The CURA Lab SideQuest is our annual student-led event that brings together Master’s and PhD students to share their side projects, unfinished ideas, and creative experiments beyond their formal research. Designed by students, for students, SideQuest celebrates curiosity, collaboration, and the unexpected sparks that drive innovation in sustainable and climate-resilient cities.
This year’s edition took place at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (DEM), University of Coimbra, and began with a warm welcome, introductions, and informal conversations over coffee.
Throughout the day (November 20th), students presented a wide range of creative work: a PhD student from Brazil shared his personal project and website, a Master’s student from Morocco introduced his app and platform, and the organizers showcased their recent projects. The sessions included lightning talks, open discussions, and hands-on moments of co-creation.
The atmosphere was inspiring and relaxed, with everyone actively engaging in the conversations. The event lasted more than four hours, and students expressed strong interest in participating in future editions. It also became clear that SideQuest is more than an event- it is the opening of a door to future collaborations, new friendships, and shared projects under the CURA Lab umbrella.
