Academics4Rail & PhDs EU-Rail – Physical Meeting
Tue, 29 September 2026 09:00 – Wed, 30 September 2026 13:30
Academics4Rail & PhDs EU-Rail meet in person for two days of research, collaboration and bold ideas.
Day 1 – Stakeholders & World Café: rotating discussions on social aspects, train-infrastructure interaction, operations, train management and cross-cutting topics — from accessibility and gender equality to ERTMS, virtual coupling and rail-enabled urban logistics. Outcomes presented in the afternoon, followed by a gender workshop and networking dinner.
Day 2 – PhD Research: management & control progress, plus doctoral candidates showcasing their work through short videos and feedback from the community.
This is where the next generation of rail innovation takes shape. 🇪🇺✨
Agenda:
DAY 1 – Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Theme: Stakeholders & World Café
Morning Session
- 09:00 – 09:30 | Registration & Welcome Coffee
- 09:30 – 09:50 | World Café Introduction (UIC, ENX)
- 09:50 – 12:20 | World Café Sessions (rotations between tables)
Discussion tables:
- Table 1: Social aspects (UMA)
- Table 2: Train-Infrastructure Interaction (UPM, LTU)
- Table 3: Operations (ZGR)
- Table 4: Train Management (UGE)
- Table 5: Cross-cutting topics (LEEDS)
| World Café | ||||
| Table 1 | Table 2 | Table 3 | Table 4 | Table 5 |
| Social aspects of railways | Train-infrastructure interaction | Operations | Train management | Cross-cutting |
| Inclusion & accessibility of individuals with intellectual disability | Additive manufacturing in wheel reprofiling | Aerodynamics of freight trains | ICT platforms for reliable and interoperable ERTMS systems | Innovations implementation in railways |
| Education and training in railways | Prognostics and health management approach for railway asset maintenance | Human factors in digital command and control systems | Driving assistance | Economic impact (KPI) of rail research programs (David Pierce / WP3 Academics4Rail) |
| Gender equality in the railway sector | Bridge-train dynamics normative framework | Fast night train operations | Digital communications for virtual coupling | Rail-enabled urban logistics |
| Electromagnetic compatibility |
- Rotations: 10:20 / 10:50 / 11:20 / 11:50
- 12:20 – 14:00 | Lunch Break
Afternoon Session – Results & Wrap-up
- 14:00 – 14:50 | Presentation of World Café outcomes
- Table 1 → LILE / ASTON
- Table 2 → EHU / UPORTO
- Table 3 → PMI / TUB
- Table 4 → SSSA / UPHF
- Table 5 → KYIV / UPCE
- 14:50 – 15:30 | Final Remarks & AOB
- 15:30 – 15:45 | Coffee break
- (Side event by invitation only, contact UMA
- From 18:30 | Social Dinner
DAY 2 – Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Morning Session
- 09:00 – 09:30 | Coffee Welcome
- 09:30 – 11:00 | Management & Control Progress
- 11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee Break
- 11:30 – 13:00 | Showcase of PhD Research through Short Videos (max. 3 min per PhD)