Circular Economy Graduate Research Training Summer School 2026
Monash Business School and the University of Padua invite PhD students researching the circular economy to join us in Padua, Italy, for a targeted summer school. Over two days of sessions, we will focus on drawing together and developing a capable network of cross-disciplinary circular economy expert researchers and enhancing research-to-practice translation skills.
PhD students are pushing the boundaries of knowledge - the basis for accelerating the necessary transition to a circular economy. However, addressing the significant challenges being investigated, and magnifying the impact, requires translating this new knowledge into policy, industry, and education practice.
Our summer school will actively engage Circular Economy PhD students with others researching, understanding, and addressing Circular Economy challenges. Students will develop their capabilities to convincingly communicate their circular economy research for adoption and impact in policy, industry, and education contexts. They will also engage with policy, industry, and education guests and activities to enhance translational capabilities.
Guest Experts
Professor John C. Warner, CEO and CTO, Technology Greenhouse, and Distinguished Professor of Green Chemistry, Monash University
Prof Warner is a founder of the Green Chemistry concept, co‑authoring with Paul Anastas its 12 principles, which have shaped global approaches to sustainable design and influenced policy frameworks. He has worked extensively with companies worldwide, translating research into commercially viable, environmentally responsible technologies, and advising multinational corporations on aligning innovation with regulatory and sustainability priorities. An accomplished entrepreneur, he holds over 360 patents and has founded companies across sectors including energy, materials, and water. In academia, he established the world’s first PhD program in Green Chemistry and continues to hold multiple international academic appointments alongside leading Technology Greenhouse.
Industry Experts
- Andrea Mulloni, Head of Sustainability, Arper
- Elisa Pavan, Sustainability Manager, Atlantis Headwear
- Marco Meggiolaro, Innovation & product sustainability manager, Tecnica Group
Policy Experts
- Stefano Soro, Head of Unit, Net Zero Industries, Sustainable and Circular Products, European Commission
- Serenella Sala, Head of Unit, Land Resources and Supply Chain Assessments, European Commission
Hosts
Assistant Professor Paolo Dolcet, University of Padua
Asst/Prof Dolcet has a key passion for sustainable materials, chemistry and circular chemistry practices, and an emerging profile of capability-building experiences. He is a postdoc fellow researching the synthesis and characterisation of crystalline inorganic nanostructures (oxides, sulphides, halides) through colloidal methodologies, with a particular focus on miniemulsion and hydrothermal techniques.
Associate Professor Glen Croy, Department of Management, Monash Business School
A/Prof Croy advocates for the prioritisation of sustainable outcomes for communities and their environments. A core focus is investigating the qualitative valuing and effectiveness of people, environment, and resources in business, and particularly the adoption of circular economy practices to address the barriers traditional business models create and impose. A/Prof Croy has extensive experience in university leadership roles, and in circular economy capability development in industry, policy, and education, including through PhD programs.
Teaching Team
- Professor Silvia Gross (University of Padua)
- Professor Amrik Sohal (Monash University)
- Professor Mauro Carraro (University of Padua)
- Associate Professor Martin Geissdoerfer (Monash University)
- Professor Eleonora Di Maria (University of Padua)
- Associate Professor Maria Cristina Lavagnolo (University of Padua)
- Professor Antonio Patti (Monash University)
- Professor Edward Buckingham (Monash University)
- Doctor Amy Benstead (University of Manchester)
- Lindsay Pressdee (University of Manchester)
- Associate Professor Albachiara Boffelli (University of Bergamo)
- Assistant Professor Beatrice Colombo (University of Bergamo)
- Professor Mathew Hayward (Monash University)
- Associate Professor Ambra Galeazzo (University of Padua)
Further information
Event Details
- Date:
- 18 June 2026 at 9:00 am – 19 June 2026 at 5:00 pm
- Venue:
- University of Padua / Università degli Studi di Padova, Complesso Beato Pellegrino, via E. Vendramini 13, 35137 Padova, PD, Italy
- Categories:
- General; Management
Description
Monash Business School and the University of Padua invite PhD students researching the circular economy to join us in Padua, Italy, for a targeted summer school. Over two days of sessions, we will focus on drawing together and developing a capable network of cross-disciplinary circular economy expert researchers and enhancing research-to-practice translation skills.
PhD students are pushing the boundaries of knowledge - the basis for accelerating the necessary transition to a circular economy. However, addressing the significant challenges being investigated, and magnifying the impact, requires translating this new knowledge into policy, industry, and education practice.
Our summer school will actively engage Circular Economy PhD students with others researching, understanding, and addressing Circular Economy challenges. Students will develop their capabilities to convincingly communicate their circular economy research for adoption and impact in policy, industry, and education contexts. They will also engage with policy, industry, and education guests and activities to enhance translational capabilities.
Guest Experts
Professor John C. Warner, CEO and CTO, Technology Greenhouse, and Distinguished Professor of Green Chemistry, Monash University
Prof Warner is a founder of the Green Chemistry concept, co‑authoring with Paul Anastas its 12 principles, which have shaped global approaches to sustainable design and influenced policy frameworks. He has worked extensively with companies worldwide, translating research into commercially viable, environmentally responsible technologies, and advising multinational corporations on aligning innovation with regulatory and sustainability priorities. An accomplished entrepreneur, he holds over 360 patents and has founded companies across sectors including energy, materials, and water. In academia, he established the world’s first PhD program in Green Chemistry and continues to hold multiple international academic appointments alongside leading Technology Greenhouse.
Industry Experts
- Andrea Mulloni, Head of Sustainability, Arper
- Elisa Pavan, Sustainability Manager, Atlantis Headwear
- Marco Meggiolaro, Innovation & product sustainability manager, Tecnica Group
Policy Experts
- Stefano Soro, Head of Unit, Net Zero Industries, Sustainable and Circular Products, European Commission
- Serenella Sala, Head of Unit, Land Resources and Supply Chain Assessments, European Commission
Hosts
Assistant Professor Paolo Dolcet, University of Padua
Asst/Prof Dolcet has a key passion for sustainable materials, chemistry and circular chemistry practices, and an emerging profile of capability-building experiences. He is a postdoc fellow researching the synthesis and characterisation of crystalline inorganic nanostructures (oxides, sulphides, halides) through colloidal methodologies, with a particular focus on miniemulsion and hydrothermal techniques.
Associate Professor Glen Croy, Department of Management, Monash Business School
A/Prof Croy advocates for the prioritisation of sustainable outcomes for communities and their environments. A core focus is investigating the qualitative valuing and effectiveness of people, environment, and resources in business, and particularly the adoption of circular economy practices to address the barriers traditional business models create and impose. A/Prof Croy has extensive experience in university leadership roles, and in circular economy capability development in industry, policy, and education, including through PhD programs.
Teaching Team
- Professor Silvia Gross (University of Padua)
- Professor Amrik Sohal (Monash University)
- Professor Mauro Carraro (University of Padua)
- Associate Professor Martin Geissdoerfer (Monash University)
- Professor Eleonora Di Maria (University of Padua)
- Associate Professor Maria Cristina Lavagnolo (University of Padua)
- Professor Antonio Patti (Monash University)
- Professor Edward Buckingham (Monash University)
- Doctor Amy Benstead (University of Manchester)
- Lindsay Pressdee (University of Manchester)
- Associate Professor Albachiara Boffelli (University of Bergamo)
- Assistant Professor Beatrice Colombo (University of Bergamo)
- Professor Mathew Hayward (Monash University)
- Associate Professor Ambra Galeazzo (University of Padua)
Further information