Towards a Resilient Amazon

• Develop frameworks connecting smart technologies, health systems, and environmental management in the UK and Amazon context.

• Promote collaboration among academia, government, industry, and civil society to co-create practical, inclusive solutions.

• Share tools, data, and best practices that support evidence-based policy and innovation.

• Use intersectional analysis to explore how gender, socio-economic, and cultural factors influence health and sustainability outcomes.

• Create a roadmap integrating digital transformation, health equity, and environmental protection into sustainable urban planning.

The ARISE collaboration addresses urgent global challenges such as climate change, urban resilience, health equity, and social inclusion through a interdisciplinary, systems-based approach. For the UK, it strengthens international engagement, supports research diplomacy, and enhances the impact of publicly funded research through real-world application in one of the planet’s most critical ecosystems. For Brazil, it contributes to national goals in sustainable development, health innovation, and Amazon conservation, aligning with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation’s priorities.

Ultimately, ARISE represents a transformative partnership that unites global scientific excellence with local contextual intelligence. By leveraging UK expertise in digital innovation and systems thinking alongside Brazilian leadership in environmental and public health research, this collaboration will establish a sustainable, scalable model for One Health-based smart city development in the Amazon creating a blueprint for equitable, climate-resilient futures worldwide.

A key outcome will be the development of a roadmap for resilient, inclusive, and health-centred urban development, outlining actionable strategies and priorities. UK partners bring expertise in sustainable design, data-driven planning, and social innovation, while Brazilian institutions provide deep contextual understanding of governance, environment, and community engagement. This will strengthen local research capacity, foster UK–Brazil networks, and promote long-term, inclusive, and resilient development in the Legal Amazon, with lessons applicable globally producing lasting, relevant, and scalable impact.

The research methods that will be used to collect the findings: 

• International research workshop

• Keynote lectures and expert panels

• Collaborative research design sessions

• Field visits and stakeholder engagement

The project brings together key partners from Brazil and the UK:

Brazil partners:

• Federal University of Western Pará: Professor Luís Reginaldo Ribeiro Rodrigues
• Federal University of South and Southeast of Pará: Professor Sara de Souza Silva
• Federal University of Pará: Professor Fernando Tobias Silveira

UK partners:

• University of Wolverhampton: Professor Subashini Suresh, Professor Suresh Renukappa, and Professor Tonny Veenith
• National Health Service: Professor Tonny Veenith
• University of Cambridge: Professor Rajeev Krishnadas

Professor Subashini Suresh stated that “ARISE provides a unique opportunity to bring together interdisciplinary expertise to tackle complex challenges in the Amazon region. Through collaboration and innovation, the project will contribute to advancing knowledge and practice in sustainable development, while strengthening partnerships between the UK and Brazil. We look forward to the outcomes that will benefit both local communities and the wider global context.”

Professor Suresh Renukappa noted that “The ARISE project represents a significant step towards building resilience in the Amazon by integrating smart city technologies with One Health principles. By adopting an intersectional approach, we aim to generate inclusive and sustainable solutions that address environmental, social, and health challenges in a holistic manner. We are excited to collaborate with our international partners to drive meaningful impact through this initiative.”