Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : INCONEX (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems
Entité participante : Université de Salzbourg — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : PLUS
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499956.0 €

Political representation is about presence and absence. Yet, does advocating for ‘the poor’ mean not advocating for ‘the rich’, representing rural interests not representing urban ones, and speaking for young people neglecting the concerns of the elderly? Political scientists have solid theories and empirics on who is made present in the political process, but lack an understanding of the politics of absence – who is made absent by whom, how, when, and why? Amid an urgent crisis of representation in modern democracies, this research uncovers crucial power dynamics (who & whom?), identifies inequalities (how, when & why?) and addresses policy gaps (what to do?). Building on the PI’s record of leading research on political representation, INCONEX fundamentally pushes the boundaries of the field: It is the first to develop a comprehensive conceptualization of representative absence. It identifies two agents of absence – representatives and citizens – and two types of absence – intentional and unintentional. Representatives can intentionally exclude groups from the electorate (e.g., migrants), but also unintentionally overlook them because their interests are intangible (e.g., future generations). Constituents may deliberately conceal themselves (e.g., ‘the rich’) or their interests remain invisible because they are unaware of their group belonging (e.g., ‘those in need’). Methodologically, INCONEX develops and applies qualitative and computational social science techniques to map presence and absence in national and EU-level parliamentary debate over time. To understand the mechanisms that shape different representative absences, INCONEX uses in-depth interviews with members of national parliaments (MPs) and the European Parliament (MEPs), and focus groups with their constituencies. Based on this extensive data collection, the project builds a comprehensive theory of representative absence and the politics behind it – its manifestations, causes, and implications.

Mots-clés : representation,parliaments,citizens,european union,mixed methods
Projet ERC : SOLIDCON (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Materials Engineering
Entité participante : Université de Salzbourg — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : PLUS
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2374448.0 €

Batteries will be key in our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions but require major progress in sustainability, cost, and energy density. Liquid-electrolyte metal-sulfur batteries would be game-changers in many respects: a theoretical capacity amongst the highest of all batteries paired with the low cost and sustainability of sulfur. However, intrinsic obstacles are imposed by the electronically and ionically insulating nature of sulfur. Converting sulfur during discharge/charge is fundamentally different from mixed-conducting storage materials. While Li-ion battery materials transform in the solid-state, sulfur converts to metal sulfides in a solid-liquid-solid process. This causes poor cycle life and insufficient energy densities. In this project, we approach the fundamental challenge of sulfur phase transformation in a novel way: high-rate conversion in the bulk solid-state. We will pioneer advanced metrologies such as cryo-electron microscopy and in situ grazing incidence scattering with stochastic modeling to quantify the phase evolution during electrochemical sulfur conversion at atomic and mesoscopic (1-1000 nm) length scales. Based on systematic experiments on 2D transition metal carbide (MXene) substrates, we will establish the scientific foundations of solid-liquid-solid and solid-state sulfur phase transformation. Finally, we will form cathodes as artificial solid mixed conductors by structuring sulfides and MXenes to enable high-rate bulk solid-state sulfur conversion. This will solve the cycle life issue of Me-S batteries and boost the stored energy by maximizing the sulfur packing density. Foundation of SOLIDCON is a systems materials engineering approach, identifying how mutual structuring of storage materials, electron conductors, and ion conductors defines the physicochemical processes across length scales: electron, ion and mass transport, and electrochemical conversion.

Mots-clés : metal sulfur batteries solid state sulfur conversion artificial mixed conductors in situ small angle scattering cryo electron microscopy
Projet ERC : FermiMath (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : Université de Pise — Pays : Italie — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 33750.0 €

The quantum many-body problem presents us with a baffling variety of phenomena whose mathematical understanding is just leaving infancy. One of the most prominent examples is the behavior of electrons in condensed matter: surprisingly, despite the presence of strong interactions between particles in the microscopic Schroedinger equation, on a macroscopic level one observes almost non-interacting particles. Moreover, some properties even turn out to be universal, i.e., do not depend on the details of the microscopic equation at all. Fermi liquid theory has been phenomenologically developed as an emergent theory to describe these correlation effects in systems of interacting fermionic particles. The first goal of this project is a rigorous derivation of Fermi liquid theory from the Schroedinger equation. My approach will be based on the analysis of high-density scaling limits. While the analysis of scaling limits has been tremendously successful in the last years for bosonic systems, in fermionic systems it has been restricted to the derivation of mean-field theories. Recently I have developed an approximate bosonization for three-dimensional systems which can be rigorously applied in high-density scaling limits. This is one of the few tools that permit an analysis beyond mean-field theory, enabling us now to describe correlations without relying on perturbation theory. The second goal is to show that one-dimensional systems can be analyzed similarly but display a very different behavior called Luttinger liquid, demonstrating that the approach allows to distinguish Fermi from non-Fermi liquids. Thus I will not only provide a unified justification of the non-interacting electron approximation in two and more dimensions, but also pave a new way to and partially resolve the classification problem of the fermionic phase diagram.

Mots-clés : quantum many body problem,schroedinger equation,effective theories,scaling limits
Projet ERC : ActiVisTha (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Entité participante : Université d'Aarhus — Pays : Danemark — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1503179.0 €

Conscious image perception depends on the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of the thalamus. The dLGN receives signals from the retina and sends its outputs to the primary visual cortex. Already at this first central stage, the brain actively modulates vision by attention and arousal. Yet, the circuit mechanisms for processing and actively modulating visual information in the dLGN are largely not known. Cells and circuits in the dLGN show diverse specializations, which can only partially be explained by known parallel streams of information. I here propose to explore the role of thalamic circuit diversity for visual processing and its active modulation, using cutting-edge technologies at multiple scales, from synapses to long-range connections, that will dissect and interrogate thalamic circuits at unprecedented resolution in the mouse model. I propose novel approaches that will advance beyond the current state of the art.  First, we investigate how retinal input diversity functionally transforms into thalamocortical visual feature diversity. Second, we study how diverse modes of inhibition by local interneurons – powerful key players with supposedly multifaceted roles – contribute to the diversity of thalamocortical outputs. Third, we explore how diverse extraretinal inputs influence visual processing and interact during active behavior. Key outcomes will be: (1) the retino-thalamic transformation matrices, (2) a multi-mechanistic model of local inhibition, (3) a spatial map and causality model of different extraretinal inputs. These approaches will provide missing links between input and output diversity that can redefine the role of thalamus. Beyond approaching the question how cognition is implemented, ActiVisTha will have translational and technological impact: understanding the circuits for early visual processing and its active modulation will promote the development of advanced visual prostheses for the blind as well as machine learning technologies.

Mots-clés : lateral geniculate nucleus,visual system,vision,circuits,cortico thalamic loop,feed back,top down,modulation,interneurons,inhibition,
Projet ERC : MentalSEP (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Prevention,  Diagnosis and T reatment of Human Diseases
Entité participante : Université d'Aarhus — Pays : Danemark — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 449931.15 €

There is robust evidence that low socioeconomic position is associated with an elevated risk of subsequent mental disorders, but the validity of these findings is debated. This association could be causal or could be the result of failing to adjust for underlying risk factors that cause both a lower socioeconomic position and a higher risk of mental disorders. Existing studies (i) do not fully account for familial and genetic underlying factors, (ii) do not use measures of socioeconomic position at different levels (e.g., individual and neighborhood), and/or (iii) do not consider mental health beyond clinically diagnosed mental disorders. MentalSEP addresses these fundamental gaps by developing a novel approach to estimate the association between childhood socioeconomic position and subsequent mental health in a comprehensive way using Danish population-based data (~11 million persons). I plan to consider both genetic and familial susceptibility and different aspects of socioeconomic position and mental health. Additionally, I propose two important methodological developments to overcome the limitations of current techniques: (i) to adapt new measures of familial susceptibility through the health and socioeconomic history of family members, and (ii) to develop data-driven methods capable of combining data sources from non-overlapping sample populations. The broad guiding hypothesis of this project is that innovative methods bridging different disciplines will reveal more meaningful information on the potential effect of socioeconomic position on mental health. MentalSEP is ground-breaking both in relation to the methods it will develop and their application. The project will deliver cutting-edge knowledge about social inequalities in mental health, helping us better guide policies aimed at reducing their impact. In addition, the project will explore pioneering methodological approaches that have the potential to be a major advancement in the field of epidemiology.

Mots-clés : register based epidemiology observational studies psychiatric epidemiology social inequalities data linkage family risk scores
Projet ERC : ALPS (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Products and Processes Engineering
Entité participante : Université d'Aarhus — Pays : Danemark — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1286960.74 €

Computational physical modeling is a key resource to complement theoretical and experimental methods in modern scientific research and engineering. While access to large amount of data has favored the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to enhance physical simulations, limitations of purely data-driven methods have emerged as concerns their generalization capability and their intelligibility. In particular, the latter feature promotes understanding, a fundamental driver for scientific and technical progress, and possibly allows to rigorously investigate the reliability of the models and the safety of the systems based on those models. To overcome these limitations, I propose a hybrid approach that originally combines ML methods and equation-based modeling to significantly improve generalization in small-data scenarios, while guaranteeing the intelligibility of the physical models through the use of symbolic representations. Core of the methodology are learning algorithms that reconstruct models with controllable complexity from data by consistently combining building blocks, which derive from a unifying mathematical framework for physical theories. The system will also incorporate novel human-inspired strategies for knowledge distillation, accumulation and reuse, which are missing in state-of-the-art physical model learning algorithms. To efficiently handle the computational cost associated with the proposed methods, I will implement them in a new software platform that seamlessly integrates automated model learning and high-performance simulation. Thanks to their general-purpose nature, the methods and algorithms developed in this project may be employed in all scientific disciplines and in engineering workflows. In particular, I plan to use them to advance biology and soft robotics by solving challenging modeling tasks.

Mots-clés : computational physics,machine learning
Projet ERC : COHAB (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Texts and Concepts
Entité participante : Université de Jyväskylä — Pays : Finlande — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1481105.0 €

This project seeks to establish a new environmental ethics subfield, environmental landscape ethics, and to develop a new theory around the notion of ‘cohabitability’ as a focal analytical framework for it. Because land use for human purposes covers most of Earth’s habitable (ice-free and fertile) land, there is a pressing need to develop ethical theory to address land use. Yet, the present environmental ethics is ill-equipped for addressing land management because it largely builds on the legacy of wilderness orientation that focuses on mitigating human impacts to secure the ‘intactness’ of nature. Thus, new theories, terminology, and methods are needed. COHAB will establish environmental landscape ethics and theory of cohabitability by creating interdisciplinarily constructed, ecology-informed theoretical argumentation, methods, and conceptual tools. Cohabitability, land’s suitability for simultaneous co-habiting by many species, is an anchoring concept that connects the key research questions: • RQ1 What are the theoretical and conceptual requirements for environmental landscape ethics? • RQ2 What does cohabitability mean and what is it made of? • RQ3 What are the normative implications of cohabitability? • RQ4 Who can and should promote cohabitability and how?  RQs yield four distinct research perspectives. RQ1 examines in detail the need for environmental landscape ethics and articulates the methodological and conceptual requirements for a sound approach in this subfield. RQ2 develops the conceptual framework for the theory of cohabitability by utilising interdisciplinary theory construction and conceptual development in philosophy. RQ3 examines the normative implications of and creates normative principles for the ethics of cohabitability. RQ4 examines action for cohabitability from both normative and empirical perspectives. Answers to RQs will together yield a theory of cohabitability and contribute to the environmental landscape ethics as a novel field.

Mots-clés : human environment systems,environmental ethics,landscape ecology,urban planning
Projet ERC : FrogWY (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Environmental B iology, Ecology  and E volution
Entité participante : Wellcome Trust — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 62500.0 €

In sharp contrast to model organisms with degenerated Y/W chromosomes, many reptiles, fish and amphibians have mostly undifferentiated sex chromosomes and exhibit dynamics of birth and death of sex chromosomes. Why and how early-stage sex chromosomes and frequent turnovers are so prevalent across eukaryotes remain mysterious. This also raises pressing questions on alternative mechanisms leading to sex chromosome recombination arrest, their dynamics and stability. Frogs are ideal systems because they have mostly early-stage sex chromosomes and frequent turnovers. In this project, I will use the robber frogs to study unconventional sex chromosome evolution, challenging the paradigm predicted by the canonical model of ?degenerate Y/W?: 1. Does genome-wide reduced recombination always associate with the heterogametic sex? I will study an alternative mechanism driving sex chromosome recombination arrest, sex-specific telomere-restricted recombination, in 12 robber frogs with XY, ZW systems in a phylogenetic framework. 2. Do sex-determination turnovers repeatedly occur in frogs with heteromorphic sex chromosomes? I will identify sex chromosomes for each species and analyse the rate of turnovers in XY and ZW systems in a phylogenetic framework. I anticipate several independent transitions between sex-determination mechanisms, and more transitions within the XY or ZW system. 3. What are the genomic consequences of giant Ys and Ws, how do they form and differ? I will perform chromosome-level genome assembly to identify gene content on the Ys/Ws. I will detect inversions, evolutionary strata, compare transposable elements dynamics and dosage compensation mechanisms between XY and ZW systems.  If successful, this project will uncover alternative mechanisms driving sex chromosome recombination arrest, their dynamics and genomic features. It will reveal the mysterious formation of giant Ys/Ws. Together, this will conceptually extend boundaries of the canonical model.

Mots-clés : sex chromosomes,sexual selection,recombination
Projet ERC : TraBHolo (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental Constituents of Matter
Entité participante : Université technique de Vienne — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TU Wien
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1491072.0 €

In this project, I will develop new and timely methods for studying gravity in asymptotically flat spacetime and in the region near black hole singularities, along with their possible holographic interpretations. The thermodynamics associated to black hole event horizons suggests a holographic description in terms of a quantum theory without gravity in fewer dimensions. From string theory, such holographic dualities have been constructed and were tested to amazing precision, but all currently-known examples rely crucially on a negative cosmological constant, which prevents us from using them to make predictions for black holes in our universe. On the other hand, approximating gravity near spacelike singularities has long been known to lead to rich and chaotic dynamics, which therefore appears to be a fundamental property of black holes. However, its relation to known holographic descriptions of black holes is still mysterious.  Very recently, I established a new and systematic method of approximating gravity near singularities using dynamical Carroll geometry. By implementing the ultra-local limit of such approximations off shell, my method leads to tractable models in settings previously only accessible with supercomputer simulations, including spatial inhomogeneity and subleading corrections. It is also connected to several recent developments identifying near-singularity chaotic dynamics in AdS/CFT holography. Additionally, using related techniques, I will work towards more realistic holographic models with zero cosmological constant. Here, I will address key roadblocks by establishing how asymptotically flat spacetime metrics are determined by a general null boundary metric, energy-momentum tensor and radiation, which will also allow me to derive consistent ways of quantizing dual Carroll field theories. Through this project I will therefore make key advances in our understanding of black holes and their singularities in gravity and holography.

Mots-clés : gravity,ads cft,bkl dynamics,flat holography,carroll limits,non lorentzian geometry
Projet ERC : MORPHOS (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Products and Processes Engineering
Entité participante : Université technique de Vienne — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TU Wien
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499791.0 €

Fluid flows through porous media with morphology modifications are ubiquitous across nature and industry, from the melting and refreezing of snow to the migration of carbon dioxide in underground aquifers, from phase-change materials in energy storage systems to the formation of sea ice. A key property of media experiencing morphology variations is that the modifications of the pore structure relate to the local flow conditions, which in turn are affected by the geometry of the porous matrix. Despite their importance and pervasiveness, measuring and modelling flow transport and medium evolution in these systems remains challenging, due to the multiway coupling, multiscale nature and feedback mechanisms. The objective of this project is to shed new light on the evolution of porous multiscale systems characterised by flow-induced morphology modifications. Three classes of media with increasing levels of complexity (porous media with phase-change, reactive media and reactive media with phase-change) will be investigated in well-defined and controlled flow configurations. To tackle these problems, we will employ in a complementary manner a combination of numerical simulations, laboratory experiments and theoretical modelling. We will use these findings in a multiscale modelling framework where the large-scale and long-term flow behaviour is predicted by simple models that are fed with the results of high-resolution numerical and laboratory experiments. This project aims at a true scientific breakthrough: we want to gain a quantitative understanding of flow transport and medium evolution in porous media with morphology modifications, unraveling a number of physical mechanisms that will allow the prediction and control of these complex systems.