Responsible Solutions to the Plastic Problem: Interdisciplinary Training for Change Prosjektsøknad H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018

Plastic pollution is a global problem, of human origin, and of growing concern. The ubiquitous use of plastics in our modern life and the continued increase of global plastic production imply a fundamental challenge to better understand the causes and consequences of plastic pollution. The aim of the ETN "Responsible Solutions to the Plastic Problem:Interdisciplinary Training for Change" (RePlaCe) is to build an integrated, interdisciplinary research and training network for supporting a new generation of early stage researchers (ESRs) who will be equipped to inform and lead society on how it may transform future management of plastic pollution. To this end a consortium of seven excellent research institutions, from six European countries, link and integrate approaches and methods from the natural science disciplines (e.g. toxicology and ecotoxicology, biology, chemistry, ecology) with social science approaches (e.g. psychology, communication science, economics, governance, law). We explore environmental effects, social impacts, behavioural drivers, decision-making and regulations concerning plastics. Each ESR will be supported by supervisory teams from different disciplines, facilitating the cross-fertilization between the environmental, the socio-economic and the institutional domains. The collaborative, interdisciplinary research is complemented by comprehensive network training to equip young scientists with the necessary skills and methods that allow them to work in academia and non-academic sectors. In addition,RePlaCe comprises an outstanding network of partner organisations representing large businesses, SMEs, NGOs and regulatory agencies. The partnerships between academic and non-academic institutions ensure that ESRs become familiar with different work environments at an early stage of their careers. Moreover, they offer a platform for experiencing how specific methods can be put into practice, and how knowledge feeds into innovations.