The Texas A&M Energy Institute is proud to announce the kickoff of its 2025 Summer School in Greece, a part of the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, which is organized by the Texas A&M Energy Institute in cooperation with the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.
Titled “AI for Next-Generation Agriculture at the Nexus of Energy Security and Rural Transformation: A Policy and Ethical Analysis in Post-Lignite Greece,” this interdisciplinary project explores the potential of AI-driven solutions to enhance next-generation agriculture, energy security, environmental sustainability, and rural prosperity in areas transitioning away from coal. As part of this experiential learning opportunity, students will conduct policy and stakeholder analyses, examining the ethical considerations and governance frameworks surrounding the integration of AI in agricultural practices, impacts for energy security, and rural transformation strategies. The research employs a case study approach, focusing on the areas of Megalopolis and Western Macedonia in Greece. Students will explore how AI can optimize resource management (including water), improve crop yields, and promote economic diversification, supporting, in parallel, carbon capture processes and energy abundance in post-lignite communities, while addressing the social and environmental impacts of lignite phase-out. The project will emphasize the importance of stakeholder engagement and participatory governance in ensuring that AI-driven solutions are aligned with local needs and values.
The project is being led by Dr. Konstantinos Pappas, the Associate Director of the Energy Institute, in cooperation with Dr. Silva Hamie, an Instructional Associate Professor in the Department of International Affairs and the Energy Institute’s Assistant Director for Energy Policy. Additional scientific support is being provided by Dr. Jafaru Egieya, an Assistant Research Scientist in the Energy Institute.
For the 2025 Summer School in Greece, five undergraduate students will have the opportunity to develop their research skills while exploring the potential of AI-driven solutions to enhance next-generation agriculture, energy security, environmental sustainability, and rural prosperity in areas transitioning away from coal.
Over the course of the 9-week program, the participants will spend 5 weeks in Texas on the Texas A&M University campus learning the basics of conducting research, establishing research protocols, and preparing for field work. Then, in a 2-week program in Greece, they will meet with stakeholders, community members, and governmental representatives in two regions to understand the current situation. Finally, after returning to Texas, the students will analyze the data they collected and prepare a final report. The participants will contribute to a blog as they prepare to conduct the research, while in the field in Greece, and after the research is analyzed. You can read the blog at: summerschoolingreece.blogspot.com
The students and their majors are:
- Noah Campbell
- Major: International Affairs
- Bilal Mazhar
- Major: Political Science (BS)
- Bella Patel
- Major: Environmental Engineering
- Eve Pickering
- Major: International Affairs
- Isabelle Sasi
- Major: International Affairs