FIELD TRAINING SCHOOL AND RESEARCH SEMINAR 2026
URBAN RESEARCH: THEORY AND METHODS
Montecatini Terme, Tuscany, Italy, 26 July – 1 August 2026
Coordinators: Italo Pardo and Giuliana B. Prato, University of Kent, UK
This annual Training School is organised and hosted by the International Urban Symposium-IUS (https://www.internationalurbansymposium.com/) in collaboration with an international interdisciplinary group of senior scholars from leading universities.
More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities, and this proportion is expected to increase to two-thirds by 2050. Urbanisation proceeding at such a pace has meant increases in the number and size of cities but also continues to alter the social fabric of urban centres. The socio-economic, political and cultural ramifications of these multifaceted contemporary urban changes highlight the need to understand what is going on in our cities; hence the importance of ethnographic research, and the attendant methodological and theoretical questions.
This 7-day Field Training School is aimed at postgraduate students, postdoctoral scholars and early career academics interested in research in urban settings and in empirically-grounded analysis. The primary aim is to train participants in the “art” of conducting ethnographic fieldwork and develop the link between ethnographically-based analysis and social theory with specific attention to legitimacy and legitimation; governance, urban diversity; stereotype and stigma; informality; application and challenges of digital technologies; health; public space; vernacular landscape; heritage.
The School offers an interactive learning environment and opportunities to discuss the rationale and practices of traditional and new research methods and mainstream debates. It will provide an opportunity to become part of an international network, establishing long-lasting connections with both other participants and the teaching staff.
The School Programme will include:
- Teaching Seminars led by international senior scholars, who will use a wide range of ethnographic, methodological and theoretical expertise to address topical issues.
- Targeted Observational Field Excursions. These structured city walks and observational field excursions will supplement the in-class work. Participants are expected to produced brief reports which will be presented during a dedicated session.
- Research Seminars. With a view to honing and developing junior scholars’ skills as future professionals, the research seminar will give participants the opportunity to present their work, engage in academic debate and benefit from expert feedback from the teaching staff. Feedback on how to revise oral presentations for publication will be offered. Expanded and revised versions of select Seminar papers may be considered for publication in the open-access, peer-reviewed journal Urbanities-Journal of Urban Ethnography.
Teaching and seminar discussions will be in English. Participants are expected to complete the selected readings provided before the start of the School and actively engage in discussion.
Work starts in the morning of Sunday 26th July and ends in the evening of Saturday 1st August. Participants are expected to arrive in the afternoon of Saturday 25th July and leave in the Morning of Sunday 2nd August.
Social events will also take place, benefiting from the centrality of the location within easy reach of Tuscany’s world-renowned iconic places.
APPLICATION
To apply, please download the Application Form here and return the completed Form to the School Convenors: Prof. Italo Pardo at i.pardo@kent.ac.uk and Prof. Giuliana B. Prato at g.b.prato@kent.ac.uk
In the Application Form please provide:
- A brief description of research interests;
- For applicants who wish to present a paper during the Research Seminar, a 200-word abstract of the proposed paper.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Applications will be accepted until Monday, 22 March 2026.
REGISTRATION FEES
- The standard fee for the event is €940. This fee will cover single room Hotel Accommodation (B&B) for 8 nights (Arr. 25th July, Dep. 2nd August), light lunch, tuition, teaching materials, facilities, internet access, coffee breaks and certificate of attendance.
- Alternative accommodation: By arrangement with the organisers, participants may be able to share a twin room. If this option is chosen, the total fee will be €780 per person.
All hotel rooms are en-suite. Travel and other living expenses are not included.
IMPORTANT DATES and DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION
- Applications will be accepted until 22 March 2026.
- The outcome of the selection process will be communicated to all applicants by Friday, 10 April 2026.
- Registration Fee should be paid by Monday, 18 May 2026.
TRAVEL and VISA INFORMATION
- Travel Information: Montecatini Terme is easily reachable by train and by air. Details on travel information are available here
- Visa Information: Italy is in the EU Schengen area, so Schengen Visa rules apply to enter for the purpose of the School. Further information and relevant links are available here
Contact emails: Prof. Italo Pardo (i.pardo@kent.ac.uk) and Prof. Giuliana B. Prato (g.b.prato@kent.ac.uk)