CERIS Aveiro Hub

Coordinator: Romeu Vicente

CERIS Aveiro hub results from the merger of the former Research Unit RISCO (Risks and Sustainability in Construction) of the University of Aveiro with CERIS, within the framework of the national research units evaluation process for the period 2025–2029, enhancing scientific excellence in the field of Civil Engineering. This merger led to the establishment of a CERIS hub at the University of Aveiro. 

CERIS, headquartered at Instituto Superior Técnico (Lisbon), has, since January 2025, incorporated a new hub (CERIS Aveiro) in addition to its existing hubs CERIS Coimbra and CERIS NOVA. This initiative stemmed from the extensive collaboration that already existed among researchers from these research hubs. The growing closeness fostered the merger and was gradually materialised through intensified collaboration in strategic areas such as risk assessment and mitigation, sustainability in construction, and heritage conservation and rehabilitation.

CERIS Aveiro hub, focused on the field of Civil Engineering, aims to promote the development of sustainable and resilient cities through safe, sustainable, and environmentally friendly construction. Its specific research objectives include mitigating risks in the built environment, improving resource efficiency and sustainability in the built environment, and safeguarding and rehabilitating built heritage. 

CERIS Aveiro also seeks to contribute to various international agendas and societal challenges, ranging from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to specific targets within European and national policies in areas such as safety, climate change, resource efficiency, digitalisation, circular economy, and decarbonisation.

The activities of CERIS Aveiro are strongly oriented towards active collaboration with public entities (municipalities, central and regional governance agencies, among others) and private stakeholders to address societal challenges. It also promotes the participation of its members in national and international networks, aiming to increase the number of research and innovation projects, enhance CERIS visibility, and disseminate research results through the organisation of advanced courses, seminars, and conferences, as well as through initiatives for young and future researchers.