PhD candidate Leona Matotek participated in the 10th edition of the international Earth Systems Summer School, held from 19 to 24 July 2026 at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. Her participation in the summer school formed part of her professional development within the PACT-VIRA project.
This year’s summer school, titled Land–Atmosphere–Ocean Interactions in a Changing Planet: A Hands-on Approach to Earth Observation and Modelling, focused on interactions between land, the atmosphere and the ocean in the context of climate and environmental change. The programme brought together around thirty PhD students and early-career researchers, as well as numerous scientists from Portuguese and international institutions.
During the six-day programme, participants attended lectures and practical workshops on climate and environmental change, natural hazards, the sustainable management of Earth’s resources, and contemporary methods of Earth observation and modelling. Particular attention was devoted to meteorological measurements, remote sensing, oceanography, palaeomagnetism, coastal erosion, and the relationship between climate change and natural processes. The programme also included fieldwork in Rabaçal and Figueira da Foz.
Leona presented her doctoral research in a short pitch session for PhD students, while the summer school concluded with group presentations of the results of the practical work.
Participation in the summer school provided an opportunity to acquire new interdisciplinary knowledge and practical research skills, as well as to exchange experiences with PhD students and scientists from a range of European and international institutions.
More information on: https://idl.ciencias.ulisboa.pt/2026-summer-school