innovation opportunity for sustainable exploitation of marine resources: more sustainable materials that are not going to be a waste were identified from the business sector as a line that seeks for more investments.
“There are no innovations if there is no bridge between knowledge and society”.
Jeremie Bazin