SAVE THE DATE – Call for Abstracts – Rural Geo 2026 Conference | Porto, 22-26 June 2026
Dear Colleagues,
The University of Porto is delighted to host the 4th European Rural Geographies Conference, which will take place from 22 to 26 June 2026 in Porto, Portugal. The conference theme, Resilience, Innovation and Sustainability in a Changing World, reflects the pressing challenges and opportunities that rural areas across Europe and beyond are currently facing.
By bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from across the world, Rural Geo 2026 seeks to create a vibrant and inclusive forum for exchanging knowledge, comparing experiences, envisioning future pathways for rural geographies in an ever-changing world, and designing evidence-based strategies to maximize the impact of scientific knowledge in promoting innovation and development in rural areas..
Main Thematic Axes:
- Agri-food systems, Forestry, and Circular Economy.
- Climate Transitions, Landscapes, and Environment
- Social Vulnerabilities and Opportunities underlying the Rural Transformations: Communities, Cultures and Identities
- Social and Spatial Inequalities in Rural Areas
- The Role of Creative Villages in the Sustainability of Rural Territories
- Impact of Tourism, Heritage, and Creative Economies on Rural Areas
- Governance and Planning in Rural Areas
- Rural–Urban Dynamics
- Changes in Rural Areas Facing the Complexity of New Challenges
- Digital Transition, Innovation, and Rural Infrastructures
- New Theory and Methods in the Research of Rural Areas
- Sustainable Development Goals and Synergies for Rural Areas
Abstract Submission:
We invite submissions for oral presentations and posters. Abstracts should be submitted through the conference website:
Abstract submission deadline: 23 January 2026
The program will include sessions with distinguished experts, as well as field trips showcasing Portugal’s unique rural landscapes. During the conference period, the São João night will take place, the most iconic night in the city of Porto.
We look forward to welcoming you to Porto, wishing you an unforgettable experience.
Best regards,
Helena Pina
President of the Organizing Committee
4th European Rural Geographies Conference
Porto 2026