Read our post-event press release here
DIALOGUE FORUM
Next-Generation Seismological Research Infrastructures:
Connecting Research, Civil Protection, and Innovation
📍 Patras, Greece | 📅 Friday, November 7, 2025
Organized by: Region of Western Greece & National Observatory of Athens
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS
| 09:00 – 09:30 |
Participant Arrival & Registration
|
| OPENING SESSION | |
| 09:30 – 10:00 |
Welcome Addresses
– Fokion Zaimis, Deputy Regional Governor of Achaia, Region of Western Greece
– Efstathios-Sotirios Kouris, Deputy Regional Governor of Kefalonia and Ithaca – Dr. Vasileios Mocos, General Director of the Organization for Antiseismic Planning and Protection (OASP) |
| 10:00 – 10:15 |
Associate Professor Panagiotis Elias, Department of Geology, University of Patras, TRANSFORM² Project Coordinator
|
| SESSION 1: Research Infrastructures of Near-Fault Observatories | |
| 10:15 – 10:30 |
European Plate Observing System (EPOS), Near-Fault Seismic Observatories: Infrastructures and Data
Professor Efthymios Sokos, Head of the Department of Geology, University of Patras
|
| 10:30 – 10:45 |
Professor George Tsoflias, University of Kansas, Member of the TRANSFORM² Project Scientific Committee
|
| 10:45 – 11:00 |
Dr Dimitrios Paronis, National Observatory of Athens, Responsible for Communication and Dissemination of Project Results
|
| 11:00 – 11:15 | COFFEE BREAK |
| SESSION 2: Civil Protection | |
| 11:15 – 11:30 |
Experiences and management of the 2014 Kefalonia earthquake crisis.
Efstathios-Sotirios Kouris, Deputy Regional Governor of Kefalonia and Ithaca
|
| 11:30 – 11:45 |
OASP Actions for the Seismic Protection of the Country
Dr. Vasileios Mocos, General Director of OASP
|
| 11:45 – 12:00 |
Highlighting the role of NFO observatories and dense accelerograph networks in reducing Seismic Risk
Dr. Nikolaos Theodoulidis, Research Director, ITSAK/OASP Scientific Staff
|
| 12:00 – 12:15 |
Innovative services/technologies in seismic monitoring and earthquake protection
Dr Vasileios Karastathis, Director of the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens
|
| 12:15 – 12:30 |
Dr. Alexandru Marmureanu, National Institute of Research and Development for Earth’s Physics, Romania
|
| 12:30 – 12:45 |
Dr. John Clinton, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Dr. Christos Evangelidis, National Observatory of Athens, Greece
|
| 12:45 – 13:00 |
Dr. Nikolaos Theodoulidis, Research Director, ITSAK/OASP Scientific Staff
|
| 13:00 – 13:30 | LIGHT LUNCH BREAK |
| SESSION 3: Stakeholder Engagement and Private Sector Participation | |
| 13:30 – 13:45 |
Frédéric Guattari, President and Co-founder MAÅGM, France
|
| 13:45 – 14:00 |
Aris Stathopoulos-Vlamis, Technical Director GEFYRA S.A.
|
| 14:00 – 14:15 |
Assistant Professor Vasileios Kapetanidis, Department of Geology, University of Athens
|
| 14:15 – 15:15 | ROUND TABLE: Creating Effective Collaboration Frameworks |
| 15:15 – 15:30 | Conclusions & Next Steps |
The Forum
The first TRANSFORM² 1st Dialogue Forum will take place in Patras, Greece, on 7 November 2025. Organized by the Region of Western Greece, the Department of Geology of the University of Patraw and the National Observatory of Athens, the Forum will bring together representatives of local and regional authorities, industrial partners, researchers, scientists, and other stakeholders.
Presentations, thematic sessions, and round-table discussions will provide space for exchanging ideas and building synergies that support public safety, innovation, and long-term collaboration.
Bulding on the expertise of the Near Fault Observatory research community, the Forum is designed to:
- Enhance networking and knowledge exchange across sectors,
- Encourage joint initiatives between policy-makers, industry, and academia, Support the sustainability and uptake of innovative tools and practices,
- Explore opportunities for new services such as EEWS, while identifying pathways for collaboration with industry and society at large.
Target Groups
The Forum addresses a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- The research and scientific community (universities, research institutions, early-career researchers),
- Policy-making institutions (local/regional authorities, Civil Protection agencies, EU representatives),
- Critical infrastructure operators (energy, transport, water, telecommunications, healthcare),
- Other Research Infrastructures (EPOS, SAFER, REAKT, Geo-INQUIRE), Schools and educational institutes,
- Technology companies (AI, ML, software, sensors),
- Media and communication outlets.
This diversity ensures a comprehensive dialogue that spans scientific, social, policy, and economic dimensions.
Forum Format
The Forum features:
- Presentations introducing project objectives, expected outcomes, and new infrastructures,
- Talks addressing the societal impact of results, such as Earthquake Early Warning Systems (EEWS),
- Round-table discussions to encourage interactive stakeholder participation and engagement.
Thematic Sessions
Three main thematic sessions will guide the discussions:
- Research Infrastructures – highlighting the TRANSFORM² initiative, European models, and best practices.
- Civil Protection – featuring authorities from Greece sharing experiences on earthquake early warning and risk management.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Private Sector – with critical infrastructure operators and businesses presenting challenges and success stories. The program will also include national focal point presentations, survey results, and interactive round-table exchanges.
Views and opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of TRANSFORM² project