Overview
The Centre operates within the Faculty of Geography at the University of Bucharest and aims to advance knowledge of environmental dynamics in order to address complex contemporary problems that require an interdisciplinary approach. This objective is pursued through fundamental theoretical and applied research, particularly by developing advanced methods for the spatial and temporal analysis of terrestrial and coastal territorial systems, including from the perspective of risk and the adaptation of human communities to risk. An important component is the development of algorithms and simulation software designed to identify and reduce vulnerability and risk effects arising from human-environment interactions.
Within the Centre, permanent and associated personnel carry out their activity:
- teaching staff from the Faculty of Geography, the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, the Faculty of Psychology and related faculties;
- scientific researchers, engineers, technicians and other specialists engaged in scientific research, design, implementation and related services aligned with the Centre’s research domains;
- teaching associates of the Faculty of Geography;
- doctoral candidates preparing their theses within the Faculty of Geography or at other higher-education institutions in Romania and abroad;
- master’s and undergraduate students from relevant specialisations, faculties and universities, aligned with the Centre’s scientific research domains.
Mission
The Centre’s general objective is to develop internationally competitive fundamental scientific research through collaboration with other research and development institutes in Romania and abroad, while strengthening and diversifying research capacity through the training and promotion of highly qualified scientific and technical personnel.
Research directions
- Vulnerability and risk studies
- Risk perception and adaptation studies
- Development of methods and methodologies for the spatial-temporal assessment of risk and vulnerability in terrestrial environments
- Development of GIS spatial analyses and spatial-temporal modelling
- Proximal remote sensing
- Modelling error propagation in GIS and remote-sensing analyses
Dissemination
The dissemination of research results focuses on publications in ISI-indexed specialist journals, including Risk Analysis: An International Journal, Natural Hazards, Marine Geology, Sedimentology, GeoJournal and Geomorphology, as well as other widely circulated international journals and nationally recognised CNCSIS journals, books and course materials published by nationally recognised (CNCSIS) and international publishers.
Research results have been and continue to be communicated at international conferences organised by recognised scientific bodies in the field and at national conferences.
Research results are continuously implemented in teaching, improving course notes and course syllabi in specialist subjects, and informing the introduction of modern research methods in practical assignments and field research, thereby contributing to human-resource development.