2nd Sustainable Regional Development Academy
Call for applicants
The Portuguese Regional Science Association (APDR) is pleased to announce the organisation of the Sustainable Regional Development Academy, which will be held in Barcelos, Portugal, at the Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave, from June 30 to July 1 of 2026, just before the 2026 APDR conference (2-3 July).
The Sustainable Regional Development Academy will be organized for a maximum of 25 participants.
The Academy is designed as a springboard for successful academic careers by examining important issues such as publishing, reviewing, and collaborative research; the event also provides networking opportunities.
During the Sustainable Regional Development Academy, the participants will:
- Develop a collaborative research project based on the case study of Águas do Norte, S.A.
- Understand the specifics of wastewater treatment and the supply chain value in the water sector.
- Identify problems related to the decarbonisation of wastewater treatment plants, considering different perspectives (e.g., economic, financial, social, and environmental).
- Design a strategic plan proposal aimed at solving the problem of decarbonisation of wastewater treatment plants.
- Present and discuss the proposed solution to the identified problem.
Participants will have the opportunity to visit Águas do Norte’s facilities, during which a lecture will be given providing an overview of the company and contextualizing the problem of decarbonizing wastewater treatment plants. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative data about the study will be presented.
Under the supervision of Águas do Norte’s Corporate Sustainability Coordinator, participants will work in groups to develop a proposal addressing the problem presented, using a range of empirical and applied methods and appropriate software platforms (e.g., Spatial Econometric Analysis and Generalised Q Analysis). Each group will develop a portfolio outlining their ideas and proposed solutions to the challenges set by the company and will present a short pitch at the end of the academy.
Águas do Norte, S.A. is a water utility formed through the merger of regional operators and tasked with managing the water supply and wastewater systems for multiple municipalities in Northern Portugal, ensuring efficient, continuous service and infrastructure development across the region. More information is available on the website: https://www.adnorte.pt.
Goal
The goal of the Sustainable Development Academy is to provide the participants with methodological skills and research experience, in addition to the opportunity to reflect on and develop proposals for solving real-world problems related to environmental sustainability. It will encourage meaningful discussions and exchange of ideas between the participants and field experts, fostering long-term academic collaboration.
Format
The Sustainable Regional Development Academy has the following structure:
- Presentation of a real-world challenge related to the decarbonisation of wastewater treatment plants, launched by the company Águas do Norte.
- Visit to the facilities of the company Águas do Norte.
- Group work on the challenge launched, with a view to developing a proposed solution to the problem presented, using various tools related to design thinking.
- Students’ Presentation Sessions, where they could present and discuss their proposals with the instructors and researchers.
Applications – Terms and Conditions
Selection of participants
The Sustainable Regional Development Academy will aim to gather participants from any research field interested in developing skills and learning new methods on the topic of environmental sustainability.
The number of participants is limited to 25.
Application submission
Participants who want to participate in the Sustainable Regional Development Academy should submit their application via email (apdr@apdr.pt) by March 15, 2026 (midnight CET) and include (in PDF format):
• A one-page Motivation letter
• A one-page CV of the applicant
Registration
After notification of acceptance, the accepted applicants must register and pay the participation fee before the registration deadline.
The fee
Participation fee: €195 (until May 31, 2026).
The fee includes:
- (June 30 and July 1) 2 days of Sustainable Regional Development Academy with Technical Excursion;
- (July 2-3) 2 days of 2026 APDR Congress;
- Lunches and coffee breaks for the 4 days;
- Official dinner (July 2).
Please note: Participants must cover their own travel and accommodation expenses to/from the Academy venue.