The EU-CONEXUS Conference 2026: Challenges, Innovative Solutions and Collaborative Actions for Sustainable Urban Coastal Development took place in Athens from 10 to 12 June, hosted by the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA).
Conference sessions at the AUA Conference Centre and Technopolis City of Athens brought together more than 200 researchers, academics, students and organisational representatives from across Europe. Bachelor and PhD students, professional, management and support staff (PMSS), researchers and academics from South East Technological University (SETU) participated in the event.
Organised under the theme ‘Sustainable and Resilient Solutions for Energy and Environment’, the conference explored challenges including climate change adaptation, energy transition, environmental protection, sustainable urban development and infrastructure resilience. Through scientific presentations, poster sessions, workshops and networking activities, participants had opportunities to exchange ideas, develop partnerships and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration.
PhD student Mohammad Aghdam said one of the key outcomes of the conference was gaining a broader understanding of the environmental implications of wind turbine blade erosion, particularly the importance of considering the impacts of microplastics in ecosystems and integrating sustainability assessments into future research.
Dr Emily Shakespeare and Dr Robin Stubbs reflected on presenting the Cúpla Trá project and participating in Horizon Europe workshops that explored innovative neighbourhood design with strong environmental and social benefits. They highlighted the potential to replicate aspects of the Waterford-based project across other regions within the alliance.
Researcher Emily Kim described a presentation on AI as a research companion as particularly valuable, noting its emphasis on using AI to support time-intensive tasks while ensuring that decision-making remains firmly in human hands.
PhD student Fionn Farrell said the conference demonstrated how remote sensing can support policy development and opened up potential opportunities for collaboration with members of the Geoinformatics research group at the University of Rostock.
For PhD student Farzaneh Khast, presenting her poster created opportunities to receive feedback, engage with researchers working in sustainable materials, biotechnology and environmental sustainability, and build relationships that may lead to future collaborations.
Approaching the completion of his PhD, Ionnais Markou said the conference provided valuable insights into how institutions are integrating sustainability, digital transformation and community engagement into both teaching and research, broadening his understanding of international collaboration and innovation.
Impact of the EU-CONEXUS conference
As an alliance of nine universities, the EU-CONEXUS conference continues to be an important forum for developing collaborations and generating new ideas.
Mohammad Aghdam said the alliance provides an excellent platform for students and staff to exchange knowledge, develop international networks and engage with researchers from diverse disciplines, while also enhancing SETU’s international profile and creating opportunities for future partnerships.
Jessica Harrison, Assistant Lecturer in Education for Sustainable Development, described the conference as “a great opportunity to connect with researchers across disciplines and learn from other sectors,” highlighting the importance of breaking down disciplinary boundaries to advance sustainability research and practice.
Clare Martin, Learning Technologist with the Centre for Academic Practice, called it “the best professional event I’ve attended in a long time”, explaining that the experience was eye-opening in demonstrating how sustainability, earth sciences, natural environments and education intersect.
Strengthening SETU connections
For Michelle Clancy, Lecturer in the School of Business, one of the unexpected benefits of attending the conference was the opportunity to establish new relationships and strengthen existing connections both across the EU-CONEXUS network and within SETU itself. Conversations with colleagues from Carlow and Wexford also created opportunities for future interdisciplinary collaborations.
She noted that discussions during the poster sessions also sparked interest in exploring future research on pedagogical innovation and collaborative approaches to teaching and learning across the alliance.
Dr Janette Davies echoed these sentiments, describing the conference as “a fantastic opportunity to network with both EU and SETU colleagues” and noting its positive impact in strengthening SETU’s identity as one university community.
As her first international research conference, Farzaneh Khast said the experience significantly improved her confidence in communicating research, engaging with international audiences and learning from a diverse range of research topics and approaches. She was also impressed by the strong participation of students at all levels.
Anne Crowley highlighted the value of the social programme, noting that the cultural visit to the museum and historic walk through Athens provided an opportunity to learn more about the city and connect with other attendees in a more informal setting.
Summing up the experience, Dr Thomas Curran said the alliance creates opportunities to connect with colleagues and students across Europe, fostering international collaboration, knowledge exchange and cultural awareness. For staff, it supports the development of research networks and joint projects, while for students it provides access to international learning experiences and mobility opportunities.
The conference demonstrated the significant value of the EU-CONEXUS alliance in creating opportunities that extend beyond individual institutions and disciplines. For SETU participants, the experience not only strengthened research networks and generated new ideas but also reinforced the importance of collaboration, sustainability and international engagement in addressing shared societal challenges and shaping future teaching, research and partnership activities.
