Almudena Agüero (PhD in Geology and Master Degree in Hydrogeology) is Technical Adviser in the Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation (MINECO) in the International and EU relations Deputy Direction. She is involved in the management, planning and monitoring activities of national and European research within environmental areas, mainly on the area of Marine and Maritime Research as an important part of the Integrated Maritime Policy within the European Union. She is National delegate of the High Level Group on Joint Programming (ERAC-GPC). She is national Representative in the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) intergovernmental Program. She is also coordinator of Ministry participation in the VISION RD4SD (VISION Research and Development for Sustainable Development) Coordination Action, focused on the dialogue among European science policy-makers.