Laurence Carvalho - working at JRC - IES on mapping of ecosystem services

Laurence Carvalho is working until autumn 2011 as a "Seconded National Expert" at the Institute for Environment & Sustainability which is a research institute within the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy. His secondment at JRC - IES relates to PEER's PRESS project. 

"My permanent work is in Scotland at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) which is a research centre of the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council", he explains.

For how long are you staying at JRC?

My secondment is for one year, but there are possibilities to extend it for longer, if myself, my family, CEH and JRC all think an extension would be worthwhile.

What are your current tasks and do they differ from what you normally do?

My secondment relates to a PEER initiative to map ecosystem services across Europe. These are goods and services, such as clean water, carbon sequestration and recreation, which we receive from natural ecosystems and that underpin economic prosperity and our quality of life. Specifically my role is to consider goods and services provided by freshwater ecosystems. It is a slightly different application of my normal CEH work and it gives me the opportunity to collaborate closely with JRC staff with differing skills and expertise that are less available within CEH, such as in environmental economics.

How did the idea of your exchange to JRC-IES come about?

I was aware that a secondment scheme was possible with the EC. I registered with the “United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the EU” – which advertises secondment opportunities within the Commission. I had previously collaborated with a number of people at the JRC in Italy on European research projects and was interested in their new research agenda on ecosystem services and so applied for their advertised position.

How has it been to arrange all the practical details (the contract, accommodation, moving) of your exchange?

The original application form is a simple short CV, but following acceptance, the contract arrangements were very complicated! Many forms needed filling in and sent around various offices in Europe. It took about 6 months following initial acceptance, with a lot of support from efficient personnel staff in CEH and JRC. I also got help with moving and finding accommodation – although the process was a little traumatic in the final few weeks as we moved just 2 or 3 weeks after the final signed contract.

Were you able to take your family with you?

Yes, my wife and two children have all come for one year too. There is a European School nearby that my children go to and they have settled into the English section very easily. My wife has been able to enrol on an intensive Italian class so that she can be our tour guide around Italy. Helpfully, the allowance provided by the JRC is increased if you have additional family members to support.

Do you have any tips to anyone else considering staff exchange?

Plan at least one year in advance of when you want to go. Talk to people in other PEER institutes about research plans and secondment opportunities – you may be able to create the opportunity yourself.

Was there anything that surprised you about your job or Italy?

How wet Northern Italy is in November! More seriously, I’m not surprised, but pleased at how welcoming everyone is – both at work and socially. I am finding it difficult to learn Italian though as everyone at the JRC speaks perfect English.

What do you do in your free time?

Plenty of eating out – the food in Italy is fabulous! To balance that, lots of sports… running with the JRC running club, mountain biking and all the family have started ski lessons in the Alps!