The event brought together researchers from multiple disciplines from the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN), Universidad de Playa Ancha (UPLA), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), Universidad de Valparaíso (UV), Universidad de Atacama (UDA) , the Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA).
Generating a space for discussion and feedback around the work developed during the first cycle of execution of the North Central Ocean Natural Laboratory Node was one of the main objectives of the first inter-institutional face-to-face work meeting of the Node, an activity that for two days brought together the and the associated researchers and technical team from the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo and Valparaíso.
This in-person meeting was an unprecedented opportunity that allowed us to discuss how to delve into the diagnoses, the planning of the Roadmap generated between 2022 and 2023, but also how to address elements of the governance of science and technology in these areas. , and in turn, the international projection of the natural singularities of the ocean of the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo and Valparaíso. An instance that is extremely relevant for the actions that the Node will carry out during this new version. This was stated by Marcelo Olivares Arenas, director of the Ocean Node.
“The relevance is to be able to validate, but also deepen the advances and discussions in an interdisciplinary manner about the work of the Node and in particular what it means to advance in the decentralization and internationalization of scientific activity in the regions of the central north and its coast” Olivares pointed out from the direction of the Node.
Interdisciplinary character
The articulation between different disciplines was essential to work together from oceanography, ecology, law, aquaculture, philosophy and economics. Interdisciplinarity highlighted in the instance, since it facilitates progress towards solving problems that surround natural laboratories. This is emphasized by Dr. Verónica Molina Trincado, alternate director of the Central-Northern Ocean Natural Laboratory Node.
“Interdiscipline in general contributes a lot to the possibility of solving complex problems. The interesting thing about the Ocean Node is that it houses many layers of complexity, from the interaction of the community, the importance given to it by the private sector, the multiple uses that an area has; In the case of the archipelago and the bays, the upwelling zones that are multiple along the coast and that house a diversity of knowledge. Each one from their discipline contributes another component and together we can move forward towards solving problems that cannot be resolved individually,” said the alternate director of the Node.
Projection of work
Wanda García Larraguibel, Area Coordinator of the National Research and Development Agency (ANID), was present on the occasion, in which she referred to the relevance of Natural Laboratories for the development of science and technology in the territories, highlighting the role of the North Central Ocean Natural Laboratory Node to “mobilize actors in the territory based on these themes, coordinate and link them, raise opportunities, challenges and also gaps,” said the ANID professional.
Likewise, Marcelo Olivares Arenas, director of the Node, referred to the expectations surrounding the work for the new 2024-2025 cycle, pointing out that “it is expected to be able to strengthen the articulation of research groups, disciplines and relevant actors in the communities, the administration of the state and the different productive sectors to develop and give relevance to the efforts in science and technology around a roadmap with short, medium and long-term efforts.
The Ocean Node is led by the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN), through its Institute of Public Policies and the Faculty of Marine Sciences UCN, together with the University of Playa Ancha (UPLA), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV ), University of Valparaíso (UV), University of Atacama (UDA), the Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA) and the National Confederation of Artisanal Fishermen of Chile (CONAPACH).
