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Cologne International Forum

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International Research Cluster 2024/25

EnviroLink: Linking Research, Education, and Technology in Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences

Director: Christina Bogner

This project seeks to advance interdisciplinary teaching and research in environmental sciences, with a strong emphasis on integrating innovative technologies, fostering cross-departmental collaboration, and exploring both historical and contemporary environmental studies in Georgia. Given Georgia's unique geology, diverse ecosystems, and the significant impacts of climate change, there is an urgent need for an interdisciplinary approach to address these complex environmental challenges. The IRC will build on the established collaboration between the University of Cologne (UoC) and Ilia State University (ISU), formalized by the 2023 MoU, to develop a master's program in interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences at ISU, inspired by UoC’s successful IMES program. A key initiative is the creation of an Immersive Environment Lab, which will enhance interactive earning and serve as a model for integrating virtual reality into environmental education. The project also addresses contemporary issues, such as the unstudied problem of microplastic pollution in Georgia, aiming to build local capacity for environmental analysis and research. Additionally, it will investigate historical pollution related to ancient settlements, leveraging years of joint research in Western Georgia. Together, these initiatives aim to deepen understanding, build capacity, and promote sustainable development in the region.
 

Subprojects

The Research Cluster comprises 3 projects:
 
Subproject 1: Teaching interdisciplinary environmental sciences at ISU and UoC This project will develop a master’s program in interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences at ISU, create an Immersive Environmental Lab module, and strengthen ties between ISU and UoC through workshops, knowledge exchange, and collaborative events.
Subproject 2: 2. Capacity building in environmental contamination research - plastic as a main contaminant of the 21st Century This project will identify microplastic pollution hotspots along the lower Rioni River, enhance Georgia's laboratory and fieldwork capacities for microplastic analysis, and study the transport and distribution of microplastics near the Samtredia dumpsite.
Subproject 3: Human adaptation and anthropogenic influence on a changing landscape in the Late Holocene This project will study past environmental changes in the Black Sea region, focusing on human impact, settlement distribution, arable land, and geochemical evidence of climate change and metallurgical pollution, pioneering this approach in the Caucasus.
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