Project News

MARGISTAR at the 21st Rural Entrepreneurship Conference: Empowering Rural Futures through Entrepreneurial Potential in a Net-Zero Era 

From June 5 to 7, MARGISTAR’s Anita Busljeta Tonkovic for the fourth time visited the Rural Entrepreneurship Conference at the University of Leeds, England. Although the conference location changes annually, it is host to a regular group of academics who Anita has been meeting and maintaining international scientific collaborations with for years. Read about Anita’s experiences and how these have changed since her first visit as a postdoctoral researcher in 2016.

Exploring the Hidden Part of Croatia: A Short-Term Scientific Mission to Lika, Croatia 

In the period from May 13 to 17, MARGISTAR’s Tamara Jovanović and Igor Ponjiger visited the region of Lika, Croatia. They were invited by the Gospić branch of the Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar and Velebit Nature Park. Over the course of five days, they achieved their scientific goals and got to know a fascinating part of Croatia that is often overlooked. Because their research and interests are closely tied and they have in the past collaborated on several papers within MARGISTAR, they decided to take the trip during the same period. Read on for more about their mission and the experiences they had.

MARGISTAR’s Science Communication is Levelling Up: Meet our SciComm Sub-Group!

We're thrilled to announce MARGISTAR’s latest addition to the project: our brand new Science Communication Team. With diverse backgrounds ranging from seasoned scientists to digital marketing and emerging tech aficionados, we're dedicated to making complex research accessible to all. Through blogs, social media, and an array of upcoming events, we aim to inform and inspire action for marginalised mountain regions. Read on for a short intro to our Science Communication Sub-Group members!

Welcoming New Faces to the MARGISTAR Summit: Meet our WG2 Sub-Group Coordinators

The MARGISTAR team is growing! We are thrilled to introduce two new individuals who recently joined our Core Group as Working Group 2 Sub-Group Coordinators, bringing with them a shared commitment to making a positive impact in marginalised mountain areas. As we begin working with Ana Margarida and Stanka, let's take a moment to get to know the aims and tasks of Working Group 2, the role of a Sub-Group Coordinator, and more about these newest additions to our COST Action’s leadership.

MARGISTAR Launches First Call for Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)

MARGISTAR launches its first call for Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) for Missions occurring between May 1 and September 30, 2024.

MARGISTAR Launches Third Call for Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) Conference Grant Applications

MARGISTAR is launching its third call for Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) Conference Grants for conferences occurring between May 1, 2024 until September 30, 2024. All applications must be made before the deadline on March 17, and all activities must occur before September 30, 2024.

Exploring Harmony: A Short-Term Scientific Mission into the Balance of Humans and Nature in Serra da Estrela, Portugal

At the end of June, it was time to explore. Plans: ready, materials: prepared, suitcase: packed, so off we went. Elena Todorova was warmly welcomed by her host, Antonio Monteiro from the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning at the University of Lisbon. Together, with Ana Margarida Silva from the Centre for Intercultural Studies (CEI, ISCAP-P. PORTO), they headed to the Serra da Estrella Mountain for a MARGISTAR Short-Term Scientific Mission to uncover the delicate socio-ecological interactions that shape this unique mountainous region. They used Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping to explore how local communities and the natural environment influence and sustain each other. The next 12 days were full of meetings, festivals, cultural events, and adventures in nature. Read on for more about this journey.

Navigating Towards Sustainable Forest Futures: Reflections from the 26th IUFRO World Congress

From the 23rd to 29th of June 2024, Stockholm hosted the prestigious 26th IUFRO World Congress under the theme “Forests and Society Towards 2050.” MARGISTAR’s Dr Oksana Pelyukh, an assistant at the Department of Ecological Economics and Business at the Ukrainian National Forestry University (Ukraine), attended this global gathering supported by the ITC Conference Grant provided by MARGISTAR. This blog reflects on her experience and insights gained during this transformative event.

Advancing Tourism Research: Goda Lukoseviciute’s Experience at THE INC 2024

In June, MARGISTAR member Goda Lukoseviciute attended the Tourism Hospitality & Events International Conference (THE INC) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The conference focused on professional collaboration to understand and develop scientific ideas in tourism. Hosted by Hotelschool the Hague, THE INC 2024 provided Goda the opportunity to present her research, interact with professionals, and discuss future opportunities in her research interests. Continue reading to learn how the conference impacted Goda and the insights she took from her experience.

Vladimir’s STSM Experience in Sofia: Insights & Reflections

Recently, MARGISTAR’s Vladimir Stojanovski had the opportunity to participate in a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at the Bulgarian Academy of Science’s Forest Research Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria. This STSM was linked to MARGISTAR’s tasks in that it aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange on sustainable forestry and rural development. As a researcher focused on the socio-economic aspects of forestry in marginalised regions, particularly in North Macedonia and South-West Bulgaria, this mission was a pivotal experience in his academic and professional journey.

Reflections from the Futures of Natural Resources Conference and Researcher Practices

In this blog, I report my personal experience at the Futures of Natural Resources Conference and reflect on the transformative ways researchers can participate in conferences to achieve the biggest possible positive research and outreach benefits and the least possible negative social-ecological impact.