FUNDED PROJECTS
AMITY
Accelerating MIcrobial Technologies for a sustainable circular economY through a biennial challenge-based program in environmental (bio)technology
Category: ENLIGHT Thematic Network
University:
University of the Basque Country, University of Galway, Ghent University, University of Groningen, University of Tartu
Period:
2025-2027
The AMITY network launches a challenge-based education program in environmental (bio)technology, coordinated and led by early-career researchers. Through the program, interdisciplinary student teams will address real-world sustainability challenges such as wastewater valorization, greenhouse gas emissions and resource recovery, in close collaboration with academic mentors and external stakeholders.
The program integrates applied research with science communication and entrepreneurship training, preparing students for careers at the intersection of microbiology, engineering, and environmental innovation. Each edition culminates in the AMITY Summit, a public-facing event where students present results to academic, industry, and policy audiences.
The network brings together 11 research groups from 10 European universities, including five ENLIGHT partners, with complementary expertise in microbial ecology, modelling, biotechnology, and process design. AMITY is grounded in inclusive, cross-generational collaboration, with early-career researchers coordinating activities and senior scholars contributing with guidance and institutional support. AMITY will also launch AMITY+, a long-term mentorship and alumni platform connecting students, researchers, and stakeholders. The initiative will be sustained through Erasmus+ mobility, in-kind institutional support, and stakeholder engagement, creating a durable, ENLIGHT-wide framework for student-led innovation in environmental microbial technologies.
Personal highlight:
The most interesting aspect of AMITY is its commitment to a challenge-based education. We will create a program where students work directly on real-world problems provided by academic, industrial, and societal partners. This approach builds a training environment that mirrors the complexity of modern (bio)technological challenges and prepares students to think critically about their choices.
Participants and Stakeholders
- Coordinator: Ghent University; dr. Ángel Estévez
- Other Partner Institutions:
- University of Groningen
- University of Galway
- University of Basque Country
- University of Tartu
- Team Composition:
- Ghent University:
- Dr. Ángel Estévez
- Prof. Ramon Ganigué
- University of Groningen
- Dr. Tom Sleutels
- Prof. Gert-Jan Euverink
- University of Galway
- Prof. Alma Siggins
- Prof. Vincent O’Flagherty
- University of Basque Country
- Prof. Arrate Santaolalla
- Prof. Naiara Rojo
- University of Tartu
- Ugochi Nwaokorie
- Prof. Kaspar Valgepea
- Ghent University:
- External Partners:
- University of Santiago de Compostela
- University of Tubingen
- Delft University of Technology
- Wageningen University & Research
- University of Antwerp
Objectives
- Run a pilot challenge-based program, that will continue as a biennial event, in which master students develop solutions to existing environmental challenges. They learn to do research, translate results into practice and communicate their findings in an understandable and attractive way.
- Deliver an integrated training track in environmental biotechnology, entrepreneurship and science-communication, with credentials co-awarded by ENLIGHT partners. Students deepen their microbiology expertise, gain translational skills, and are inspired toward careers in life science and sustainability.
- Generate deployable, creative technological proof of concepts that benefit communities and feed a pipeline of ideas to AMITY researchers and external stakeholders, ensuring that both society and the environment benefit from fresh perspectives on pressing concerns.
Contact
Contact Person: dr. Ángel Estévez