Open research Europe最新文献

Hydrogen is gaining prominence as a key enabler in the global shift toward low-carbon energy systems, yet its role in heating-particularly in residential, commercial, and industrial contexts-remains underdeveloped. This paper explores the potential of hydrogen-based technologies to decarbonize heating, focusing on technological innovations, economic feasibility, and regulatory frameworks. Drawing on a comprehensive review of literature, policy documents, and case studies such as the EU-supported H2Heat project, the paper examines developments in hydrogen production, storage, and distribution, with a special emphasis on green hydrogen and its integration into Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems and heat pump technologies. The findings demonstrate the quick advancements in infrastructure prepared for hydrogen, electrolyzer efficiency, and renewable energy-based hybrid energy systems. High costs, infrastructure retrofitting, safety issues, and regulatory fragmentation are still problems, though. Hydrogen heating has a lot of potential, especially for hard-to-electrify industries and seasonal storage requirements, the study concludes, but its success hinges on concerted policy action, investment incentives, and international cooperation. By providing strategic recommendations for scaling hydrogen heating solutions and establishing them as a feasible part of sustainable energy transitions, the paper adds to the current conversation.

Impactful knowledge generation and utilisation, aiming at addressing environmental and sustainability challenges, requires meaningful interaction between scientists, stakeholders, policymakers and society. This study identifies key success factors and challenges at the science-policy-practice interaction, drawing on document analysis, interviews, and workshops involving experts, policymakers, and funders of environmental and sustainability research and innovation across 14 European countries. Experiences from current practices highlight the highly variable contexts for interaction and communication throughout Europe, a diverse range of tools and approaches, and differing levels of available resources. Siloed structures and the need to engage various societal sectors and levels of governance remain significant challenges. The development and employment of expertise in communication, interaction and knowledge co-creation, capable to orchestrate this variability, is essential. Greater recognition of the diverse dimensions of inclusive participation is proposed to ensure that environmental and sustainability research and innovation, aimed at societal transformation, leaves no one behind.

This paper examines the intersection of Roma heritage, community development and tourism dynamics, with a particular focus on rural contexts, by exploring the areas of preservation, representation, promotion and potential economic development. This study forms part of a wider research initiative within the SECreTour project, which explores how cultural heritage can stimulate sustainable and equitable tourism development. A comparative, problem-oriented literature review focusing on Roma heritage-based cultural tourism initiatives in the CEE region is conducted to identify bottom-up initiatives, conceptual models, key heritage elements, and recommendations associated with Roma tourism offerings. In addition to examining these frameworks, the study maps top-down approaches by analysing European strategies, programs and projects targeting Roma heritage and tourism. Among the case studies examined, one pilot will analyse efforts to preserve and promote Roma heritage in Tomor and the surrounding villages located in a disadvantaged, peripheral region in North-eastern Hungary. These initiatives focus on various forms of intangible heritage, such as gastronomy, music and storytelling, as well as socio-cultural activities like participatory video production and extracurricular educational programs. Based on the collected data, the paper will establish an analytical framework for understanding Roma heritage tourism and its potential for sustainable community development.

The emergence of Web 3.0 and the Metaverse marks a transformative shift in the evolution of the internet and digital ecosystems. This paper explores the foundational principles of decentralization, user autonomy, and data transparency that underpin Web 3.0 technologies, including blockchain, smart contracts, and digital wallets. We analyze how these innovations are reshaping business models, enabling new forms of value creation, and redefining digital ownership and governance. In parallel, we examine the Metaverse as a virtual, immersive environment integrating Web 3.0 infrastructure, and its potential to revolutionize sectors such as logistics, education, finance, and data management. The study also highlights the critical role of a holistic framework encompassing technological, economic, and legal pillars. A special focus is given to data provenance, privacy-preserving computation, and the need for coherent regulatory strategies in light of GDPR, the AI Act, and the Data Act ( European Parliament, 2016; European Parliament, 2023; European Parliament, 2024). Finally, we identify emerging challenges related to NFT authenticity, system sustainability, and user experience, proposing a multidisciplinary and lean governance approach to guide future developments.

Background: Seaports constitute strategic nodes in global supply chains and play a central role in the ongoing digital and green transition. Technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability in logistics. However, their successful deployment depends not only on technological maturity but also on effective governance frameworks and coordinated stakeholder engagement. The 5G-LOGINNOV project addressed this intersection between innovation and governance by linking technical experimentation with policy learning to support the transition toward smart ports.

Methods: The study employed an integrated methodological framework that combines the Collaborative Governance Regime (CGR) with the GUEST lean business methodology. This approach facilitates sustained multi-stakeholder collaboration and ensures that experimental outcomes are translated into validated business models and policy recommendations. Empirical evidence was collected from three Living Labs-Athens, Hamburg, and Koper-through workshops, interviews, and surveys involving private and public sector actors.

Results: The integrated CGR-GUEST approach led to the co-creation of policy frameworks guiding 5G deployment in ports and hinterland networks. It identified major implementation barriers-technical, infrastructural, regulatory, and organizational-and produced actionable recommendations to address them. The framework also enhanced the comparability of pilot results and supported the translation of innovation outcomes into policy-relevant insights.

Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that 5G deployment in logistics is not merely a technological endeavor but a governance challenge. By integrating structured governance mechanisms with lean innovation tools, the proposed framework bridges experimentation and policy, offering a replicable model for aligning disruptive technologies with broader sustainability and competitiveness objectives.

Mediterranean Cultural Heritage (MCH) has become increasingly prominent within European cultural policy and identity-building strategies. This article explores how MCH has been addressed in European initiatives and academic research, combining qualitative analysis of institutional and policy frameworks with bibliometric network analysis. The study focuses on three main areas: the role of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in heritage-related actions; the presence of MCH in two key European initiatives - the European Heritage Label and the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe; and the identification of trends in European academic production since the launch of the Barcelona Process in 1995. Findings show that MCH has been mobilised as a tool for cultural diplomacy, regional cooperation, and the promotion of shared values, although its representation often remains implicit and fragmented. While initiatives such as the Day of the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue highlight growing recognition of Mediterranean diversity, challenges persist concerning Eurocentrism, limited inclusivity, and instrumentalisation of heritage. Bibliometric analysis also reveals a strong focus on themes such as sustainability, climate change, and intangible heritage, with the Mediterranean Diet emerging as a particularly influential topic. The article concludes that MCH is increasingly used to support European identity narratives and regional engagement, yet calls for more integrated and participatory approaches that reflect the complexity of the Mediterranean space and its diverse cultural legacies.

Background: Nanofillers improve polyurethane (PU) foam properties, such as thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal and chemical stability, and reduce swelling. Mechanical reworking is used to shape nano-enabled PU foam material, which can result in emissions and inhalation exposure. Released fragments containing nanofillers can pose an increased risk, particularly due to inhalation exposure. This study investigates emissions from cutting bio-based composite PU panels containing functionalized silica, GasBeton ^®, and Diatomite nanofillers, and assesses the conditions of use (CoU) for the cutting process.

Methods: Concentrations were measured at the cutting site (near field; NF) and far field (FF). Process-specific concentrations were calculated for the NF and FF concentrations, and mass balance was used to calculate the cutting process emissions. The CoU assessment was conducted using the emission component with the highest risk potential. The CoU was specified as the maximum cutting rate (m ²/min) under reasonable worst-case (RWC) operational conditions where the NF concentration is <0.5×OEL and <1×OEL.

Results: Cutting released mainly inhalable particles, with a geometric mass mean diameter of 10 µm. Aggregated average cutting emissions were 410±65 µg/min, resulting in an emission factor of 4600±730 µg/m ² when using a unit density for mass concentration calculation (precautionary approach). Under RWC conditions (room volume 100 m ³, particle loss rate 2 1/h, NF volume 8 m ³, worker in NF, and air mixing flow between NF and FF 9.6 m ³/min), chemical-specific hazard communication is sufficient action if the cutting rate is <1.42 m ²/min, corresponding to 210 cut panels during an 8-hour work shift. The maximum cutting rate resulting in NF concentration <1×OEL was 2.84 m ²/min (420 panels).

Conclusions: This study presents a method for assessing emission rates in real working conditions and quantifying broadly applicable CoU. The assessment complies with the REACH legislation criteria given for chemical safety assessment.

In an effort to assist higher education institutions in becoming more inclusive of all student populations, universities are continuously reviewing their practices and policies on student diversity and inclusion. The INSTADINE rubric was developed to assist universities in assessing their practices on student diversity and inclusion in the areas of philosophy and mission, strategies, teaching, research and support services, and leadership. Each of these dimensions has a scale ranging from 1 ( institutionalisation to some extent) to 3 ( full institutionalisation) with descriptors for each score. The INSTADINE rubric has been incorporated to help universities identify their current level of attention to student diversity and inclusion in higher education, as well as to highlight areas needing further attention. The INSTADINE rubric can be available on request at mistryhemendra2015@gmail.com.

Background: Performance management systems (PMS) in public sector networks face unique challenges due to distributed governance, heterogeneous actors, and evolving policy priorities. While collaborative networks are increasingly central to policy implementation, little is known about how PMS evolve in such settings. This paper investigates the longitudinal evolution of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), the world's largest public network supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), over fifteen years, offering new insights into PMS as socio-technical systems.

Methods: The study employs a qualitative, longitudinal single-case design, using abductive reasoning. Data collection combined extensive archival analysis (calls for proposals, grant agreements, evaluation reports, coordination artefacts) with direct observation of network routines and governance arenas. Coding was conducted in iterative stages-open, axial, and selective-to identify recurrent dynamics, triggers of PMS change, and building blocks of system evolution.

Results: Findings reveal that the EEN's PMS evolved through five phases, shifting from activity/output-based reporting to a client-journey logic that captures SME achievements, impact, and cross-consortia contributions. Evolution occurred in episodic cycles rather than continuous adaptation, with contractual boundaries fixing indicators within multiannual programmes. Redesign was triggered by external forces and enacted through governance arenas. A generic three-layer framework is developed, comprising contextual triggers, lifecycle phases, and building blocks.

Conclusions: The study demonstrates that PMS in public sector networks evolve as socio-technical systems shaped by external triggers, bounded lifecycles, and building blocks. This reframes PMS not as static indicator sets nor as continuously adaptive systems, but as episodic, governed design processes that balance accountability, collaboration, and learning. The proposed framework is transferable to other public sector networks and provides actionable guidance for policymakers and managers seeking to design performance systems that capture the value of coordination and co-production in complex, multi-actor environments.

Background: Citizen science is increasingly recognized as a valuable scientific approach across disciplines, contexts, and research areas. However, its rapid expansion and diverse methodologies make it challenging to establish a single definition or universal criteria for what constitutes citizen science. This paper introduces the ECSA Characteristics of Citizen Science, offering a nuanced exploration of the field to support stakeholders, including policymakers and research funders, in understanding and applying citizen science effectively.

Methods: We developed the ECSA Characteristics through a vignette study, a survey method that captures diverse perspectives on complex topics. We then reviewed the ECSA 10 Principles of Citizen Science, a broad framework for best practices in citizen science, to identify its gaps and limitations, showing how the ECSA Characteristics can help address them.

Results: The results highlight the disciplinary distinctions as well as ambiguities surrounding various citizen science practices. Two challenges exist when defining citizen science. A very strict definition could exclude valuable practices, hindering innovation and discouraging public participation. Conversely, a loose definition might make it difficult for specific audiences to apply it effectively in their own contexts. Therefore, it is beneficial to adopt an inclusive approach and language that allows the audience to define its own criteria depending on its needs, intended use and specific circumstances.

Conclusions: The ECSA Characteristics were developed in a spirit of openness; identifying areas with diverse and even conflicting views was central to this practice. We recommend their use as a whole set and contend that no one area or characteristic is more important than the other. They should be considered as a toolkit with examples that can guide efforts towards defining citizen science for a specific context and purpose. They are built on the ECSA 10 Principles, addressing some of their gaps and limitations, while at the same time acknowledging the need to update and improve the 10 Principles based on developments in the field.