Innoviris launched an Applied PhD call in October 2022. This Applied PhD call funds researchers who conduct their PhD in collaboration with a company or an administrative authority. Innoviris received 17 project submissions. Only 4 projects were selected for funding end of June 2023. We are thrilled to announce that 2 out of the 4 approved projects were VUB projects.
The first one, an Applied PhD project of Dries Vergouwen, is in collaboration with Ann Degraeve and Marc Meganck from Urban.Brussels. This project, entitled RETS: “Revealing the Senne: a hidden landmark in the historical center of Brussels”, is dedicated at delving into the historical significance of the Senne River in Brussels. RETS aims to establish an all-encompassing database, coupled with maps and models, to unravel the river's evolutionary journey. From its impact on the environment to human interactions and the evolution of Brussels' harbour, RETS strives to illuminate this narrative from the Pleistocene era to the year 1561. By synthesizing insights from archaeology, environmental science, and history, the project seeks to make a valuable contribution to the preservation of the Senne Valley's archaeological heritage. Prof. Yannick Devos and Prof. Ralf Vandam from the research group Archaeology, Environmental changes and Geo-chemistry (AMGC) will supervise this PhD.
The second approved Applied PhD project is called POWER: "A Pilot study of Wellbeing and Resilience Building Training for transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender-fluid persons in Brussels Capital Region." and is in collaboration with Dr. Charles Kornreich and Dr. Guillermo Duque Barrera from CHU Brugmann. In this project, Laura Maria Lingenti will confront the marginalized position of transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals (TGNC) in public spaces, highlighting their vulnerability to adverse mental health outcomes due to societal stress factors. She will incorporate innovative mixed-methods research to address the lack of data on experiences and needs of the TGNC population. The study aims to address this issue in the Brussels Capital Region through three research objectives: investigating demographics and mental well-being, identifying healthcare barriers through qualitative analysis, and creating a resilience-building intervention called "POWER." This PhD will be conducted under the supervision of Prof. Imke Baetens and Prof. Kris Baetens from the research group Brussels University Consultation Center (BRUCC).
Interested in the Applied PhD call of Innoviris? Good news, a new call will be launched in October 2023. Please contact Qing Cai to discover everything about the Applied PhD and the funding landscape for applied research in Brussels!