From Research Idea to Project Implementation: Winning Strategies from the BEATLES and PRUDENT Horizon Europe projects
The Doctoral Programme in Information Engineering and Computer Science (IECS) organizes the sixth edition of the PI Stories, a series of seminars aimed at providing the opportunity for PhD students to learn the success stories of some of the most talented researchers in the world.
Each speaker will present a research project he/she led as a principal investigator. The presentation will cover the scientific scope of the project and the most important results that the project has achieved. The speakers will also share their own experiences of turning a research idea into a successful project winning a competitive grant.
The events will take place in presence or online on Zoom and will be held in English.
Abstract
In this webinar, Dr. Marilena Gemtou shares her experience as Project manager and Coordinator of the BEATLES and Prudent Horizon projects, reflecting on the journey from conceptual research ideas to successful funding and project implementation. The projects focus on strengthening behavioural changes in the agri-food systems for the transition to sustainable agricultural practices and technologies, combining behavioural interventions, stakeholder engagement, business models and evidence-based policy design. Drawing on hands-on experience in Horizon Europe competitive calls, the webinar will present key strategic, structural, and technical elements that strengthen proposals and increase funding success rates along with practical lessons in project coordination, interdisciplinary collaboration, and translating scientific vision into impactful research outcomes.
BIO
Dr. Marilena Gemtou is a senior researcher at Agricultural University of Athens working on Horizon projects both on proposal development and project implementation. Currently, she is the project manager of the BEATLES project and coordinator of the PRUDENT project which investigate the behavioural changes needed in the food systems for the transition to sustainable agriculture, through effective behavioural interventions and green nudges. She also participates in projects related to food waste. With respect to background, Marilena Gemtou is a social scientist and holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Macedonia, Greece, an MSc in Management and a PhD in consumer decision-making from the University of Bath, UK. Her research work lies in the decision-making processes affecting farmers’ adoption of sustainable practices as well as the consumer purchase behaviour of environmentally-friendly products