April 7-8, 2025

Earlier this year, a successful online kick-off of VIU's new Cities and Global Change Research Network was held on January 22, bringing together over 30 participants from VIU's member institutions. The virtual gathering marked the launch of a promising collaboration focused on some of the most pressing challenges facing today’s urban environments.

Building on this momentum, a two-day in-person workshop was held last week on April 7-8, 2025, bringing together 23 scholars and research officers from 10 member institutions to shape the agenda of the research network.

Starting from the key topics discussed during the kick-off, including climate change impact and urban adaptation, cultural heritage in cities, refugees and migration in urban contexts, urban-nature interaction, and governance and planning aspects, a common interest emerged around the theme of Urban Wellbeing, Quality of Life, and Living Cities.

Participants began working to define shared research questions, theoretical frameworks, and methodologies—laying the groundwork for robust, interdisciplinary research proposals.

The Research Network's next steps include:
- Defining core research questions
- Establishing a shared theoretical and methodological foundation
- Seeking co-funding opportunities to support ongoing network development

The goal is to develop joint research proposals to be submitted to major funding schemes such as EU Horizon Europe, national funding agencies, and private foundations as well as other joint activities, such as workshops, training at PhD level, and publications.

For further information: 
ilda.mannino@univiu.org