2026-07-03

Dear GCUA 2030 colleagues and friends,

As summer arrives here in Sweden, we are making the most of long, bright days and the magical nights when the sun barely sets. It is a time to reflect on the achievements of the past months, recharge our energy, and look ahead with excitement to another inspiring semester of collaboration, learning, and action for sustainable development.

As we prepare for our summer break, we are delighted to share several exciting opportunities from across the GCUA 2030 network. The GCUA 2030 Award 2026 is now open for applications with updated guidelines and criteria, and registration is open for our upcoming autumn courses. This year, we are offering two engaging courses: Agenda 2030: Synergies, Conflicts, and Assessment Tools and Designing Research with Impact Using the Theory of Change Approach. We look forward to welcoming and working with many of your outstanding PhD students.

Our network also continues to grow. We are pleased to welcome our newest member, the University of Hargeisa in Somaliland, together with its focal point, Abdiqathar Rashid Kulmie. We are equally delighted to introduce our new focal points: Qhama Bona at Nelson Mandela University, Mia Xiaoyun Zhao at Dalarna University, and Matt Broadbent at Scotland's Rural College. A warm welcome to you all—we are excited to have you as part of the GCUA 2030 community.

Finally, discover how research and collaboration are helping shape one of the world's biggest sporting events by exploring how research can play a vital role in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

We wish you all a restful time wherever you are in the world and look forward to reconnecting in the autumn!

Enjoy the reading! 

Paul and Agnes

News from GCUA 2030

New member: University of Hargesia

From Washington to the future: Advancing global agrifood collaboration through GCUA 2030

Scientists shape World Cup turfgrass for consistent play

Michigan State University and the University of Tennessee researchers have spent several years helping FIFA develop the ideal turfgrass for the 2026 World Cup, ensuring a safe, durable, and consistent playing surface across 16 stadiums and numerous training sites in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Led by experts such as John “Trey” Rogers III and John Sorochan, the team focused on creating uniform field conditions so players experience the same footing and ball behavior regardless of location. Their work supports FIFA’s goal of providing an even playing field for all 104 matches, minimizing issues such as divots and worn patches that could affect player performance, safety, and even game outcomes.

Read more below: 

Powering the FIFA Wolrd Cup 2026

The Spartan science behind the World Cup

How scientists helped engineer the perfect soccer field

The World Cup pitches are the result of years of engineering to find just the right grass

Penn State is recognizing the International Year of the Woman Farmer

Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is recognizing 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, joining global and national efforts to highlight the crucial role women play in agriculture and food systems. Women make up 36% of U.S. agricultural producers and contribute nearly half of the world’s agricultural labor. Throughout the year, Penn State will participate in conferences, workshops, and outreach initiatives to showcase women’s leadership, labor, and impact on sustainable agriculture. The college is also supporting educational efforts, including a website featuring stories of women farmers in Pennsylvania, while continuing programs such as WINAg, which promotes greater understanding of women’s contributions to agricultural growth, productivity, and policy development worldwide.