From December 11–15, 2023, Earth and space scientists and educators from all over the world hosted sessions and town halls as well as presented talks and posters that explore “Wide. Open. Science.” at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Meeting 2023, the world’s largest annual science conference in the field. AGU23 was hosted in San Francisco at the George R. Moscone Convention Center, drawing 25,000+ participants from the worldwide Earth and space sciences community.
Prof. Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão, Director-General, Meteoceanics Institute for Complex System Science, on behalf of the C2IMPRESS Project, presented and convened at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2023, accompanied by Dr. Julia Hall, Senior Research Scientist, Meteoceanics Institute for Complex System Science.
In the following interview with Prof. Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão, we explore his insights and experiences, and uncover a rich tapestry of knowledge and innovation that promises to shape the future landscape of Earth and space sciences.
C2IMPRESS DC&E: Could you please give us a brief idea about your oral and poster presentation(s) at the American Geophysical Union 2023 (AGU23)?
Prof. Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão: Dr. Julia Hall and I, from Meteoceanics Institute for Complex System Science and Synergistic Manifolds (MET) have presented our works “Synergistic Nonlinear Quantum Wave Intelligence Networks (SyNQ-WIN): Theoretical Foundations and Geophysical Applications” at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting 2023.
SynQ-WIN is a suite of novel synergistic nonlinear quantum technologies internally developed at Meteoceanics under the QITES program (Quantum Information Technologies in the Earth Sciences). The recent presentation including several contributions of SynQ-WIN of relevance to C2IMPRESS, including:
- A new Multi-Hazard Intelligence Module providing technological physical support to further empower the development and implementation of the System-of-Systems for Multi-Hazard Risk Intelligence Networks (SoS4MHRIN), in the scope of the namesake Workpackage led by MET at C2IMPRESS;
- Further Emerging Synergies found on updated ESDI and Multi-Hazard experiments leveraging SynQ-WIN;
- Native implementation of nonlinear geophysical analytics and modelling benefitting from the synergy between the quantum properties of the MET QITES platform and the nonlinear capabilities of MET's ESDI platform.
C2IMPRESS DC&E: Tell us about your contribution and experience at the AGU23 as a convenor and presenter in the event.
Prof. Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão: I have co-convened the following, alongside external peers (Prof. Daniel Schertzer, Dr. Julia Stawarz, Dr. Timothy Smith), scientific sessions at the international conference from the American Geophysical Union (AGU23), held in San Francisco and online:
a) NG13A Extreme Variability and Complexity: Bridging Theories and Data-Driven Approaches Across Scales, from Urban Geosciences to the Geospace I Oral
b) NG14A Extreme Variability and Complexity: Bridging Theories and Data-Driven Approaches Across Scales, from Urban Geosciences to the Geospace II Oral
c) NG21B Extreme Variability and Complexity: Bridging Theories and Data-Driven Approaches Across Scales, from Urban Geosciences to the Geospace III Poster
Co-convening sessions in nonlinear geophysics (NG) is always a highly rewarding experience! Firstly, by gathering contributions from research peers across various areas of the geophysical sciences that deal with complex phenomena such as the emergence of multi-hazards, their underlying mechanisms, consequences and multisectoral interactions and impacts. Secondly, by fostering discussion, cross-fertilization and potential collaborations among colleagues coming from various geoscientific disciplines. Thirdly, by empowering promising individuals from underrepresented groups, by giving them voice, stage and constructive feedback, having encouraged e.g. early career researchers to present and discuss their work, instead of going for the classical approach of giving exclusive prominence to more senior researchers. And, by participating in the outstanding student paper award (OSPA) program as a judge/evaluator, providing constructive feedback on both content and form, science and presentation skills so that the students can further grow in their skills and unravel their full potential.
Presenting is naturally a delightful experience as well since communication runs in my blood and I love to share and interact in any setting, be it more technically formal or socially informal. The AGU provides the best of both worlds, as the official scientific sessions are complemented with informal events where further exchange takes place, thereby providing more visibility and potential opportunities to our projects, endeavours and collaborations.
C2IMPRESS DC&E: How do you think events like these have a positive impact on the industry and professionals?
Prof. Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão: Events such as the AGU meetings are fundamentally much more than mere academic events. While academically the best and brightest scholarly research is naturally presented and discussed, there are several opportunities s where scholars can interact with the industry, checking for opportunities and showcasing their ideas with practicioners. From the scientific sessions that are attended not only by academcis but also by industry, authorities and end users, to the interactions taking place at the vast exhibits where industries have their stands showcasing their products and are always eager to engage with researchers in mutually fruitful exchanges of ideas, perspectives, and potential collaborations (e.g. at a publisher, there is the opportunity to engage in a book contract to further elaborate on one’s findings; at a technology company, there is the opportunity to engage in mutually interesting and fruitful joint ventures).
C2IMPRESS DC&E: How, according to you, does the C2IMPRESS project help towards a sustainable and more livable world for the future?
Prof. Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão: I’d say, in manifold ways! Just to mention a few: improving the knowledge, preparedness and awareness of multi-hazards through better information acquisition, analytics and modelling empowers citizens and decision-makers with crucial data, in understandable and usable formats to be deployed in end-products, so that they can make better-informed decisions pertaining the prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and resilience building in their lives and in the livelihoods of their communities.
Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão's bio:
Prof. Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão is the Director-General of the Meteoceanics Institute for Complex System Science and the Chief executive of Synergistic Manifolds. Prof. Perdigão promotes and conducts fundamental research in complex system dynamics across frontier natural, technical and social sciences, along with theoretical information physics, coevolutionary complexity, and causality, ranging from quantum to cosmological scales passing through the intricacies of coevolutionary multi-domain multiscale complexity across the geophysical and socio-environmental dynamics in the Earth system. His theoretical and methodological breakthroughs then come into innovative down-to-earth use in the development of advanced analytics, modelling and decision support frameworks for the institutions entrusted with the protection of our society and the environment.
Prof. Perdigão is also author and co-author of multiple international publications including in Nature and Science, author of several extensive academic and research monographs (books), presenter of dozens of invited keynote talks and seminars at international venues, several other oral communications at international conferences, and over a hundred other contributions. Moreover, he has convened international conference sessions at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and European Geosciences Union (EGU) for several years and has integrated large-scale international scientific networks leading to interactions with over 270 co-authors in journal publications.
Contact Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão : Email
About C2IMPRESS Project:
C2IMPRESS is a three-year-long project funded by the European Commission with a total grant amount above €5 million. The consortium is built with universities, municipalities, and technical and research organisations from international and pan-European partners from Turkey, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, the United Kingdom, and Australia.