StormCompetence – Strengthening researchers’ competencies on stormwater management (2023-2025)

The aim of the project “StormCompetence - Strengthening researchers’ professional competencies on stormwater management for renovation of UA city infrastructure in the post-war time” is to support a new generation of Ukrainian doctoral students and younger researchers working in stormwater management with focus on stormwater quality and treatment.

Stormwater research in Ukraine has been focusing on quantity and treatment aspects for many years. However, after the outbreak of active war actions in 2022, research activities can hardly be carried out nor can results be implemented. PhD students are conducting sampling campaigns and performing analyses in a very stressful environment. Moreover, young researchers have problems with access to research infrastructure. Due to shelling and bombing, the Kharkiv urban infrastructure was partly damaged and needs to be renovated or rebuilt in post-war time.

Being a world leader in stormwater research, the Urban Water Engineering group at Luleå University of Technology will provide support, share knowledge, and perform joint research with Ukrainian PhD students and young researchers working at O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The scientific focus of the StormCompetence project will be on stormwater quantity and treatment. Two study visits will be arranged in order to jointly perform sampling campaigns, data collection and analysis. It is also planned to write several publications together. Based on the project results, recommendations for rebuilding or renovating Ukrainian stormwater infrastructure and introduction of advanced techniques for routine stormwater management practices for municipalities will be developed. Thus, networking and joint research will contribute to training of a new generation of stormwater specialists in Ukraine who dispose of the necessary knowledge of advanced methods and techniques for stormwater management.

This project is financed by the Swedish Institute and carried out together with O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Read more about them here External link, opens in new window..

Project time: 2023 – 2025.

News within the project

Iryna Avdiienko, PhD student from O. M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv, Ukraine, has visited Luleå University of Technology during 2-16 November 2024 in the framework of the project “StormCompetence - Strengthening researchers’ competencies on stormwater management”, financed by the Swedish Institute.

Her two weeks stay was full of activities: field trips, work in the laboratory, meetings, discussions and presentations at two seminars. During the study visit, Iryna participated in starting up a bioreactor for nitrification of blackwater digestate and received knowledge and skills on sampling methods, procedures and equipment, best practices for wastewater treatment in small (compact) treatment facilities installed for one household.

At a lunch seminar, she presented her research as well as her research group. She also attended a PhD course on “Problem-based study in Urban Water Engineering” and received a certificate that will be recognized at her home university.

Sharing knowledge on the best practices in stormwater and wastewater treatment and management as well as providing access to research infrastructure are key aims of the StormCompetence project. A new generation of Ukrainian young researchers will be able to use advanced knowledge for the reconstruction of urban infrastructure damaged during the war time.