♻️UPCYCLE Kick-Off Meeting with Doctoral Candidates at Politecnico di Milano (27–29 January 2026)♻️
Following the initial project kick-off with academic and associated partners, the UPCYCLE Doctoral Network held its first Kick-Off Meeting involving Doctoral Candidates from 27 to 29 January 2026 at Politecnico di Milano, Italy. This meeting marked the official start of the doctoral phase of the project, bringing together all 15 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) alongside academic and industrial partners.
- The first day of the meeting focused on building a strong research network and aligning all participants with the project vision. Doctoral Candidates, university partners, and industry collaborators introduced their roles and expertise, while project objectives, structure, and expectations were presented to establish a shared foundation for collaboration. The day also included discussions with Ioannis Bitsios, UPCYCLE Project Officer, who provided insights and feedback on the project framework and expectations.
- The second day was dedicated to technical training across the molecular, reactor, and process scales, introducing the multiscale framework that underpins UPCYCLE. These sessions highlighted the integration of experimental work, modelling activities, and sustainability assessment within the project.
- The third day was dedicated to professional development, featuring soft-skills training delivered by Fraser and Rosie from Fistral Training and Consultancy Ltd. (UK). The sessions focused on the DISC behavioural framework and on fostering effective and constructive supervisory relationships, both essential for a successful doctoral research experience. The training was jointly organised with the DESIRE Doctoral Network, enabling interaction and exchange between Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks.
The UPCYCLE consortium warmly thanks all academic and industrial partners for their active participation and valuable contributions. This successful kick-off marks the beginning of a collaborative journey, bringing together diverse expertise to foster innovation, strengthen partnerships, and drive impactful research within the UPCYCLE Doctoral Network.
