Project overview
INSPIRATION is a multidisciplinary, European Innovative Training Network (ITN), which combines world-leading scientists and other sector specialists in the fields of agriculture, environmental sciences, environmental monitoring, decision-making and early-stage researchers (ESRs).
The aim of the network is to address four critical technical, environmental and socio-economic issues facing the sustainable intensification of agriculture (SIA) in Europe today. These are:
- The need to protect, maintain and improve soil and water resources, required by EU Directives (Water Framework Directive (WFD), Nitrates, Groundwater).
- The need for synergistic and holistic on-farm management practices to mitigate environmental impacts from agriculture for sustainable intensification, supporting EU policy goals on food security, resource conservation, renewable energy and climate change.
- The legacy of environmental damage from agricultural production in Europe which limits the socio-economic wellbeing and sustainable development of Member States.
- A chronic shortage of skilled professionals trained in this area to address these challenges.
With the aim of ‘Managing soil and groundwater impacts from agriculture for sustainable intensification’(INSPIRATION), the outcomes from this ITN will influence management practice, decision-making and policy commitments for the WFD and other EU legislation, and significantly progress the state-of-the-art in the agri-environmental management field.
Within an interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial training environment, INSPIRATION will train 15 ESRs in cutting edge research skills and innovative approaches to prepare them for careers as independent scientists or practitioners in the agri-environmental management and related sectors.