Conversations with researchers, innovators, and key stakeholders, offering unique insights and perspectives into European research initiatives and their impact.

Interviews

Our interviews go beyond traditional video content. Each conversation is transformed into a dynamic multimedia package designed to maximise reach and engagement:

  • Concise Video Edits: Each interview is carefully edited into focused snippets that capture the most impactful insights and key messages.

  • Audio Summaries: For those who prefer audio content, we provide condensed audio versions highlighting the main points of the conversation.

  • Featured Articles: Complementing the visual and audio content, we craft engaging articles that weave together the most compelling quotes and insights from the interview.

This multi-format approach ensures that valuable insights from researchers, innovators, and stakeholders are accessible to all audiences, regardless of their preferred content format.

Explore some examples of our interview packages below:

  • Bridging the Gender Gap in Telecommunication and Research

    Ishita Mishra, Research Analyst at Institute PIIU and Gender Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the 6G flagship project Hexa-X-II, shares valuable insights on the importance of gender diversity in telecommunications research at the EuCNC 2024 conference.

    WiTaR: A Platform for Diverse Voices

    At the Women in Telecommunication and Research (WiTaR) working group's convened session, Mishra highlighted the diversity of perspectives present:

    "Today, we had the women in telecommunication and research working group's convened session in which there were [...] different insights, some keynote speakers, and a lot of diversity in the room. We had people coming from different backgrounds, different professional environments [...]"

    This diversity of voices contributes to a richer dialogue on gender issues in the field.

    Addressing Gender Disparities in ICT

    Drawing from her personal experience, Mishra emphasises the persistent gender gap in ICT:

    "Being an electronics engineer myself, I have also seen the disparity [...] between male and females in the ICT field/industry, ICT environment and how it's important for every female out there to come up and talk, ask for their rights to have a very confident, independent outlook towards their both personal and professional work environment."

    This observation underscores the need for continued efforts to promote gender equality in the sector.

    Insights from Industry Veterans

    The session featured keynote speakers sharing their long-term experiences in the field:

    "We had some keynote speakers who gave us insights from their experiences and their lifelong journeys about how they had to [...] come in their 30 or more years of experience and especially in ICT. And it was a very inspiring overall session."

    These seasoned perspectives provide valuable insights into the challenges and progress in gender equality over time.

    Addressing Key Issues

    Mishra highlights several critical issues discussed during the session:

    "Today, here we discussed the gender pay gap, how women are not able to achieve the higher ranked professional titles in their career, and how they have to strive and fight to maintain and get respect in both their personal and professional lives."

    These discussions bring attention to persistent challenges that need to be addressed in the industry.

    Empowering Women in ICT

    Mishra concludes with a call to action for women in the field:

    "It gives us an outlook of how the real world works, and also it puts us in a position where we have to talk, be confident, ask for our rights, tell them what we need, and of course, make them hear our voice."

    This empowering message encourages women to actively advocate for themselves and their colleagues in the ICT sector.

    Through its focus on gender diversity and inclusion, the Hexa-X-II project, with contributions from experts like Ishita Mishra, is playing a crucial role in promoting a more equitable and inclusive environment in telecommunications research and development. By addressing persistent challenges and empowering women in the field, these efforts contribute to a more diverse and innovative future for telecommunications technology.

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  • Empowering SMEs in the Fight Against Cyber Threats

    Professor Christos Douligeris of the University of Piraeus, a key contributor to the NERO cybersecurity project, sheds light on the initiative's mission to strengthen cybersecurity measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

    A Multifaceted Approach to Cybersecurity

    NERO, a collaborative project involving the University of Piraeus Research Centre (UPRC) and other partners, aims to equip SMEs with the tools and knowledge to effectively combat cybersecurity threats. The project encompasses a range of activities designed to raise awareness and foster expertise in this critical domain. Professor Douligeris outlines the upcoming programmes:

    "We're now in the process of planning [...] hackathons and other programmes where the public can participate. [...] We have a summer school that starts in September [...] called CyberHOT where people can participate and get to know more things about security, especially security for SMEs."

    Harnessing the Power of Ethical Hacking

    A notable aspect of NERO's approach is its focus on promoting ethical hacking. Professor Douligeris explains:

    "Hacking is also considered like an evil or bad idea, but we also have so-called ethical hackers. There are people that try to find bugs and share these bugs with the community."

    He emphasises the importance of creating a supportive environment for ethical hackers, including clear reporting procedures and recognition for their contributions:

    "Knowing the procedures [...] and how you report in a way that does not break into trouble. [...] Most of the big companies usually announce names of people who have found bugs in their systems."


    Overcoming Challenges in SME Cybersecurity

    Professor Douligeris acknowledges the hurdles in implementing cybersecurity measures for SMEs:

    "The challenge is [...] to persuade people in the small and medium enterprises to get involved with this. Because everybody in an SME has its own job. There is no time to do something else."

    He underscores that addressing security vulnerabilities proactively is crucial:

    "It's very difficult to get people out of their workspace [...] and tell them, let's start and look at another issue, which is security. [...] When you find the security problems, it's going to be too late."

    Building a Secure Digital Future

    NERO envisions a future where SMEs have access to comprehensive cybersecurity resources and expert support. Professor Douligeris encapsulates this vision:

    "Security's an exciting field [...] It's nice to know that you're protected, that you feel secure. [...] It's nice to know that you have a team of experts very close to you that can help you resolve a lot of issues [...]"

    By empowering businesses to take a proactive stance on cybersecurity, the NERO project aims to create a more resilient and secure digital landscape for all SMEs.


    For further information on NERO, you can visit: nerocybersecurity.eu

  • Advancing Blockchain Standardisation

    Introduction to SEEBLOCKS.eu

    Fiona Delaney, Strategy Lead at the SEEBLOCKS.eu Project, shared insights on the project's mission and its role in advancing blockchain standardisation. SEEBLOCKS.eu is a consortium initiative focused on funding and promoting research in blockchain standardisation.

    "I'm Fiona Delaney, strategy lead at the SEEBLOCKS.eu Project, which is a consortium initiative [...] delivering funding to researchers in blockchain standardisation. We socialise their work. We socialise, of course, the opportunity to receive funding, [...] and then we get involved in initiatives like [...] mapping and analysis of the standardisation landscape, [...] in a multidisciplinary context."

    Focus on Digital Asset Creation and Exchange

    Delaney highlighted the project's current focus, particularly in the context of financial services and the evolving digital marketplace:

    "We've been focusing a lot on digital asset creation and exchange, and looking at financial service provision and standards that would be important in that context, [...] particularly when we're looking at transitioning from the single digital marketplace in Europe into something larger like the construct of the global digital marketplace."

    Engaging with the Blockchain Community

    SEEBLOCKS.eu actively engages with the blockchain community to gather insights and identify trends:

    "It's been really interesting to come together to meet the community, [...] to share our own insights and to listen and observe and hear what are those key messages coming from industry [...] around trends, sentiments, hiccups maybe, and what those opportunities are into the future."

    Opportunities for Involvement

    Delaney emphasised the diverse opportunities for professionals to get involved in blockchain standardisation:

    "There's a really great opportunity for technical people, for business people, for policy and regulated people, to get involved to learn about standardisation [...] We have a number of different resources on our website, SEEBLOCKS.eu, [...] and we are looking to [...] share, socialise, and collaborate to partner with other organisations to accelerate awareness of and creation of co-creation of emerging blockchain standards."

    Resources and Funding

    SEEBLOCKS.eu offers various resources and funding opportunities for those interested in blockchain standardisation:

    "You can apply for funding. You can look at what other researchers have been working on. You can [...] read our research, which is largely around market industry analysis, gap analysis and landscape reporting, in this field."

    Global Outreach and Events

    The project maintains an active presence at global events, fostering international collaboration:

    "We have many different events, both online and then in person. We will be on tour. We're in Dublin this week. We'll be in Valladolid in Spain next week. We will be in Osaka in July. [...] We'll be visiting also Brussels in July, Sydney, I think later in the year, possibly the US. We're absolutely a project on tour, [...] listening and learning as we go."

    Conclusion

    SEEBLOCKS.eu, under Fiona Delaney's strategic leadership, is playing a crucial role in advancing blockchain standardisation through research funding, community engagement, and global outreach. By focusing on key areas such as digital asset creation and exchange, and by providing resources and opportunities for diverse professionals, the project is contributing significantly to the development of blockchain standards in the context of an evolving global digital marketplace. Delaney's invitation for wider participation underscores the project's commitment to collaborative and inclusive approaches in shaping the future of blockchain technology and its applications.

    For further information on SEEBLOCKS.eu you can visit: seeblocks.eu