Hello, and welcome to the latest White Research monthly newsletter edition!

At the end of May, the IAPSS World Congress 2024, the largest annual event for political science students, was held in Athens. This international event was organized with the support of the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports as well as the Liaison Office of the European Parliament in Athens.?

White Research played a significant role at the IAPSS World Congress 2024 by presenting the DE-CONSPIRATOR Horizon research project in the expert panel “State Security in Cyberspace". Our team, represented by Thomas Bakratsas and Nikolaos Sotiriou , engaged in a dynamic discussion, sharing the project’s main objectives, expected impact, and next steps. The active participation of White Research in this prestigious event is a testament to our commitment to advancing the field of digital governance and cybersecurity.??

With 2024 marking a pivotal year for democratic processes – where nearly two billion people worldwide will participate in various elections, including the European Parliament elections in June – FIMI poses a major threat to liberal democracies that rely on the free and open flow of information. As we are heading toward the 2024 European elections, the importance of shielding the European public against incidents of Foreign Information and Manipulation Interference is becoming ever more critical.?

The event saw participation from more than 50 attendees from around the world. Expert and student panels discussed a wide range of topics on digital governance, covering digital diplomacy, cyberspace and ethics, data privacy, disinformation and information warfare, and digital authoritarianism.??

You can access the project’s presentation from the event here.?

In collaboration with Sustainable Innovations (SIE) , the ALFA Project hosted its first webinar on May 23, 2024, attracting over 38 stakeholders to address challenges hindering biogas uptake in European agriculture. White Research provided key insights derived from European-wide surveys, highlighting barriers such as complex permitting and economic viability concerns. Regional dynamics revealed diverse challenges, including a lack of awareness and infrastructural gaps. Stakeholders emphasized the need for targeted policy interventions, including financial incentives and streamlined regulations, alongside strategic recommendations such as tailored awareness campaigns and innovative funding mechanisms. The webinar marked a first step towards collaborative and actionable policy outcomes in advancing biogas technology within the agricultural sector.?

Learn more about the outcomes of the webinar here: https://bit.ly/3KnzQUo

Over the past several years, White Research has been a key contributor to the European Commission's EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum , working alongside Netcompany and other partners. This initiative has brought together blockchain stakeholders, provided valuable analysis, and tracked developments across Europe and beyond. The Observatory's efforts have built a trusted community recognized for its insightful events and papers. In collaboration with ITI- Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH) , White's experts, Sofia Maragkidou and Valia Dormousoglou , have co-authored a trend report on Virtual Worlds, also known as the Metaverse. This report explores the potential of these digital environments, looking at their main features, current state, and future prospects, and highlights how blockchain technology shapes these spaces. We remain committed to driving progress in the blockchain landscape and look forward to continuing our impactful work.?

Read the report here: https://bit.ly/3VaVnou

The HumMingBird Project held its Final Conference in Leuven on May 27th and 28th and showcased its profound social impact through its extensive five-year research on asylum seekers and irregular migrants. By focusing on improving the preparedness of the European Union and its member states to manage emerging migration flows effectively and humanely, the project has contributed significantly to several key areas:?

Enhanced Preparedness and Humanitarian Response:? The project’s emphasis on real-time migration data and forecasting models has equipped policymakers with tools to better anticipate and manage migration flows. This preparedness helps mitigate potential humanitarian crises and ensures a more humane response to migrant needs.?

Evidence-Based Policy Making:? Through systematic data collection and qualitative research, Hummingbird has provided robust evidence for developing effective migration policies. This evidence base enables policymakers to create informed, humane, and practical strategies that benefit both migrants and host communities.?

Promotion of Legal and Humane Migration Pathways:? By identifying migration hubs and recommending the establishment of support centers, the project promoted safer and legal migration routes. These centers aimed to facilitate legal immigration applications and provide necessary assistance, reducing the risks associated with irregular migration.?

Influence on Public Attitudes and Media Representation:? The project’s analysis of media’s role in shaping public attitudes towards migrants has led to advocacy for balanced media strategies and initiatives against hate speech. Media literacy programs and responsible coverage can foster more empathetic and informed public views, reducing xenophobia and social polarization.?

Smarter Migration Policies:? Highlighting the limitations of restrictive policies, Hummingbird advocates for legal pathways for immigration that align with labour market needs. The promotion of talent partnerships and economic cooperation with neighbouring countries offers practical solutions for sustainable migration management.?

Social Cohesion and Integration:? By addressing local population attitudes and enhancing public understanding through reliable information, the project helps build social cohesion and supports the integration of migrants into host communities.?

Overall, the Hummingbird project has provided valuable insights and practical recommendations that can lead to more effective, humane, and sustainable migration policies and practices, ultimately benefiting society as a whole. For more information, find Hummingbird’s publications, policy briefs, and deliverables here.?

On May 14-15, 2024, the SCENE EU Project held its 4th plenary meeting at Chateau La Napoule in Cannes, France. Organized by Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH) the event focused on progress and plans.?

Day 1 featured presentations of pilot use cases. In Lecce, Italy, a photogrammetric survey was completed at the Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Discussions in Athens, Greece, centered on filming public spaces like Kotzias Square and the National Garden. Cyprus displayed acoustic modelling at UNESCO sites, highlighting the integration of generative AI into SCENE tools.?

Day 2 focused on technical and stakeholder presentations. Considerable progress was made in multimedia ontologies, database infrastructure, and search scenario simulations. The Delphi exercise was launched to refine the business model. Partners were thrilled with the promotional video prepared by White Research, which effectively showcased SCENE’s technology and tools.?

The first day concluded with a networking cocktail event with partners from REBOOT Horizon Europe and CresCine projects being there, with in-depth discussions on AI’s role in filmmaking. A workshop on “Generative AI in Film” explored ethical and creative aspects, featuring insights from experts.?

White Research, with its extensive experience in dissemination and communication, contributed significantly to these efforts, ensuring wide-reaching impact and engagement.?

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3QRHqKB