about

 

In January 2026, the University of Florence will host a full week of advanced training for young researchers in urban studies, spatial planning, and the social sciences. The 12th Research Methodology Winter School (19–21 January 2026) will be followed by its Extended Edition, the OBSERVISTA Training School on Applied Ontology for Conceptual Analysis and Systematisation (22–23 January 2026).

 

Across five days, participants will engage in a coordinated learning pathway that combines methodological foundations with advanced tools for conceptual clarification, systematisation, and terminology-building—particularly in relation to terrain vague and urban studies.

 

The Winter School offers an intensive programme on research design, methods, and analytical techniques, while the Training School deepens conceptual and ontological competencies. Registration in the Winter School grants 4 ECTS credits and includes complimentary access (as a bonus) to the Training School, offered as an extension of the programme. Participation in the Training School provides an additional 2 ECTS credits.

 

Together, the two events create a unique integrated environment for strengthening methodological literacy, enhancing conceptual rigour, and supporting the development of high-quality academic research.

 

The opportunity of individual meetings with faculty members on research projects and papers is offered to participants in the programme

 

structure

A network of scholars from a number of Italian universities, engaged with doctoral courses, have voluntarily set up a PhD learning project on research methodology in the field of planning and urban studies.

 

The school is organized around the following main sections:

 

BASICS

Basic questions will be addressed, including: how to write an academic article or a PhD Thesis, and, how to publish in international scientific journals.

 

RESEARCH DESIGN

We will address: an overall strategy to integrate the different components of a qualitative study and effectively address the research problem. We will address topics including: questions about what research design is and what it is not, how to make sure all parts are properly in place before “tightening”, and why are you thinking of doing a qualitative study of the topic chosen.

 

METHODOLOGICAL QUESTIONS [METHODS]

Parallel workshop will be offered, addressing topics including: questions related to methods of qualitative and quantitative research and to the re- search-action approach, and, the challenge of working with comparative approaches beyond the stereotyped ‘divides’ that have influenced inter- national research (north/south divide; formal/informal etc.). 

 

APPROACHES

We will address hot topics in the field of planning and urban studies this section from a methodological perspective. Leading scholars in the field will give a talk addressing their methodological approaches to the topic.

 

RENT A RESEARCHER

“Rent a Researcher” is an opportunity to meet researches in an interesting, engaging and approachable way: a number of Italian scholars are available for peer-to-peer one-to-one meetings with a limited number of PhD candidates and young academics for exchange and tutoring activities.

 

registration

 

The Winter School will be held in English. 

 

Registration Fees and Access to the Training School

 

The registration fee for the Winter School includes complimentary access to the OBSERVISTA Training School on Applied Ontology, offered as a bonus extension of the programme. Participants who attend both activities will receive an additional 2 ECTS credits on top of the 4 ECTS credits awarded for completing the three-day Winter School.

 

Participation in the Training School is optional. It remains fully possible to register for and attend only the Winter School.

 

IMPORTANT DATES AND INFO:

October 26, 2025: Applications for registration are officially open!

December 22 (flexible), 2025: Application for registration deadline (or before due to limited availability) (Google form for registration). 

December 31, 2025: Deadline for requests to cancel registration and receive a refund net of transaction costs. Registrations cannot be canceled or refunded after this date.

Number of attendees accepted: 80

 

Fee: 220€ (it includes: lunches; coffee breaks; the welcoming aperitif cost; the cost of the participation in the School)

 

The fee does not include: travel cost to reach the venue, accommodation, and the local tourist tax (4€/person/each day), the social dinner (which is around 30€) and the aperitif.

 

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES SUPPORTED BY EURA - European Urban Research Association:

Students from low income countries are encouraged to apply. Participation grants will be available thanks to the generous support of EURA - European Urban Research Association. Further details on the application process will be added soon to this page. ELIGIBLE STUDENTS SHOULD SEND A MESSAGE TO THE CONTACT EMAIL ( winterschool.rmflorence@gmail.com) TO EXPRESS WILLINGNESS TO APPLY FOR THE GRANT, stating GRANT REQUEST in the subject heading of the email. Please note that only the students who send this request will receive the application form for the grants.

The Winter School will provide a certificate of participation and 4 credits ECTS for students attending 3 days, or 6 credits ECTS for students attending 5 days.

 

Organizing Scientific Committee

 

Camilla Perrone - Università degli Studi di Firenze (coord.)

Francesco Chiodelli - Università di Torino
Stefano Moroni - Politecnico di Milano
Filippo Schilleci - Università di Palermo
Barbara Pizzo - Sapienza Università di Roma

with

Matteo Basso - IUAV
Michele Campagna - Università di Cagliari 
Leonardo Chiesi - Università degli Studi di Firenze

Giancarlo Cotella - Politecnico di Torino
Luciano De Bonis - Università del Molise
Anita De Franco - Politecnico di Milano

Lidia Decandia - Università di Sassari

David Fanfani - Università di Firenze
Valeria Fedeli - Politecnico di Milano
Giulia Guadagnoli - Università di Firenze

Lorenzo Stefano Iannizzotto - DINÂMIA'CET-Iscte, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon

Umberto Janin Rivolin - Politecnico di Torino 

Laura Lieto - Università Federico II di Napoli
Anna Marson - IUAV
Lucia Nucci - Università di Roma 3
Elena Ostanel - IUAV
Marco Picone - Università di Palermo
Maddalena Rossi - Università di Firenze
Laura Saija - Università di Catania
Loris Servillo - Politecnico di Torino
Maria Rosaria Stufano Melone - Politecnico di Bari

Carla Tedesco - IUAV

 

Invited scholars

 

Greta Adamo - Libera Università di Bolzano

Stefano Borgo - ISTC, CNR

Riccardo De Benedictis - ISTC, CNR

Roberta Ferrario - ISTC, CNR

Krystallia Kamvasinou - University of Westminster (Action Chair CA24134 - OBSERVISTA)

Alexandra Paio -  ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon

Max Willis - Polytechnic University of Valencia

 

Organizing team:

 

Giulia Guadagnoli (coordinator), Margot Diradourian, Edison França, Bianca Galmarini, Eni Nurihana, Stefania Zaccaro - Università degli Studi di Firenze, Maria Rosaria Stufano Melone - Politecnico di Bari with the support of Benedetta Masiani - Università degli Studi di Firenze

 

 

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