This three-day summer conference brings together doctoral candidates, master’s students, supervisors, researchers, and experts from across engineering and spatial disciplines. The conference provides a platform for presenting research, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, networking, and engaging with broader challenges. Each day focuses on a core theme: Space, Technology, and Environment, covering topics from urban and maritime spatial planning to AI-driven systems, sustainable construction, and climate performance.
Why to join?
Connect with PhD and master’s students from universities across disciplines, share your research, and build meaningful academic and professional networks. Enjoy inspiring discussions on space, technology, and the environment in a relaxed summer setting that blends learning with time to unwind alongside fellow engineers.
TOPIC DESCRIPTIONS
Space 09 June 2026
Urban & Spatial Planning | Policies, vitality, and sustainable development of settlements |
Architecture & Design Innovation | Design quality, morphology, and adaptation to climate |
Maritime & Spatial Infrastructure | Ports, waterways, and maritime spatial planning |
Smart Urban Systems | Digital urban twins, mobility, and city data |
Technology 10 June 2026
AI, Modeling and simulations | Data-driven, ML, and simulation methods in engineering and design |
Smart Systems and Digital Twins | Integration of digital systems for monitoring and control |
Building & Energy Technologies | Advanced energy, HVAC, and automation systems |
Engineering Materials & Structures | New materials, crashworthiness, and structural analysis |
Environment 11 June 2026
Sustainable Construction & Circular Materials | Life-cycle thinking and reuse in the built environment |
Water & Pollution Management | Urban drainage, pollution control, and ecosystem health |
Energy & Climate Performance | Building physics, low-carbon solutions, and resilience |
Environmental Assessment & Policy | LCA, metrics, and governance for sustainability |
CONFERENCE TIMELINE
PROGRAMME
Each day of the conference starts with an intriguing keynote lecture from an expert in space, technology, or environmental topics, followed by engaging presentations and poster sessions by doctoral candidates. The program concludes with a panel discussion, which wraps up the day and leads into evening social activities and networking.
Topic: Space
This day focuses on how cities and spaces are planned, designed, and managed – bringing together urban policy, architectural innovation, maritime and spatial infrastructure, and smart digital systems.
The organisers will provide transportation from Tallinn & Tartu to the venue on the morning of Day 1.
--- TBA latest 17 May 2026 ---
Topic: Technology
This day brings together AI, modeling and simulation, smart digital systems, advanced building and energy technologies, and innovative engineering materials to explore how data-driven tools and technologies are transforming engineering design, performance, and resilience.
--- TBA latest 17 May 2026 ---
Topic: Environment
This day brings together sustainable construction, circular materials, water and pollution management, energy and climate performance, and environmental assessment to explore solutions for creating resilient, low-impact, and well-governed built and natural environments.
The organisers will provide transportation back to Tallinn & Tartu from the venue on the evening of Day 3.
--- TBA latest 17 May 2026 ---
SPEAKERS AND TOPICS
Keynote speakers will be announced soon.
GUIDELINES FOR PhD CANDIDATES:
There are two ways to present your research at the conference: oral presentation and poster presentation.
To present your research, you must submit an abstract (250 words) describing the topic and purpose (why it is important), stating the research problem or gap, method, results (major findings), conclusion, and significance (what it means). The abstract may describe your current work or one of the latest articles you have worked on.
An oral presentation requires prepared slides in PowerPoint. The presentation length is 7-8 minutes, leaving 2-3 minutes for audience questions. This is a suggested format for a candidate in their 3rd year or later, allowing them to present their most recent findings in their field of research.
A poster presentation will be held in an electronic format, presenting posters on screens during designated times each day of the conference. This is a suggested format for a candidate in their 1st or 2nd year, as it could raise awareness of the researched problem, present initial outcomes of the PhD journey, and raise a discussion among the viewers and the presenter, helping to generate new knowledge in the field.
The organisers will update the participants with more detailed requirements soon.
Please choose your preferred method of presentation when submitting an abstract via the registration form. The organisers will consider the preferred method but reserve the right to change it for the clarity and flow of the event.
The abstract submission deadline: 29 March 2026.
Please submit your abstract through the registration form below:
--- REGISTRATION BUTTON ---
Link under the button: Registration: SPACE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT – PhD Conference 2026 – Fill in form
Submission of final, accepted posters or presentations: 7 June 2026.
The organisers will remind you to send the final files.
ORGANISING TEAM
Madis Ratassepp – Senior Researcher, Programme Director
Ene Pähn – Assistant to Manager
Helena Kuivjõgi - Early Stage Researcher, Member of the Senat, Member of the Scientific Committee
Francisco Tienda Resendez - Early Stage Researcher
Jelena Kazak - Early Stage Researcher
Project "Cooperation between universities to promote doctoral studies" (2021-2027.4.04.24-0003) is co-funded by the European Union.
