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Southern Catalonia CERCA Centers Meets at Parliament to Ask Research Infrastructure Investments

Yesterday, the management teams of the CERCA research centers in Southern Catalonia, among which Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Institut Català d’Investigació Química (ICIQ), Institut Català d’Arqueologia Clàssica (ICAC), and Institut Català de Paleoecologia Humana i Evolució Social (IPHES), held a pivotal meeting with representatives from the Parliament of Catalonia. The meeting underscored the pivotal role of research as a driver of regional development.

On February 8, parliamentarians Raquel Sans (ERC), Rosa Maria Ibarra (PSC), Alícia Romero (PSC), Mònica Sales (JxC), and Joan Calderon (En Comú Podem) met with representatives of the CERCA centers in Tarragona: Josep Maria Palet and Hèctor A. Orengo from ICAC; Emilio Palomares and Laia Pellejà from ICIQ; Joan Vendrell from IISPV; and Marina Mosquera and Maria Targa from IPHES.

The management teams of the CERCA centers in Tarragona converged to call for strengthened government support for research infrastructure investments. This collective also conveyed a message of unity and commitment to scientific and technological progress in the region.

The strategic importance of Southern Catalonia as a hub for development and innovation has not received the institutional and economic support necessary for its progress in recent years. Research excellence is crucial for Catalonia’s future, particularly in strategic areas such as the chemical industry, health, heritage, and culture. These knowledge areas have the potential to address our society’s most urgent challenges, including climate change or sustainable supply of raw materials.

A Territory-Focused Meeting

During the meeting, CERCA representatives expressed the urgent need for investments in key research infrastructures for the progress the region. Insufficient space and resources at their respective centers have limited their capacity to undertake ambitious projects and attract new talents.

“An investment in science is an investment in economic prosperity, public health, environmental sustainability, and ultimately, the quality of life for all Catalans,” stated the CERCA representatives.

Investments in research infrastructure will not only benefit the CERCA centers but also result in tangible advantages for society as a whole, solidifying Southern Catalonia’s position as a leader in scientific research and technological development.