CENSE Training School (26-31 July 2026)

The HoPE Nexus Connected Community invites applications from Early-Career Researchers for the 2026 CENSE Advanced Training Summer School organised in collaboration with the CENSE Research Centre at NOVA University of Lisbon.

The 2026 CENSE Advanced Training Summer School theme is 'People and Nature (lack of) Connectedness'. We welcome contributions exploring critical concepts, innovative tools or models, and group case-studies on one or more of the following:

People–nature connectedness; ecosystem services; nature restoration; urban ecology; environmental governance and resilience
Advances in valuing nature (e.g., relational & instrumental frameworks, including IPBES)
Immersive, speculative, and creative approaches to reduce disconnection from nature
Living in/with Protected Areas and multi-scale environmental governance
Nature connectedness and risk
Urban ecology, resilience, and adaptive capacity within/across communities
Historical perspectives and diverse geographies (Global South/North; urban/rural; marine/other)
Policy design and analysis to reconnect with nature across scales.

The Summer School seeks innovative ways to reverse declining human–nature relationships, especially in urban contexts. We aim to shape new connections between people and nature in research and everyday life (hands-on experience), and identify pathways to scale these initiatives.

Provisional Programme

Day 1

Sunday (26/7): Arrival, with formal welcome, dinner and wander around the convent

Day 2

Monday (27/7):

8.30-9.00: Breakfast ad daily arrivals

9.00-9.45: Introduction to the Summer School by NOVA & Warwick

9.45-10.45 Keynote 1 delivered by Harini Nagendra (Azim Primzi, India) on urban resilience, human well-being and environmental governance

10.45-11.00: Coffee break

11.00-12.00: Interactive workshop led by Elena Korosteleva (Warwick), on Philosophies of Living with Nature and Resilience

12.00-13.00: Creative session 1 led by Harriet Richmond (Warwick)

13.00-14.00: Lunch

14.00-16.00: Creative session 2 led by Harriet Richmond & Jane Webb (Warwick)

16.00-18.30: Participant coursework (supported by mentors)

18.30-20.00 field exercise led by Caroline Mello and Anje Disterheft

20.00-21.00: Dinner

Day 3

Tuesday (28/7)

8.30-9.00: Breakfast and daily arrivals

9.00-9.15: Day layout

9.15-10.00: Lecture by Alice Nunes (ecology)

10.00-10.45: Lecture by Christopher Ives (geography)

10.45-11.00: Coffee break

11.00-13.00: Workshop 1 led by Jane Webb and Harriet Richmond

13.00-14.00: Lunch

14.00-16.00: Workshop 2 led by Alexandre Vaz (sociology) and Vasco Coelho (communications)

16.00-18.00: Participant coursework (supported by mentors)

18.00-18.30: Creative session 2 led by Harriet Richmond and Jane Webb

18.30-20.00: Convent exploration

20.00-21.00: Dinner

Day 4

Wednesday (29/7)

8.30-9.00: Breakfast and daily arrivals

9.00-9.15: Day layout explainer

9.15-10.00: Lecture by Paula Antunes (environmental science)

10.00-10.45: Lecture by Rita Lopes

10.45-11.00: Coffee break

11.00-12.00: Lecture by TBC

12.00-13.00: ECR project pitch by Joao Camboa, Irene Ramirez, Christina Reis and Salome Areias

13.00-14.00: Lunch

14.00-18.30: Field visit to Protected Area

18.30-20.00: Visit to the beach (optional) with Yorgos Stratoudakis

20.00-21.00: Dinner

Day 5

Thursday (30/7)

8.30-9.00: Breakfast and daily arrivals

9.00-9.15: Day layout explainer

9.15-10.45: Lecture 4 by Lory Barile (economics, Warwick)

10.45-11.00: Coffee break

11.00-12.00: Dialogue on conflicts by Miguel Sequeira, Elena Korosteleva,

Yorgos Stratoudakis & Lory Barile

12.00-13.00: Workshop 4 by Filipa Silva (ZERO)

13.00-14.00: Lunch

14.00-15.00: Field exercise

15.00-16.00: Creative Session with Harriet Richmond

16.30-18.30: Participant coursework with mentors

18.30-20.00: PNA exploration

20.00-21.00: Dinner

Day 6

Friday (31/7)

8.30-9.00: Breakfast and daily arrivals

9.00-11.00: Keynote 2 TBC

11.00-12.30: Policy Dialogue for policy impact with Elena Korosteleva, Teresa Pinto Correia, Lory Barile, Francisco

12.45-13.45: Lunch

14.15-14.30: Concluding event

14.30-16.30: Group presentations

17.00-18.00: A Final Plenary

How to apply

We are inviting prospective Warwick researchers to fill in the registration form below, accompanied by:

a CV
an abstract (500 words maximum)
a brief motivation letter (no more than 2 pages)
a supervisor/line manager support letter (download templateLink opens in a new window).

The deadline for submitting the above is

10 April 2026 (17:00).

Selected candidates will be informed by the end of April.

Apply Now

Important Information

Application submission deadline: 10 April 2026
The call is open to all PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
Places are limited to five University of Warwick PhD/Postdoc researchers.
All expenses will be covered by the University of Warwick, including a registration fee.

Selection Criteria

Suitability of the submitted abstract to the call’s theme.
Interdisciplinary background of the participant.
Strong cover letter to explain how participation within the summer school would support/relate to the applicants’ study and research or practice.
Career stage of participants (preference will be given to those at mid to advanced stages of their research/practice).
Gender diversity and participants from underrepresented geographies/areas of conflict will be prioritised.

Venue

Convento da Arrábida, Azeitão, Portugal

The training school will be held within the Arrábida Natural Park, 40 km south of Lisbon, Portugal, within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Related Opportunities

Sustainability Training Academy (STA) - See previous Sustainability Training SchoolsLink opens in a new window organised by the University of Warwick.