Researchers Showcase Advances in Aviation Safety to MEPs in Brussels

Posted on: 10 February 2015

The Centre for Innovative Human Systems (CIHS) and the School of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin recently held a very successful EU engagement initiative at the European Parliament in Brussels to show case their research into the next generation of aviation safety and risk management systems. The event, which previewed the research undertaken by the EU FP7 funded PROSPERO project (PROactive Safety PERformance for Operations) was very well-attended and attracted the interest of MEPs, EU stakeholders, PROSPERO project partners and leading industry experts including airlines, regulators and safety managers.

The engagement initiative was officially launched by Sean Kelly MEP, full Member of the Industry Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) in association with PROSPERO coordinator Centre for Innovative Human Systems (CIHS), School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin and project partner Carr Communications, Dublin.  European People’s Party (EPP) Vice Chair and full Member of the Transport Committee, Marian–Jean Marinescu MEP moderated the session.

The PROSPERO project is coordinated by the Director of the CIHS, Professor Nick McDonald and the research team of CIHS staff including Dr Siobhán Corrigan, Dr Daniele Baranzini, Dr Chiara Leva, Fabio Mattei and Paula Hicks.

Speaking at the event, Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP said: 

Prospero is a very worthwhile FP7 project that is aiming to contribute to the EU’s ambitious objective of reducing the aviation accident rate by up to 80%. EU citizens need to feel safe when they are flying in European skies. I am delighted to see that this EU funded project has achieved groundbreaking results in the area of aviation safety management systems. I also look forward to seeing how this project can be exploited to enhance safety in other high risk industries such as energy, transport and healthcare for example.

Pictured at the occasion (l-r): Eddie Shaw, Carr Communications, Dr Siobhán Corrigan, Professor Nick Mc Donald and Marian'Jean Marinescu MEP

 

Speaking about the event, Sean Kelly MEP commented

I was impressed by the industry insights shared by representatives of airlines, regulators and safety managers at the PROSPERO event. It is encouraging to see that all key players in the aviation industry are openly collaborating and sharing data to make the aviation safety system even safer for passengers in the EU. Safety remains the number one priority for the industry.          

The project coordinator for PROSPERO, Professor Nick McDonald from Trinity College Dublin said:

This event was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the results of the PROSPERO project to date. As an FP7 funded project, it is important to demonstrate value to the EU and taxpayers. This project will further enhance the safety levels of an already ultra safe aviation system by addressing existing gaps in the analysis and management of risk.

The PROSPERO project partners also launched their newest corporate video at the event to show how the project will develop proactive ways of managing and reducing the systemic risk of aviation accidents, both in everyday operations and through planning and change processes.