Knowledge Hubs
Establishment of knowledge synthesis centers
The Establishment of Knowledge Hubs project was officially launched on March 31, 2025, during a meeting held at the Institute of Botany at the University of Montpellier.
Knowledge hubs are interdisciplinary centers dedicated to advancing fundamental knowledge about Nature-based Solutions (NbS). This project aims to create spaces for collective reflection that bring together researchers and practitioners to address emerging scientific questions related to NbS, with the goal of advancing the frontiers of research.
In practical terms, each Knowledge Hub brings together a group of participants for several weeks in an environment conducive to reflection and collaborative development. These extended, dedicated periods allow for interdisciplinary collaboration, the integration of scientific knowledge with real-world experience, and the development of innovative approaches to NbS.
Organization and Governance
The Knowledge Hubs project is based at the University of Montpellier and is coordinated by Cyrille Violle starting in September 2025. It has a total budget of €1.8 million.
Each Knowledge Hub includes:
- 12 to 15 members (researchers and practitioners),
- 2 hosts dedicated to scientific facilitation,
- 1 postdoctoral researcher involved in the production and dissemination of research findings.
Knowledge Hub Topics
Five knowledge hubs structure the project around major scientific and societal challenges:
- KH1 – Evolution: Intraspecific Diversity in NbS and the Role of Diversity in Evolutionary Processes.
- KH2 – Appropriation: societal challenges of NbS, how stakeholders adopt them, debates, and evaluation methods.
- KH3 – Justice: Environmental justice for humans and non-humans through the NbS.
- KH4 – Archetypes: Conditions and Drivers for the Large-Scale Deployment of NbS.
- KH5 – Protected Areas: In what ways and how can protected areas be considered as NbS.
Expected results
The Knowledge Hubs will produce a variety of outputs intended for the scientific community, public sector stakeholders, and the general public:
- syntheses of knowledge and ideas,
- meta-analyses and databases,
- modeling work,
- scientific publications,
- decision-making tools (decision trees, lists of indicators),
- public information brochures,
- IT tools.
Each Knowledge Hub will also participate in the first PEPR International Conference, to be held at Sorbonne University from November 2 to 6, 2026.
Upcoming Activities (2026 – First Half)
First meeting for postdoctoral researchers (May 2026)
Finalization of hiring and onboarding of postdoctoral researchers
First meetings at CESAB
Establishment of bimonthly meetings among the Knowledge Hub leads