Aquatic and Coastal Ecosystems: Challenges and Opportunities towards Sustainable Development

From November 16th to 17th 2023, the EU-CONEXUS Research Conference on “Aquatic and Coastal Ecosystems: Challenges and Opportunities towards Sustainable Development” will be held in Rostock, Germany. This conference aims to facilitate the convergence of diverse research communities associated with our partner institutions.

The call for abstracts is open to researchers from EU-CONEXUS partner institutions and beyond to foster collaboration and exchange of knowledge on subjects related to the sustainability of coastal regions which are of mutual significance.

Aquatic and Coastal Ecosystems: Challenges and Opportunities towards Sustainable Development

Countdown until the event

Important dates

8th of September 2023Deadline of Abstracts’ Submission 
18th of September 2023Abstracts Evaluation 
19th of September 2023 Announcement of results (Oral – Poster) & Funding 
16th of November 2023Deadline of Presentations’ & Posters’ Submission 
16th to 17th of November 2023EU-CONEXUS Research Conference in Rostock 

Scientific domains

LIFE SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

Recent advances of Life Sciences and Biotechnology on Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS), with special focus (but not limited to) on novel biotechnological applications based on aquatic and coastal environments, on recent advances in aquaculture, fish nutrition and welfare, on biology, genetics, physiology and immunology of aquatic and coastal species and on big data processing.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND BIODIVERSITY

The connectivity between terrestrial and marine environments through the riverine and estuarine continuums is a subject of study ranging from ecology to economy. Understanding the impact of land use and climate on water quality and the services provided by aquatic ecosystems is a key aspect of this research, as it reflects the intricate relationships between human activities and the natural environment. The restoration of aquatic and wetland ecosystems along these continuums is the key activity aiming to protect and improve the ecosystem services and societal goods and benefits, while the nature-based solutions are the ultimate tools to achieve these goals.

COASTAL ENGINEERING

The engineering topics related to water and aquatic and coastal ecosystems concerned in the framework of Coastal Engineering Institute are Coastal Geomorphology, Coastal Planning and Infrastructure, Marine and Maritime Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Pollution, Water Resources & Management for urban resilience, Natural Hazards (Storms, Floods etc.) and Water – Energy Nexus.

SOCIAL CULTURE AND HUMAN SCIENCES

Connections between water and society. Focus on linking scientific knowledge with social, cultural, and ethical insights, to deeper understand the complexity and significance of life in even the smallest water habitats. Holistic understanding of the ecological, social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of water microcosm.

The multifaceted role of water in education. The importance of provision, accessibility and quality to the health, attendance and overall well-being of students and teachers, to global perspectives and to sustainable practices.

Holistic approaches towards effective management of natural water resources by balancing economic development, tourism, and cultural heritage preservation to achieve the protection of water and of coastal invaluable ecosystems. Decision-making processes towards environmental sustainability, social equity and economic viability.

Call for abstracts

To submit their abstract, presenters are requested to fill the Registration Form and tick the box: Call for Abstracts

Researchers (Presenters) are kindly asked to submit their topic abstracts no later than 8th of September 2023.     

For detailed guidelines on abstract submission, please refer to the "Instructions for Abstract Submission" document.

The abstracts’ evaluation will be carried out by our Scientific Committee comprising the following researchers:

Prof Ingrid Arnaudin

LRUniv

Prof Emmanouil Malandrakis

AUA

Prof Jeronimo Chirivella

UCV

Prof Artūras Razinkovas-Baziukas

KU

Prof Zoran Šikić

UNIZD

Dr Dragos Gaitanaru

UTCB

Prof Alan Davy

SETU

Prof Bettina Eichler-Löbermann

UROS

Prof Maria Rikkou-Kalourkoti

FredU

Funding opportunities

Mobility grants can be allocated for speakers and participants.  

For individuals coming from EU-CONEXUS Plus partners, please contact your university representative available here.

For individuals NOT coming from EU-CONEXUS Plus partners, please contact eu-conexus@uni-rostock.de

Programme

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH (HanseMesse, Rostock)

08:45 – 09:00 Welcome & Introduction. Representatives from University La Rochelle and University Rostock

09:00 – 10:30     Keynotes and Presentations I: Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability

11:00 – 12:30     Keynotes and Presentations II: Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability

14:00 – 17/18:00   Parallel Sessions on:

  • Life Sciences and Biotechnology
  • Environmental Sciences and Biodiversity
  • Coastal Engineering
  • Social, Culture and Human Sciences

From 18:30   Evening Reception at City Hall with Welcome Address by Eva-Maria Kröger, Mayoress, Hanseatic and University City of Rostock

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH (City Hall, Rostock)

09:00 – 09:15        Ute Fischer-Gäde, Senator for Infrastructure, Environment and Construction, City of Rostock (TBC)

09:15 – 09:45        Oliver Zielinski, Director, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW)

10:00 – 18:00        Parallel Sessions: EU-CONEXUS Joint Research Institutes

  • Life Sciences and Biotechnology Institute
  • Environmental Sciences and Biodiversity Institute
  • Coastal Engineering Institute
  • Social, Culture and Human Sciences Institute

Arriving in Rostock

Discover our tips to ensure a remarkable and hassle-free visit to the captivating city of Rostock. 

How to get to Rostock?

Airport Lübeck:

  • By car on the A20 direction Rostock
  • By train buying the tickets on the website of the Deutsche Bahn

Airport Berlin-Brandenburg Willy Brandt:

  • By car on the A113, A111, A24 and A19 direction Hamburg/Rostock
  • By train buying the tickets on the website of the Deutsche Bahn

Airport Hamburg:

  • By car on the A20 direction Lübeck/Rostock
  • B train buying the tickets on the website of the Deutsche Ban

Where to stay? Possible hotels in the city centre...

joint-service structure image

How to move around?

The main building of the University of Rostock and the Town Hall are at walking distance in the city centre

The Rotunde of the HanseMesse can be reached from the city centre e.g. by taking the tram 1 or 5 to “Holbeinplatz” and changing there to take the S-Bahn (regional train) direction Warnemünde, exiting at “Rostock-Lütten Klein”

Reaching the sea and Rostock’s seaside resort Warnemünde with public transport also means taking the tram 1 or 5 to “Holbeinplatz” and changing there to take the S-Bahn (regional train) direction Warnemünde, exiting at “Warnemünde”

Registration

If you encounter any technical difficulties please contact fparad@aua.gr