The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on “Co-designing Biodiversity Assessments” took place in early November and was organized by the Postgraduate Program in Ecology at Unicamp

by Érica Speglich

For 14 days, 57 postgraduate students, early-career researchers, managers, and environmental professionals from 22 countries gathered at the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on “Co-designing Biodiversity Assessments” to discuss and propose the integration of academic and practical knowledge on biodiversity to support decision-making.

“One of the greatest challenges today is the disconnect between knowledge production and its practical application. The central goal of the School was precisely to promote this integration, creating a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment,” emphasized the event coordinator, Thomas Lewinsohn, an emeritus professor at the Institute of Biology.

During the first week of the event, participants attended lectures, roundtable discussions, and presented their work. In the second week, they organized into groups to develop solutions for real-world challenges based on their own experiences and interests. For example, they worked on creating conservation strategies for pollinators, identifying simple and accessible techniques for monitoring ecosystem restoration, and discussing guidelines for establishing biodiversity credits that integrate sustainable financial instruments and contributions to biodiversity conservation.

Among the expected outcomes are Technical Notes, Guides, and materials aimed at non-academic audiences, such as managers and communities. For Simone Vieira, a researcher at NEPAM and the School’s vice-coordinator, this practical approach is essential: “We want the knowledge generated during this period to be accessible and applicable to all stakeholders, not just academia,” she stated.

Impacts on Postgraduate Studies

Simone Vieira also emphasized the event’s impact on the Postgraduate Program in Ecology at Unicamp. According to her, “the School brought together faculty members aligned with the event’s theme who, otherwise, would not be working together. This collaborative effort brought people closer and has a significant impact on a Postgraduate Program.” Additionally, the researcher highlighted the unique opportunity for students in the Program not only to participate but also to support the event’s organization. “Interacting with people from different parts of the world and cultures fosters significant personal growth,” she commented.

For Aline Vieira Silva, a PhD student in Ecology at Unicamp and a tutor at the event, the experience was a comprehensive learning opportunity. “It was the first time I participated in organizing an event of this scale, and it was valuable to experience not only the intellectual aspects but also the entire process required to execute an event of this magnitude,” she shared. The exchange of ideas among participants with diverse professional backgrounds was also a highlight: “I have experience in classical ecology research, and we rarely see this interaction between academic research and other areas like the private sector and government. It has been interesting to engage in discussions and produce materials that can be useful beyond academia,” Aline Vieira remarked.

A Global and Interdisciplinary Gathering

Half of the School’s participants were Brazilian, and the other half came from countries around the world. “We aimed to select participants with a focus on gender equality, minorities, and ethnic diversity, as well as forming a group with a rich variety of backgrounds, experiences, and nationalities,” noted Thomas Lewinsohn.

For Ezequiel Chimbioputo Fabiano from the University of Namibia, the School provided insights directly applicable to his work on biodiversity monitoring within the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity: “The concepts covered, both theoretical and practical, will be incorporated into my project and my teaching, enriching my students’ education,” said the young researcher.

The event not only aimed to strengthen international collaboration networks but also encouraged a more inclusive and practical approach to biodiversity science, as commented by Lucas Ferreira Lima, a collaborating researcher at the Institute of Economics at Unicamp, who intends to advance methods for assessing people’s contributions to nature. This is a complementary proposal to the concept of ecosystem services, which evaluates the opposite: the benefits of nature to people. The proposal considers both people’s emotional connection to nature (referred to as Biophilia) and its importance to the economy and sustainability (Ecological Economics). “As a result of this School, along with six other researchers from Sri Lanka, India, and Brazil, we are proposing a method to assess People’s Contributions to Nature, aligning the perspectives of Biophilia and Ecological Economics under the guidance of researcher and speaker Robin Chazdon from the University of Connecticut (USA).” By recognizing and promoting the connection between humans and nature, the group proposes that people can become key actors in the preservation, restoration, and co-management of natural systems.