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Who we are
The Mediterranean Institute for Environmental Studies (MIOS) was founded in 2018. The interdisciplinary research group combines biological and life sciences with sciences in the field of social sciences and humanities and actively connects with other institutes of ZRS Koper.
Competences and achievements
Through targeted research, MIOS promotes excellence and responsibility. The Institute’s researchers are engaged in environmental and other interdisciplinary national and international research projects in the field of sustainable development, co-create scientific and professional results, and organize and participate in scientific and professional meetings and trainings. The Institute’s research areas are primarily focused on the Mediterranean area.
Mission and vision
The vision of MIOS is to become a reference center for responsible research and innovation that addresses the environmental and other dimensions of the sustainable development of the Mediterranean area in an integral way. We believe that human communities must be aware of the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change, conserve biodiversity, and restore and maintain ecosystem services provided by natural ecosystems. Our mission is to encourage this and strengthen the sustainable aspects of coexistence through research. In order to strengthen the awareness that humans are part of ecosystems, and to promote a different, more sustainable attitude towards the environment, it is necessary to include social and especially environmental responsibility in education, research and innovation.
In order to follow this vision, we place the research contribution of MIOS in the following areas:
sustainable management of natural resources, conservation and restoration of ecosystems, both terrestrial and marine;
integrative evaluation of ecosystem services, creation of payment schemes for ecosystem services;
exploring the different dimensions of biodiversity and its benefits for humans; climate change mitigation and adaptation;
circular economy and the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon society;
Mediterranean sustainable lifestyle and heritage preservation; sustainable management of the countryside and cities of the coastal areas of the Mediterranean, with the aim of increasing their functionality, resilience and adaptability.
Head: Dr Jerneja Penca, Senior Research Associate