4th Training School of the SUSTAIN COST Action
COST Action CA21144
4th Training School of the SUSTAIN COST Action (CA22144): “SUSTAIN delves below ground at the dawn of the climate change”
We are pleased to announce the 4th Training School of the SUSTAIN COST Action (CA22144), titled: SUSTAIN Delves Below Ground at the Dawn of Climate Change. This event will be hosted by the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Democritus University of Thrace, located in Alexandroupolis. Although the Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, based in Orestiada, is organizing the event, the hosting responsibilities have been assigned to the Department in Alexandroupolis for logistical purposes.
About the event
Over three immersive days, you will engage in collaborative learning, connect with leading voices in the field, and help shape the future of soil salinity monitoring. Whether you are in environmental science, agriculture, remote sensing, or water management—this is your chance to be part of something that matters.
Why you should join
Soil salinity is silently reshaping the way we grow food, manage water, and prepare for the future. As climate change accelerates, understanding how, where, and when salt is affecting our soils is more urgent than ever.
This Training School invites early-career researchers and experts from across disciplines to come together, dig deep—literally—and explore:
- Where our current methods for monitoring soil salinity fall short
- How space and time matter when it comes to capturing salinity changes
- Which new tools and technologies show the most promise for accurate, real-time monitoring of both soil and water salinity
Through hands-on sessions, expert talks, and peer exchange, we will strengthen the science and build the networks needed to better track, understand, and respond to salinity issues in a warming world.
Trainers:
- Michalis Orfanoudakis, Ass. Professor, Department of Forestry and Management of Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece (local coordinator)/
- Ibrahim Ortas, Professor, Department of Soil Scince, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey.
- Katarzyna Negacz, Professor, Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- More to be announcent
Organizational details
- Up to 15 trainees will be selected and financially supported (long distance travel and daily allowance) by SUSTAIN according to the Annotated Rules.
- Please note that the participants are responsible to organise their accommodation, transportation, visa, etc. on their own.
- For the field day you will need: light clothes and closed shoes for fieldwork, sun protection including a hat and sunscreen, and mosquito repellent.
Application for the Training School is now open!
Application deadline: June 30th, 2025
Closing date: 7th of July 2025
We look forward to seeing you there
The Organizing Committee