The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is a funding organisation for the creation of research networks, called COST Actions. These networks offer an open space for collaboration among scientists across Europe (and beyond) and thereby give impetus to research advancements and innovation.

Prof. Olivier Sparagano (Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health and Professor of Veterinary Parasitology) chairs the network ‘Improving current understanding and research for sustainable control of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae’, which has 320 members from 22 countries and aims to consolidate the existing expertise and knowledge on poultry red mites and to generate a synergic/holistic approach to improve health (including One Health), welfare and productivity of the laying hens through more effective prevention and control of poultry red mites.

Prof. Sparagano was invited to the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, to deliver a talk about this COST Action network to pass on his knowledge about leading multinational partner consortia and optimise delivery, dissemination, and impact of their respective networks to new COST Action chairs.