In April, an esteemed team representing the C2IMPRESS consortium participated in the European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2024. Prof. Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão and Dr. Julia Hall from Meteoceanics Institute for Complex System Science, on behalf of the C2IMPRESS Project, attended and presented two significant research papers at the event on April 17th and 18th.
The General Assembly 2024 of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) is open to scientists of all nations. The EGU aims to provide a forum where scientists, especially early career researchers, can present their work and discuss their ideas with experts in all fields of geoscience. We had a one-on-one conversation with Prof. Dr. Rui following the event, where he discussed the presentations and shared his thoughts on the event as a whole.
The first presentation of the C2IMPRESS team was titled "Information Physical Quantum Technological Intelligence (IPQuTI) for Global High-Resolution Anticipatory Multi-Hazard Sensing, Modelling and Decision Support," co-authored with Dr. Julia Hall. In this presentation, they discussed the latest results of their pioneering information physical quantum technologies for multi-hazard system dynamic intelligence, covering aspects such as sensing, analytics, computation, and decision support. These technologies, ranging from Earth to Space, represent groundbreaking advances in research, development, and innovation. Dr. Perdigão highlighted that they are the first team in the world to have mastered the seamless synergistic integration among information physics, quantum technology, earth system sciences and multi-hazards, thereby producing an unrivaled system dynamic engine for taking the quantum pulse to the pressing challenges of this planet. More importantly, this work empowers informed action in complex operational theatres, contributing to disaster risk reduction and enhancing resilience in a rapidly changing world, which are key missions for C2IMPRESS.
The second presentation was on "Unfolding the Manifold Flavours of Causality," by Dr. Perdigão. In this paper, he introduced novel methods, perspectives, and technologies that enhance the robustness and physical consistency in producing causal evidence. This approach strengthens the quest for truth across various fields, including scientific research, consultancy, forensic investigation, multi-hazard insurance, civil protection, and environmental resilience. Dr. Perdigão's work spans fundamental science, technological development, and entrepreneurial action for the public good, from the lab to the field. He emphasised that the presentation was made possible thanks to the session convener's invitation, which allowed him to submit more than one first-authored abstract.
When asked about the connection between these research presentations and the C2IMPRESS Project, Dr. Perdigão explained that C2IMPRESS empowers the entire value-generating cycle, from fundamental theoretical and methodological advances to real-world applications. He noted that the advances reported in these presentations provide crucial technological and methodological value, which enhances operational model development for the System-of-Systems for Multi-hazard Risk Intelligence, a project that his team at Synergistic Manifolds (MET) is leading.
Reflecting on the key highlights and insights gained from attending EGU24, Dr. Perdigão mentioned that the various Earth Sciences communities have a long history of cooperation, and each year they continue to cross-fertilise with other scientific disciplines. This trend is not only visible in Earth Sciences but also in disciplines like advanced mathematics, physics, computer science, and socio-environmental sciences, where Dr. Perdigão and his team are deeply involved.
Regarding noteworthy findings and emerging trends in the field, Dr. Perdigão observed the mass adoption of information technologies across geosciences, especially through machine learning (ML), deep learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). While these technologies have traditionally been prominent in specific divisions, they are now widespread throughout the EGU community. At the same time, more technically advanced divisions, such as the ones Dr. Perdigão is involved in, continue to push the boundaries of Earth and Space Sciences by developing foundational methods and enabling technologies. He mentioned that earlier efforts by his team in pioneering Information Physical Artificial Intelligence (IPAI) and Earth System Dynamic Intelligence (ESDI) are now more accessible to a broader community as these advanced technologies become more widespread. As developments in SoS4MHRIN continue to unfold, the EGU community is gradually becoming more prepared to embrace and adopt the advances of C2IMPRESS.
Finally, Dr. Perdigão explained how the C2IMPRESS project is relevant to conferences like EGU24 and how it benefits professionals in the industry. C2IMPRESS provides integrated solutions across the value chain, from fundamental scientific methodologies to real-world applications. As the project matures, it continues to provide added value by raising awareness, improving knowledge, and offering actionable insights and tools. These tools help support decision-making in disaster risk management, preparedness, and resilience building, which are of paramount importance to the project and the broader community, from academia to industry, and most importantly, in serving the wider public.
About Dr. Rui A. Pita Perdigão:
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 the 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 Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) Research and Innovation Actions under grant agreement No 101074004. 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.