Jointly organized by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO), Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the “2026 Workshop and Summer School on Space Earth Observation and Global Change” was successfully held in Shanghai from July 13 to 17, 2026, under the auspices of the SHAO leadership. The event was co-organized by the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Space Navigation and Positioning Technology, and received support from the SHAO Center for Astronomical Geodynamics, the academic journals Geodesy and Geodynamics and Journal of Geodesy and Geodynamics, as well as the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China on Global Sea-Level Change.

Featuring a rich and diverse curriculum, the summer school offered comprehensive perspectives on modern astronomical and space-based Earth observation technologies, the current state of space geodesy, and their cutting-edge applications in global climate change research. The event aimed to promote the application and advancement of modern space geodetic techniques across China and neighboring regions, cultivate a new generation of young space geodesy scientists, and attract outstanding students to pursue research in space Earth observation and global change. Benefiting from the strong reputation and broad impact of previous sessions, the event drew nearly 160 master's and doctoral students, as well as early-career researchers, from major universities and research institutes nationwide. The gathering of these enthusiastic young scholars fostered intensive learning and in-depth discussion, making for a productive and rewarding week of scientific exploration.

Seven distinguished earth scientists from around the world were invited as lead lecturers. They included: Dr. Anny Cazenave, Member of the French Academy of Sciences and European Academy of Sciences, and Foreign Member of the U.S., U.K., Belgian, and Indian Academies of Sciences; Dr. Feng Zhao, Chair Professor at Shandong University of Science and Technology and AGU Fellow; Dr. Jianli Chen, Chair Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and AGU Fellow; Dr. Matt King, Professor at the University of Tasmania and Director of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science; Dr. Zhong Lu, Professor at China University of Mining and Technology and AGU Fellow; Dr. Xianyao Chen, Professor at Ocean University of China; and Dr. Maorong Ge, Professor at Shanghai Astronomical Observatory, CAS.

The lecturers delivered insightful and engaging presentations, covering a wide range of frontier topics including global warming and climate change, satellite altimetry and global sea-level change, space geodesy and polar glacier research, GNSS and InSAR data processing and applications, satellite gravity data analysis and applications, satellite remote sensing and physical ocean processes, and space geodesy and geodynamics. Despite the disruption caused by Super Typhoon Bavi and the extreme summer heat in Shanghai, attendees demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm, overcoming flight delays, transportation difficulties, and sweltering weather to actively participate in person. Classrooms buzzed with lively interactions, with students posing frequent questions and engaging in spirited exchanges with faculty, reflecting a deep thirst for knowledge.

Following the academic sessions, participants visited the SHAO Sheshan Observation Base, including the Shanghai Astronomical Museum and the 65-meter radio telescope facility. The week-long summer school concluded with overwhelmingly positive feedback, as attendees expressed great gains and a desire for more. The event successfully established a high-level academic exchange platform, offering young researchers the opportunity for face-to-face interaction with leading scientists, broadening their academic horizons, and enhancing practical skills such as scientific writing, while also fostering friendships and professional connections. Many graduate students indicated their aspiration to pursue further studies at SHAO and dedicate themselves to the compelling field of space Earth observation and global change research.