COST in Cyprus – EuroMED 2018 and Info Day

31/10/2018

Representatives from COST and 5 COST Actions travelled to EuroMED 2018 in Nicosia, Cyprus this week for the biannual international conference on digital heritage research. This year’s event, which was held from October 29 to November 3, coincides with the European Year of Cultural Heritage (EYCH) and gave stakeholders the chance to come together and exchange know-how and experiences, as well as discuss current and future developments.

COST Director Ronald de Bruin at EuroMED 2018
COST Director, Ronald de Bruin addressing EuroMED attendees on 30 October 2018

COST has been actively involved in supporting Cultural Heritage; last year bringing 70 figures from the heritage sector, together for COST Connect: Cultural Heritage in the Digital Era. An open forum event held in Brussels to facilitate the exchanging of ideas discussion on impact and cooperation within the field.

COST Actions at EuroMED 2018
Panel discussion- How to overcome the fragmentation of funding for Cultural Heritage research activitity in the context of Horizon Europe?

During the event a dedicated COST session, “How to overcome the fragmentation of funding for Cultural Heritage research activity in the context of Horizon Europe?” was held.  5 COST Actions participated in the debate:

CA17131  – The Soil Science & Archaeo-Geophysics Alliance: going beyond prospection

CA15201  – Archaeological practices and knowledge work in the digital environment

TD1406  – Innovation in Intelligent Management of Heritage Buildings

IS1310  – Reassembling the Republic of Letters, 1500-1800 A digital framework for multi-lateral collaboration on Europe`s intellectual history

TD1201  – Colour and Space in Cultural Heritage

Info Day 

On Wednesday 31 October, researchers and innovators from across Cyprus, gathered for the COST Info Day, held at the Filoxenia Conference Centre in Nicosia.

COST is widely known in the Cypriot research community and as such Cyprus has a strong presence within COST Actions. in 2017 the participation rate was 50% one of the highest for any COST Member. The record participation levels have led to estimats that 1 out of 3 researchers and innovators from the country have benefitted from participating in COST activities.

Attendees at the COST Info Day in Nicosia Cyprus October 31st 2018
Attendees at the COST Info Day in Nicosia Cyprus October 31st 2018

During the Info Day, attendees learnt more about the work of COST, the importance and impact of networking and how COST Actions promote and spread excellence within research and development. Practical advice was also given to attendees on how researchers could prepare proposals for new Actions, or participate in currently running Actions.  Dr Julius Georgiou and Dr Despo Fatta-Kassinos spoke of their personal experiences of successfully coordinating their Actions.

Ms Georgia Kleanthous, from the Research Promotion Foundation, gave a presentation on ‘Networking and career development’ through Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions. Ms Kleanthous is the national contact point for MSCA.