PhD Program Research Training Objectives

SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL FORESTRY AND FOOD RESOURCES

The PhD programme provides cultural and scientific competencies to facilitate, improve, plan, and manage the sustainability (both environmental and socioeconomic) of agricultural, forestry, and food systems, understood as complex socio-ecological systems interacting with productive, economic, and political structures.

The programme aligns with the goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and their implementation within European policies.

It aims to offer scientific and specialized training in the following areas: agri-food economics and sustainable rural development, forest economics and management, wood sciences, agro-forestry engineering, and food science and technology. The program is designed to develop advanced professional skills and full autonomy in conducting innovative research in areas such as:

• Efficiency and competitiveness of the agri-food sector
• Local development and sustainable rural policies
• Evaluation and enhancement of forest ecosystem services
• Management and modeling of forest ecosystems
• Wood supply chains and wood-based products
• Sustainable management of water resources and agricultural mechanization
• Application of artificial intelligence and digital tools in agroforestry systems
• Eco-friendly materials and sustainable design
• Innovation and sustainability in food products and processes
• Study of consumer preferences and behavior

Career opportunities are mainly found in universities or public and private research or training institutions, both national and international. Graduates may also work in organizations dedicated to the protection and conservation of land and agri-food production, or in private companies in the agricultural, food, and forestry sectors, covering both primary production and processing. Opportunities also exist for freelance professionals, individually or in partnerships.

The PhD program is structured into the following curricula:

• Agri-Food Economics and Sustainable Rural Development (EASRS)
• Forest Economics, Management and Wood Sciences (EGFSL)
• Agro-Forestry Engineering (IAF)
• Food Science and Technology (FS&T)

The GeSoRAFA Vision guides the program’s research training path.

 

The PhD Program in Sustainable Management of Agricultural Food and Forestry Resources offers students a number of opportunities for international exchange: https://www.phd-gsrafa.dagri.unifi.it/vp-43-international.html

 

PhD students make use of the laboratory equipment of the various curricula:

• • Unifi Sensory Lab.; Laboratorio Mobile di Analisi Sensoriale;
  • OEnoLabTech (Analisi chimiche, strumentali e microbiologiche dei vini);
  • Laboratorio di Microbiologia;
  • Anatomia del legno e Xilologia;
  • Geomatica (geoLAB);
  • Prove meccaniche; 
  • laboratorio AgrismartLAB (sensoristica per l’agricoltura di precisione);
  • SMARTFARMINGLAB Laboratorio congiunto tra AgrismartLAB (UNIFI) e Nobili Spa macchine agricole;
  • MAIN lab (monitoraggio e modellazione idrologico-idraulica);
  • Water Harvesting Lab (WHLab);
  • Studio e conservazione di beni culturali lignei.
  • FORTECH, Laboratorio Congiunto “Tecnologie innovative per la gestione sostenibile del territorio forestale”