Research Project Description:

More than 90% of one’s lifespan is spent in closed environments therefore indoor air pollution may pose a serious threat to health. The higher education institute (HEI) sector represents a unique environment, acting as a work environment for faculty, a learning environment, and frequently, a home environment for students. Short-and long-term health issues of students and staff may worsen due to polluted indoor air in classrooms, impacting the student’s learning experience and staff productivity. Since few studies have analyzed exposure to indoor air quality and attendant health impacts in the university setting, quantifying the concentration of indoor pollutants with relevant safe exposure guidelines/standards are thus highly pertinent. The overall objectives of Breath IN aims to promote awareness, exchange best practices, develop skills, create Living Labs to experience the impact of indoor air quality. It also aims to introduce eco-friendly and green practices and propose a roadmap for a sustainable indoor environment. Breath IN will raise awareness through Workshops, Seminars, and Lectures using digital tools, on air pollution, energy, climate change, sustainability, and well-being. It will create Living labs where the learning experience of students and staff will be evaluated before and after eco-friendly interventions (e.g., natural ventilation, placement of potted plants) aiming to improve indoor air quality. Reach key stakeholders (social media tools, inclusive dissemination materials) that can be agents for implementing the proposed sustainable policies. The overall Breath IN outcomes aims to tackle different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by: 1) improving the good health and well-being of the HEI actors (SDG3-13), 2) promoting engagement as agents of change (SDG4) and raising awareness in the academic community, and key stakeholders by creating Living Labs, 3) promoting interdisciplinary and international cooperation by sharing knowledge (SDG10-11), 4) disseminate results as MOOC’s, and 5) promote green and sustainable practices with a financial impact in society (SDG11-13).

Principal Investigator(s) and Coordinating Institution(s):

  • Prof Cristina Andrade, Polytechnic Institute of Tomar (IPT), Portugal

Researchers at University of Nicosia Medical School:

  • Dr Christiana Demetriou, Department of Primary Care &Population Health
  • Dr Souzana Achilleos, Department of Primary Care &Population Health
  • Prof Photos Hadjigeorgiou, Department of Basic and Clinical Sciences

**Other Researcher(s) Participating in the Project:

  • Prof Edna Yamasaki, Department of Life Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences
  • Dr Iris Charalambidou, Department of Life Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences
  • Dr Ioannis Kyriakides, Department of Engineering, School of Sciences and Engineering
  • Dr Loizos Papaloizou, Department of Engineering, School of Sciences and Engineering
  • Dr Ernestos Sarris, Department of Engineering, School of Sciences and Engineering
  • Ms Lucia Protopapa, Marketing Department

Other Participating Institution(s):

  • Portugal (Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, IPLeiria)
  • Cyprus (EDEX – Educational Excellence Corporation Ltd, University of Nicosia)
  • Greece (Dimokritio Panepistimio Thrakis)

Research Project Acronym: Breath IN

UNIC Participating Institution: EDEX – Educational Excellence Corporation Ltd, University of Nicosia

Funding Agency: European Commission

Funding Programme: Erasmus +

***UNIC Budget: € 89 246.00

Total Research Project Budget: € 400 000.00

Research Project Status: Due to start

Start and End Dates: 1 September 2023 – 31 August 2026

Funding Programme and/or Research Project Logo: