Reinventing Rural: a Summer School connecting research, local communities and innovation

The University of Pisa’s 2026 Summer School, which also served as a case study for the International Master of Science in Rural Development (IMRD), took place in Garfagnana, based at the Fortezza di Mont’Alfonso in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana (Lucca), where participants stayed and classes were held. Entitled “Reinventing Rural: Transformative Solutions in Innovative Rural Areas – the Tuscany Case”, the Summer School focused particularly on qualitative research methodologies for rural development.

For almost a month, from 27 June to 24 July 2026, students explored the area through a programme combining lectures, methodological workshops, group work and field research.

The Summer School was organised by the Agricultural Economics research group of the University of Pisa’s Departments of Veterinary Sciences and Agriculture, Food and Environment, under the scientific coordination of Professor Francesco Di Iacovo. Organisational coordination was led by Paola Scarpellini, with the support of Giulia Granai, while Maria Vasile and Brigida Marovelli provided scientific tutoring. Other researchers from the Agricultural Economics group contributed to the programme as lecturers: in addition to Professors Gianluca Brunori, Alessio Cavicchi, Francesco Di Iacovo and Francesco Riccioli, Sabrina Tomasi, Manola Colabianchi, Giulia Granai, Maria Vasile, Matteo Mengoni and Stefano Grando also taught sessions during the course. The intensive programme was organised in collaboration with GAL MontagnAppennino and the Circle U. European University Alliance.

This year, a group of 15 participants from different countries travelled across the area, gaining first-hand experience of study and action research. They came from a wide range of national contexts, including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Ecuador, the United States, Germany, Spain and Italy.

The programme addressed topics including innovation and rural transitions, agri-food systems, short supply chains, social services, biodiversity, transhumance, digitalisation and territorial resilience, alongside qualitative research tools and approaches, including visual methods in social research, foresight and participatory design using creative tools.

A central role was played by field visits and meetings with local organisations, farms and businesses. These included Agriturismo Il Collettino in Sillico, the educational farm Lo Spaventapasseri, Podere Ai Biagi, Agriturismo Il Grillo, Magazzini Farm and Prad dal Vent Farm in Piazza al Serchio. Participants also visited the alpine pastures of Monte Prado and met shepherd Michele Branchetti at Camping Il Poggetto, as well as engaging with the Comunità del Cibo e dell’Agrobiodiversità di Camporgiano and Concori Farm in Gallicano.

Through interviews, participant observation and direct exchanges with farmers, entrepreneurs and other local actors, students were able to put the methodologies learned in the classroom into practice in real-world settings.

The programme also fostered dialogue with local development actors, through a meeting with GAL MontagnAppennino, a round table with experts and a focus group involving local stakeholders.

It was an immersive learning experience bringing together theory, research and direct engagement with the local area, offering participants an opportunity to explore how rural areas can develop innovative responses to contemporary challenges.