EUniWell's third CAS Symposium: Decolonizing environment and well-being oriented European approaches

06/07/2026 to 08/07/2026

University of Florence University of Florence EUniWell-Event

Join us for the third symposium of EUniWell’s Centre for Advanced Studies, hosted by the University of Florence from 6 to 8 July 2026. Engage with researchers and staff across the Alliance to explore and promote inter- and transdisciplinary research on environmental well-being through a decolonial perspective.

Poster for the EUniWell Third Symposium at the University of Florence, 6–8 July 2026, titled “Decolonizing Environment and Well-Being-Oriented European Approaches,” with a blue header and a pink-and-blue tree symbol.

About this symposium 

The University of Florence will host the third edition of the EUniWell Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) Symposium, a flagship initiative designed to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and research capacity across the Alliance. The event will take place at the University of Florence from 6 to 8 July 2026 with the possibility to follow plenary session remotely.

Building on previous editions, the Florence CAS further supports the development of interdisciplinary and collaborative research ideas by developing the CAS model as both a platform for academic exchange and an incubator for early-stage research ideas. The symposium places particular emphasis on PhD candidates, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career researchers, while also fostering dialogue with senior scholars and administrative staff. Through a combination of interactive sessions, workshops, and networking activities, participants will co-create knowledge, develop joint research initiatives, and contribute to shaping a shared European perspective on well-being-oriented research and education.

The Florence CAS aims to: 

  • promote dialogue and cooperation between academic and administrative communities,
  • foster mobility by addressing structural and procedural differences across institutions,
  • contribute to a more integrated European Higher Education and Research Area,
  • encourage long-term interaction through structured follow-up activities,
  • develop a shared alliance-level perspective on CAS methodologies and impact. 

Programme 

The Florence CAS introduces a project-oriented and collaborative format, moving beyond traditional academic conferences. 

In the month before the in-person sessions, two online sessions will take place on 9 and 23 June:  

In the online sessions participants will engage in: 

  • community building and symposium framing
  • keynote on decolonizing environmental governance
  • thematic matchmaking and interdisciplinary clustering
  • guidelines and preparation for on-site collaboration 

Programme on site, 6 to 8 July 2026 at the University of Florence:

  • Monday, 6 July 2026
    • 12:00–13:00: Registration & Light Lunch
    • 13:00–13:30: Institutional Greetings
    • 13:30–14:30: Opening Keynote “Centres for Advanced Studies and the Global Transformation of Academia”
    • 14:45–17:30: Parallel Sessions – Interdisciplinary Labs
    • 19:00: Welcome Dinner
  • Tuesday 7 July 2026
    • 9:00–9:30: Coffee & Networking
    • 9:30–10:30: Plenary Session “Well-being, SDGs & Decolonial Environmental Thinking”
    • 10:45–12:30: International Round Table “Bridging Environmental Science, Law and Humanities”
    • 12:30–14:40: Lunch & Networking
    • 14:00–16:30: Scientific Speed Dating – Identifying Environmental Drivers of Well-being Inequalities (Environmental, social, economic, legal factors)
    • 17:00–18:00: Public Hybrid Keynote “The Future of Centres for Advanced Studies in Europe - Case Study Clinics”
    • 20:00: Conference Dinner
  • Wednesday, 8 July 2026
    • 9:00–13:00: Thematic Workshops
    • 13:00–13:30: Closing Remarks
    • 13:30: Farewell Light Lunch 

Registration: The symposium is open to PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and early-career researchers. Registration is open until 22 May. Please register via the Google Form under this link: https://forms.gle/95zRb7cF4nDpA9pj8

About the CAS symposia

The CAS symposia are a new initiative designed to support and connect early career researchers across EUniWell. The bi-annual events provide a dedicated platform to explore pressing topics relevant to early career stages in an international and interdisciplinary setting, fostering collaboration and the development of future research opportunities.

The initiative is carried out within the framework of EUniWell’s Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS), the Alliance’s core structure for research, innovation, and knowledge transfer. CAS plays a central role in fostering cross-institutional collaboration, and this series forms part of its mission to empower the next generation of researchers by harnessing the Alliance’s collective expertise.

Contact 

For any further questions or additional information, please contact Alberto Giachetti alberto.giachetti[at]unifi.it 

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