19–25 January, centre director Rubina Raja and centre co-director Søren M. Sindbæk went on an intensive work retreat in Italy together with the centre administration. Besides several planned meetings in Rome, Paestum and Pompeii, one of the main goals of the retreat was to discuss strategy and new initiatives as well as staff plans and upcoming events at the centre. Special attention was also given to the forthcoming UrbNet Annual Report 2019, which will be handed in to the Danish National Research Foundation in March.

For all four participants, the work retreat was a valuable opportunity to spend concentrated and focussed time together. We are very grateful for the time that site directors and their staff in Rome, Paestum and Pompeii devoted to our visit.