CERIS Researcher Gabriel Valeça Contributes to International Doctoral Course on Big Data for Active Mobility Research

CERIS researcher Professor Gabriel Valença recently co-taught the international doctoral course "From Data to Design: Using Big Data for Active Mobility Research", held at the University of Tartu, Estonia.

The two-day course was delivered together with Avital Angel from the Technical University of Munich and was organised within the framework of the Doctoral Training Network, funded by EIT Urban Mobility. The initiative aimed to provide doctoral researchers with advanced knowledge and practical skills in the use of Big Data to support research and decision-making in the field of urban mobility.

The course brought together 16 PhD students from leading universities across Europe and beyond, fostering an international and interdisciplinary learning environment. Participating institutions included the University of Lisbon, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Technische Universität Dresden, Technical University of Munich, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Eindhoven University of Technology, Universiteit Gent, and Aalto University.

Throughout the programme, participants developed practical skills in processing, integrating and analysing different forms of Big Data using the R programming language. Working with real-world case studies, the students explored data-driven approaches to active mobility research while strengthening their ability to critically assess the methodological decisions involved in transforming raw data into meaningful, policy-relevant insights.

By contributing to this international training initiative, Professor Gabriel Valença helped equip the next generation of researchers with advanced analytical tools and methodologies to support evidence-based urban mobility planning and the development of more sustainable transport systems.

CERIS congratulates Professor Gabriel Valença on his contribution to this international doctoral training programme and on promoting excellence in research and education through collaboration with leading academic institutions.