Abbreviation EURAC Purpose Applied research | Formation 1992 Headquarters Bozen | |
Services Applied research on Autonomies, Health, Mountains and Technologies Official language English, German, Italian | ||
The European Academy of Bozen/Bolzano (German Europäische Akademie Bozen, Italian Accademia Europea di Bolzano, ladin Academia Europeica de Bulsan), EURAC for short, is a private research center headquartered in Bozen, South Tyrol. The center has eleven institutes organized into four research areas: autonomies, mountains, technology and health. EURAC has around 200 partners spread across 50 countries. EURAC collaborates with international organizations such as the Alpine and Carpathian Conventions, UNEP and UNIDO in the context of sustainable development and energy technology, and also hosts the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention at its headquarters in Bolzano/Bozen. Core funding is provided by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen, with additional financing coming from membership fees and European project funds.
Contents
Institutes and research areas
Autonomies Researchers in this area contribute to studies on autonomous systems of government and cultural-linguistic diversity, which include the integration of new minorities, multilingualism policy, the management of multilevel government and public management.
Mountains Researchers work for the environmental, social and economic development of mountain areas. Scientists use satellite data and ground measurements to develop climate change models for individual valleys, which are in turn shared with European research partners to define common scenarios. They investigate climate and ecosystems, the interaction between urban and rural areas, agricultural and socio-economic development, and the impact of tourism and transportation on environment and society. Academics describe the past changes that have occurred in the Alpine region and forecast future changes. They also carry out research on climate change, natural hazards, traffic flows and depopulation to give politicians and administrators tools to plan for a more sustainable development of mountain areas.
Technology Researchers study solar energy technologies in order to protect natural resources and improve quality of life. This includes the heating and cooling of buildings, integration of solar energy systems in a building’s architecture, and the energy-efficient retrofit of historic buildings. Although buildings are the base unit of study, researchers also design low-energy solutions for neighborhoods and cities. Experts test, monitor and develop technologies for companies, public administration and individual citizens.
Health Subjects of specialization include neuromedicine, cardiovascular disease, mountain emergency medicine and paleopathology. Research projects combine methodologies from different fields such as biostatistics, epidemiology, bioinformatics and nanotechnology. Research projects have a strong link with regional concerns. For example, hypothermia studies are conducted to increase the chances of survival for mountain accident victims, and analyses of Ötzi (the glacial mummy discovered in the Ötztal Alps) further paleopathological research in South Tyrol.
Research infrastructure
Ancient DNA Laboratory: The lab is used by the Institute for Mummies and the Iceman for molecular analyses of ancient human remains. Researchers study Ötzi the Iceman and other mummies from around the world to understand their genomics and study ancient pathogens. Biomedicine Laboratory: This lab of the Center for Biomedicine facilitates epidemiological and biomedical studies. The building contains traditional biomolecular equipment and is also home to a next-generation DNA sequencer. Solar Technology and Building Envelope Laboratory: Located in the industrial area of Bozen, the laboratory of the Institute for Renewable Energy is a performance testing site for photovoltaic modules, solar thermal systems, as well as traditional and innovative building components that integrate these solar energy systems. Tests are carried out as part of research projects or at the request of companies that produce or market the products. Satellite Receiving Station: The satellite receiving station of the Institute for Remote Sensing is located on the Horn of Renon (2,360 meters above sea level). The station receives real-time optical data from three satellites: NASA's Terra, Aqua and Suomi NPP. The Institute converts the data into maps in order to observe environmental phenomenon in the region.
Headquarters
Since 2002 EURAC has been headquartered in a building known locally as the "ex–GIL”, situated near the downtown core of Bolzano at the confluence of the Talvera and Isarco rivers. The complex was built in the 1930s to house the Gioventù italiana del littorio (GIL) (English: Italian Youth of the Lictor), a youth movement of the National Fascist Party of Italy. Following the war and the fall of Mussolini, the building was renamed the "ex-GIL" and over the years has housed a cinema, a supermarket and shop, eventually falling into decline. In the early 1990s a decision was made to renovate the property to accommodate the newly established research center. In 1995, Graz architect Klaus Kada won an international competition for the building’s redesign. Kada maintained the heritage of the building by supplementing it with new glassed-in structures; the renovation of the facade brought back its original Pompeian red color. The building uses renewable energy and has absorption chillers for air conditioning.
History
EURAC was founded in 1992. In its early years, twelve employees carried out research on language and law, alpine environment, minorities and autonomy. The first major project was a feasibility study for the foundation of a new university in Bozen, completed in 1997. Over the years, the scope of research expanded to include management and corporate culture, genetic medicine, and renewable energy. In 2009 the Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine was opened, followed by the Center for Biomedicine in 2011.