Improving the presentation skills of PhD students and promoting cooperation among research groups have been the main objectives of the sixth edition of the JRU Research School, a joint initiative of the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC) and Agrotecnio, held annually. This year’s event, held on October 30 and 31 at the ETSEAFIV campus, included sessions for presenting results, practical workshops, debates, and social activities to foster interaction and learning among PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and group leaders.
he program was structured into three sessions and three practical workshops. The sessions addressed topics related to forest management and dynamics, forest health and disturbances, and ecosystem services, and were delivered by PhD students from both centers, CTFC and Agrotecnio. The practical workshops offered were: “From the laboratory to the stage,” on scientific communication techniques and impactful presentations; “How to manage a debate,” to learn how to lead constructive and respectful academic discussions; and “Introduction to UAV platforms with LiDAR and hyperspectral technologies,” dedicated to the use of drones with laser and hyperspectral technology applied to forest sciences.
The Research School is part of the shared commitment between CTFC and Agrotecnio to the comprehensive training of young researchers and the transfer of knowledge in the forestry and agri-food fields. The Joint Research Unit (JRU) between Agrotecnio and CTFC, created in 2019, was established with the goal of promoting joint projects on the management of Mediterranean forests and the environmental threats they face. In 2020, the Research School was launched, an initiative led by early-career researchers that seek to foster collaboration, training, and the exchange of experiences within the scientific community.