Synthesis Science

What is synthesis science?

The Nucleus will follow adopt a “synthesis science” approach, that integrates diverse scientific knowledge, methods, and perspectives, aimed at the analysis, systematization, reorganization, or recontextualization of already available data and information, to produce new knowledge.

We will promote and support an inter or transdisciplinary research approach, with the establishment of heterogeneous and collaborative working groups, which will meet periodically in an immersive way for brainstorming discussions. These meetings will be intercalated with the analysis and modeling of existing databases.

This research approach is based on other synthesis centers in Europe and the US, which are considered as “science incubators”, as they provide opportunities and facilities for the exploration of new and riskier ideas. The idea is to provide the conditions for the emergence of new ideas, creating conditions for creative and associative thinking, and the cross-fertilization of ideas between areas of knowledge.

In the specific case of the “BIOTA SYNTHESIS”, we will focus on the synthesis of data that brings science and decision-makers closer together in the socio-environmental area, to support public actions or policies that deal with society’s challenges related to environmental and human health, as expressed in the demands of the São Paulo State Secretaries.

The research within BIOTA SYNTHESIS will thus be characterized by:

  • a transdisciplinary approach, which integrates not only a diversity of science knowledge areas (e.g. ecology, medicine, sociology, economics, public policy, climatology) but also the practices, perceptions, ideas, and empirical knowledge of decision-makers, institutional actors, and local actors;
  • a collaborative and co-participative perspective, which allows potentializing the diversity of knowledge and practices in all phases of the project (from conception to development and dissemination of research) and thus increase the chances of positive synergies between actors;
  • be guided by major missions (in this case, sustainable rural and urban landscapes) and by clearly defined challenges based on real problems of social and environmental relevance- thus, Biota Synthesis is characterized as a nucleus of problem-oriented research and analysis of solutions based on nature.
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