The Blaustein Center for Scientific Cooperation (BCSC) was founded in 1998, with the strong support of the trustees of the Hilda and Jacob Blaustein Foundation. The BCSC's stated goal is strengthening the global scientific impact of the Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR), through programs that foster international scientific cooperation.
Our flagship program is the prestigious BCSC Postdoctoral Fellowship, awarded to approximately five excellent postdoctoral fellows annually, supporting them in their research hosted by a BIDR faculty member. Other programs include support for international scientific meetings organized at the BIDR; courses offered by visiting top-tier international lecturers; courses taught abroad by BIDR faculty members; and travel grants enabling BIDR postdoctoral fellows to present their work at international scientific conferences.
I was nominated to serve as BCSC Director in 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel was practically impossible and later “just" difficult. Not too long after we emerged from the pandemic, the Gaza War began. These are surely challenging times in which to maintain and develop international cooperation. But I can confidently state that despite these challenges, the BCSC (and I) remain determined and committed to strengthening our many existing ties with the international scientific community and to developing new connections, even more so in times like this.
Prof. Nurit Agam
BCSC Director
