2026 "Doughnut Economics" Summer Workshop 1: Opening in Shenzhen
On July 10, 2026, the 2026 "Doughnut Economics" Summer Workshop, organized by the Shao Qinglong Research Group of the School of Ecology at Sun Yat-sen University under the auspices of the EU’s Jean Monnet Project, officially began at Sun Yat-sen University’s Shenzhen Campus.
The workshop runs from July 10 to 14 and features a mix of thematic lectures, group presentations, and urban site visits, with the aim of fostering exchange and learning on the theoretical foundations, urban applications, and practical sustainability initiatives of Doughnut Economics.
01 Participant Registration
On the afternoon of July 10, participants arrived in Shenzhen and completed check‑in and accommodation procedures as scheduled. Staff distributed workshop materials, campus meal cards, and cultural T‑shirts on site, and briefed participants on the upcoming activities.
This year’s participants come from universities in different countries and regions, bringing a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds. They hail from Chinese institutions such as Sun Yat‑sen University, Nanjing University, and Shandong University, as well as overseas universities including the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Chicago, and Georgia Tech.
During the registration period, participants engaged in initial exchanges about their academic experiences, research interests, and expectations for the workshop, laying the groundwork for the subsequent coursework and group work.
In the evening, an opening dinner was held. Members of the research group and the participants joined together in a relaxed atmosphere, getting to know each other and discussing the programme and learning content for the coming days.
Doughnut Economics focuses on the relationship between social needs and ecological boundaries, emphasising the importance of meeting essential social needs while keeping human activities within the carrying capacity of the environment. This workshop will further explore the application of this theoretical framework to urban sustainable development, drawing on case studies from Shenzhen and other cities.=
02 Preview of Tomorrow
On July 11, the workshop will move into the thematic learning phase. Associate Professor Shao Qinglong will give a lecture on the evolution and future prospects of Doughnut Economics; Postdoctoral Fellow Zhang Zhihu will introduce urban social foundations, ecological boundaries, and cross‑border sustainable governance, using Shenzhen and Hong Kong as case studies; and Dr. Hu Hongyu will share insights on basic human needs, ecological ceilings, ecosystem services, and international trade.
From social foundations to ecological ceilings, from global theory to Shenzhen‑Hong Kong practice, the workshop will officially begin its first full day of intensive learning and intellectual exchange.
