Valentina Bergonzi

Eurac Research is a private research centre, established in 1992 in Bolzano. Our research activity is rooted in local issues which are then developed on a global level, thanks to a multidisciplinary approach and an international vision. Studies focus on issues that affect people, their health and the environment around them, with the aim of improving life in the societies of the future. Often, in response to regional problems, the centre develops concrete solutions that can be applied in different contexts, exploring new avenues based on interdisciplinarity and scientific excellence. Today, Eurac Research has more than 500 employees from over 25 countries. Initially, Eurac Research focused its activities in the fields of languages and law, minorities and autonomy, and the Alpine environment. Over time, the centre has extended its research to new disciplines related to medicine and environmental technologies, attracting researchers from all over the world and opening new laboratories and facilities. Today Eurac Research is part of an international research network with partners in more than 50 countries. The centre collaborates with the United Nations University and hosts one of its European offices. It works with organisations such as the Alpine Convention, the Carpathian Convention, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the European Space Agency (ESA) as well as other space agencies on issues related to sustainable development. It also cooperates with the Council of Europe and other European institutions on autonomy models and minority rights. At the local level, Eurac Research supports the health sector in public health programmes and advises the provincial administration in various research fields. The centre is one of the partners of NOI Techpark - a science and technology park based in South Tyrol operating in technology-oriented sectors, and a support based incubator for numerous companies in their research and development activities.