Couriosity about current and future developments in sustainable rural development
Presentation
Prof. (Dr) Alex Koutsouris serves in the Unit of Agricultural Extension, Rural Systems & Rural Sociology, Dept. of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development, Agricultural University of Athens. Specialist in Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), Innovation Support Services (ISS), interactive innovation (and) communication; agricultural education/training; and, sustainable rural development with emphasis on participatory methods. He has published and presented papers on the abovementioned topics, been guest co-editor in scientific journals and publications and served as a member of the boards of relevant scientific societies and international conferences and meetings. Among others, he has been the President of the steering committees of IFSA (International Farming Systems Association-European Group), ESEE (European Society/Seminar of Extension Education) and ETAGRO (The Hellenic Association of Agricultural Economists) as well as of the Hellenic Agricultural Organization (ELGO) DIMITRA. He has also been an expert with FAO, The World Bank, the Strategic Working Group AKIS (EU Standing Committee on Agricultural Research), member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of PRIMA and member of the Board of GFRAS (Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services). Currently, he is member of the Editorial Committee (past co-editor), The Journal of Agricultural Education & Extension, and member of the Board EUFRAS (European Forum for Agricultural and Rural Advisory Services) and cooperating expert with the EU CAP Evaluation Helpdesk. He participates/ed in several research and collaboration projects including the HORIZON projects: ATTRACTISS (2022-2028), TEAPOTS (2024-2027), AgroFossilFree (2020-2023), AGRI-LINK (2017-2021), AgriDemo-F2F (2017-2019), AGRISPIN (2015-2017); member of the International Advisory Boards of the HORIZON projects NEFERTITI, NEWBIE and modernAKIS. Past projects include, among others, PRO-AKIS (2013-2014), CORASON (2004-2006), and LEARNing (2002-2005).
What I can bring to this network ?
Experience in Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) and Innovation Support Services (ISS) gained through a series of HORIZON projects and publications.
What I seek in this network ?
Further acquaintance with systems thinking and practice. Involvement in projects, if relevant.
