Insectopia - insect biodiversity on university campuses
EU GREEN Work Package 8 on sustainable and healthy campus is currently implementing a project called Insectopia (=contraction of Insect and Utopia). The project seeks to promote biodiversity and campus sustainability through educational and creative activities.
The Insect initiative is designed to support insect biodiversity on university campuses by creating structures made from natural and/or recycled materials. These habitats will provide essential nesting sites, shelter, food sources, and hibernation spots for various insects. The primary objectives of this initiative are to increase campus biodiversity, engage students and staff in educational activities, and promote sustainability using recycled materials.
WP8 is asking for the support of WP3 participants to identify Inspiring Experts: It would be wonderful to identify researchers interested in hosting a webinar on topics related to the role of insects—not just in ecosystems and agriculture, but also in arts, culture, and history. Who knows where this could lead? Such discussions could inspire the creation of "insect utopias" on our campuses, encompassing not only physical spaces but also cultural initiatives, literature, theater, or performances aimed at raising awareness, teaching, or fostering exchange.Would you personally like to host a webinar? What would be the most convenient topic for you? Do you know any colleagues at your institution with diverse expertise who would be interested in hosting a webinar, workshop, session that could fit within INSECTOPIA? From sustainability and environmental sciences to literature and the arts, we welcome a broad range of perspectives.
We will offer a programme of webinars in December - January that will engage and inspire both the academic community and a wider audience. Please update the INSECTOPIA Partners participation and commitments.xlsx with the names, fields of expertise, and potential topics of these experts, along with tentative dates if possible.
For more information, feel free to contact Antonio Roman aroman @ unex.es from the University of Extremadura;, in charge of the project.
