Frame

CGeo is a R&D unit of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC) since 1992. Created in 1976 at INIC (National Institute of Scientific Research), the CGeo is a consortium gathering the University of Coimbra (UC), the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), the Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (IPT) and the Earth and Memory Institute (ITM).

CGeo aims at targeting the identification and characterization of energy and mineral resources, as well as their transformation and use, and understanding of Human related adaptive strategies. It is currently organized into 3 research groups dealing with:

- resources exploration, in academic research on sedimentary basins and collaborative projects with the oil industry (Fossil Energy and Sustainable Development);

- engineering geology developments, study and engineering use of natural materials, management of the geological environment and multi risk assessment (Geotechnology);

- past adaptations in lower complexity societies, namely studying processes of adaptation and innovation relating resources and technologies knowledge and availability (Quaternary, human adaptations and landscape management).

The CGeo is a multidisciplinary unit and integrates 113 members including senior scientists and Master and PhD students whose activities are supported by Brazilian, European and Portuguese research institutions and by industry projects through financial contributions, grants and contracts.

The CGeo is partner in two UNESCO chairs - the chair on Geoparks and the chair on Humanities and Cultural Integrated Landscape Management – and the doctoral INPhINIT fellowship programme of “la Caixa” Banking Foundation.

In the 2014 units’ assessment initiative, conducted by a European committee, the CGeo was the best classified R&D unit in the earth sciences domain at national level, reaching the grade “Excellent”. In the 2017 units’ assessment the CGeo was classified as “Very Good”.

CGEO in video

The data hereby presented are from 2018.