Doctoral Education and Innovative Ecosystems
Led by Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’
Towards research excellence
Our Team aims to establish Joint PhD Programmes and the Joint Smart Transformation Ecosystem, as well as achieve research excellence. Innovative researcher training, networking and support lead to creating synergies across disciplines, while research and academic traditions contribute to establishing a modern inter-university campus.
What we do
A number of instruments are envisaged to facilitate the above, among which are the Joint T4EU Doctoral Support Office, a series of events to foster research matchmaking, building on the existing Transformation Labs and establishing new ones, and a series of bootcamps for novice researchers from the Alliance.
We are perfecting and creating brand new programmes dedicated to PhD students. The T4EU PhD Programmes provide and comprise joint, flexible and innovative doctoral curricula at the PhD level, while the PhD Tracks are planned to contribute to the variety and flexibility of local PhD Programmes and to increase intra-Alliance mobility.
Key tasks
Joint PhD Support Office
We have established the Joint PhD Support Office.
Joint PhD Programmes and T4EU PhD Tracks
The Joint PhD Programmes, PhD Tracks and enhanced mobility of doctoral students and supervisors will contribute to establishing a true and genuine T4EU interuniversity campus.
Enhancing Innovative Transformation Ecosystems
Carried out through the T-Labs activities facilitated by the matchmaking and seed funding, the cooperation among universities and their research centres is bound to enhance the challenge-based T4EU teams in creating knowledge and collaborating with stakeholders beyond what can be achieved at the level of individual universities.
Doctoral Education and Innovative Ecosystems in 2024
>30
young researchers who took part in the 1st T4EU Bootcamp in Burgas, Bulgaria
8
PhD tracks launched at the University of Silesia in Katowice
80
people attending the first matchmaking event and PhD conference in St. Etienne, France
9
projects approved for seed funding
We are proud of
First T4EU Bootcamp
The first of the three series of Bootcamps took place in September 2024 in Burgas, Bulgaria.
The Bootcamp was organised by the Smart Cities and Regions Transformation Lab led by Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’. The Lab also includes the University of Trieste, the University of Primorska, Vytautas Magnus University and the University of Silesia in Katowice.
The Lab focuses on the issues of:
- regions and cities, the natural and social systems forming their space and structure ;
- smart cities and regions, making them more adaptable and transformable to changing geography (climate change and global environmental problems, but also other transformation processes) ;
- ecosystem services and nature-based solutions for the cities and regions ;
- risks (all kinds of natural, social and economic) ;
- models for sustainable development.
The 1st Bootcamp was devoted to sustainable development and environmental transformation, underscoring effective climate adaptation and innovations. It was implemented with the active participation of the Burgas Municipality as a Stakeholder partner. The Bootcamp brought together students and researchers from eight T4EU universities and included workshop activities (the input was provided by academics from Sofia University and Jean Monnet University). The participants had a chance to enjoy a demonstration of advanced data collection tools, including a drone equipped with a LiDAR sensor and a GeoSLAM at the Sea Port Burgas, along with an introduction to biodiversity challenges in the region of Burgas and their potential solutions.
The Stakeholder Challenge was an opportunity for students to propose and discuss in-depth ideas about transforming a specific site around the former city department store, called ‘The Hole’. The task aimed to engage students in developing a conceptual plan to transform the derelict urban area in Burgas into a sustainable space. The students combined their knowledge on adapting the site to climate change and enhancing urban sustainability through innovative, nature-based solutions and presented them to a jury of experts. The most valuable and innovative ideas were then shared with the Burgas Municipality, which is a partner and stakeholder of Sofia University in the T4EU project and other joint activities.
First Matchmaking Event ‘AI and Society’
The first Matchmaking Event was organised by Jean Monnet University and attracted a total of 80 participants over 2 days, i.e. 13-14 November 2024. It also featured a dedicated PhD conference, emphasising the importance of collaborative projects and research within the T4EU Alliance. The activities were designed to facilitate collaboration and networking.
Suggestions have been made, and emphasised the need for more interactive and collaborative elements in the activities. The suggestions included introducing more tasks or group activities to help participants meet each other before the event begins and placing greater emphasis on working together. The participants recommended having more workshop time where groups can self-organise around specific topics or issues and work collaboratively to solve them, potentially with supervision.
Participants value formats that are not overly technical, closely aligned with their academic backgrounds, and allow them to expand their knowledge. These activities are appreciated for their ability to foster connections and provide a broader perspective beyond purely technical aspects. Participants’ responses highlight a preference for activities that promote idea exchange, social interaction, and intellectual collaboration, particularly through open discussions and collective brainstorming sessions.
Highlights
Setting up the work of the Joint PhD Support Office
Delivering 3 ‘PhD Process’ webinars focusing on the specifics of PhD education
Organising the first T4EU Bootcamp in Burgas, Bulgaria
Implementing the first Stakeholder Challenge posed by the Burgas municipality
Launching 8 individual PhD Tracks at the University of Silesia in cooperation with partner universities
Launching the first Seed Funding Call
We are ready for 2025
The partners are planning to deliver:
- additional diverse joint events,
- doctoral conferences and training programmes for young researchers,
- matchmaking sessions for academics.
Based on the lessons from the first Seed Funding Call, tailored calls are expected to facilitate innovation and excellence in teaching and research in the whole Alliance.
Doctoral Education and Innovative Ecosystems Team
