Announcing the 2025 Summer School in Greece


The Texas A&M Energy Institute is proud to announce the kickoff of its 2025 Summer School in Greece, a part of the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, which is organized by the Texas A&M Energy Institute in cooperation with the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.


Agios Dimitrios Power Plant in Western Macedonia
Agios Dimitrios Power Plant in Western Macedonia

AI for Next-Generation Agriculture at the Nexus of Energy Security and Rural Transformation: A Policy and Ethical Analysis in Post-Lignite Greece

2025 Summer School in Greece

This interdisciplinary project explores the potential of AI-driven solutions to enhance next-generation agriculture, energy security, environmental sustainability, and rural prosperity in areas transitioning away from coal. As part of this experiential learning opportunity, students will conduct policy and stakeholder analyses, examining the ethical considerations and governance frameworks surrounding the integration of AI in agricultural practices, impacts for energy security, and rural transformation strategies. The research employs a case study approach, focusing on the areas of Megalopolis and Western Macedonia in Greece. Students will explore how AI can optimize resource management (including water), improve crop yields, and promote economic diversification, supporting, in parallel, carbon capture processes and energy abundance in post-lignite communities, while addressing the social and environmental impacts of lignite phase-out. The project will emphasize the importance of stakeholder engagement and participatory governance in ensuring that AI-driven solutions are aligned with local needs and values.

Over the course of the 9-week program, the participants in the program will contribute to this blog as they prepare to conduct the research, while in the field in Greece, and after the research is analyzed.

Join us for this exciting journey!



Location: College Station, TX, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 6 – Greece, Day 4

Image
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025 Yassas (hello) from Greece! It's now our team's fourth day in the country. We fortunately had safe and smooth travels, having a quick layover in Toronto and no delays along the way. Landing in Athens, we spent our first day getting some rest, recovering from the jet lag, and enjoying delicious Greek food. The Central Athens Hotel had a truly breathtaking rooftop view of the Acropolis! The next day, we got to work at the Agricultural University of Athens. Associates of the university gave us a brief tour of the campus, along with demonstrations of facilities and projects such as a vertical farm, drones, and a water desalination process. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to attend lectures by professors at the university, discussing topics relevant to our project such as smart energy technologies in agriculture and energy challenges across the urban-rural divide in European regions. In the evening, we had the chance to explore around the city and, of cou...
Read more

Field Visits in Greece

Image
    Over the past two days, we embarked on a series of day trips from Tripoli to explore field sites and connect with local stakeholders.      On Thursday, we traveled to Megalopolis , pausing en route to visit the Archaeological Museum of Tegea, where we deepened our understanding of Greek history and culture. In Megalopolis, we met with stakeholders, collaborating with them on the closure of lignite coal mines and the region’s transition to natural gas. During our discussions, they outlined their vision for the area and the challenges they face. They also guided us on a driving tour of the now-decommissioned lignite mines. That afternoon, we continued south to Kalamata and enjoyed a relaxing visit to the coastal village of Kardamyli , where we spent time by the beach. On Friday, we took a day trip to Sparta to visit a local olive farm. The owners had convened a group of farmers for a roundtable discussion focused on agricultural challenges and the needs...
Read more