Center for Interdisciplinary Research
on Ecology and Sustainability
CIRES
生態及永續科學
跨領域研究中心
We are ......
Studying Socio-Ecological Systems in the Interaction Between Science and Policy,
Promoting Research on Socio-Ecological System Resilience,
and Advancing Socio-Ecological System Governance.
Under the global impacts of climate change, the world is facing increasingly severe challenges related to environmental, social, and economic issues. In January 2020, the College of Environmental Studies and Oceanography at National Dong Hwa University established the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Ecology and Sustainability (CIRES). The goal of the center is to conduct research on socio-ecological system resilience through rigorous scientific methods, providing appropriate recommendations for national policy formulation and implementation.
The main tasks of this center are as follows:
1. To address complex socio-eco system issues through interdisciplinary research
The complexity of sustainability issues far exceeds the scope and problem-solving capabilities of any single discipline. Only by integrating diverse perspectives and utilizing the expertise and methodologies from different research fields can we address the social and ecological challenges we face today. This center is one of the few in the country that combines ecology and social sciences. Through large-scale interdisciplinary research projects, the center focuses on research directions such as environmental change, long-term socio-ecological system monitoring, and sustainable development. It aims to provide interdisciplinary solutions, from knowledge to action, for key issues in these fields.
2. To establish an academic environment for scientific exchange and cooperation, promoting both domestic and international collaborative studies.
In view of the cross-scale nature of socio-ecological system resilience issues, the center will establish a supportive academic exchange environment to facilitate domestic inter-regional and international collaborations.
3. To provide multi-level academic training opportunities, expanding the academic and social influence of sustainability science.
The center offers opportunities for domestic and international graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to participate in research work. For domestic and international undergraduate students, the center provides short-term independent study training opportunities. Additionally, the center promotes the practical social impact of sustainability science through the dissemination of popular science content on its website and the establishment of various social communication platforms.
If you are interested, please continue to follow our events and news for more details or contact us.
Center History and Development:
January 2020 - Establishment of CIRES
CIRES was established in January 2020, with Professor Yi-fang Sun serving as the center director.
March 2021 - TSH@CIRES inauguration ceremony and forum
Taiwan Sustainable Hub (TSH) established a branch at CIRES, aiming to shape a new form of public governance thinking and innovative economy in Taiwan through sustainable pathways, transforming the societal sustainability culture. Click [here] to visit Taiwan Sustainable Hub.
August 2022 - NSTC project "Developing landscape-scale ecosystem service assessment to understand impacts of ground-mounting solar farms toward better socio-ecological governance" start up
Starting from August 2022, a three-year project funded by the National Science and Technology Council has been initiated. Taking a landscape perspective, the project explores potential changes in land use caused by ground-mounted solar photovoltaic fields, assessing the impact of solar photovoltaic fields on the ecological services and residents' lives in the region.
October 2022 - "Hualien MegaBank Solar Photovoltaic Field environmental & ecological monitoring project" start up
Environmental monitoring of the solar photovoltaic field began in October 2022, spanning at least three years. The goal is to confirm areas within the photovoltaic project site with "ecological conservation value" and provide appropriate operational management recommendations to create a win-win situation with green energy development.
November 2022 - Official Launch of CIRES Space
The meeting rooms, offices, and laboratories located on the 3rd floor of the College of Environmental Studies and Oceanography became officially in use. We extend our sincere gratitude to Dong Hwa University for its strong support in various aspects, including funding and hardware.
