Summer school "Empowering Climate Action – Islands on the Frontline"
Are you a BA student at a Circle U. university and interested in climate science and politics? No matter your discipline, the summer programme “Empowering Climate Action through Policy, Communication & Agency: Islands on the Frontline” is for you!
The school takes place at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin from 21 through 25 July and is free of charge. Below you'll find details regarding the programme's contents and formats as well as the application process and potential funding opportunities for travel to Berlin. Applications close 28 February – make sure to secure your spot!
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The impacts of climate change are more tangible than ever: extreme weather events like droughts, storms, and heatwaves, along with melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss are threatening ecosystems, communities, and economies worldwide. Nowhere are these threats more urgent than on islands, where small size and geographic isolation make them especially vulnerable.
This summer school explores how island communities are adapting to the climate crisis, driving advocacy and policy initiatives, and influencing international negotiations. Through an interdisciplinary approach, participants will examine the dynamic interplay between local action and global policy, discovering how communication, governance, and grassroots agency can empower meaningful climate solutions.
But islands are not just distant shores in the Caribbean or Pacific. We also consider the unique challenges faced by islands closer to home – such as those in the Mediterranean and the North Sea – as well as the growing threat of urban heat islands in major European cities like London, Berlin, and Paris. With participation from universities in Aarhus, Vienna, London, Berlin, Pisa, Paris, Oslo, Belgrade, and Louvain, this programme offers a truly global perspective on how diverse island environments – both geographical and urban – are confronting the climate crisis.
As well as the subject knowledge, a key focus will be on the development of skills. Would you like to learn more about how we can communicate climate science effectively, have agency and make a difference in our local communities? No matter whether you study political science, history, agricultural sciences, mathematics or something else altogether – the summer school “Empowering Climate Action through Policy, Communication & Agency: Islands on the Frontline” is for you!
Taking place at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on 21-25 July (with five additional online sessions over the two weeks leading up to the in-person sessions), the programme will give you an interdisciplinary perspective on climate research, the potential of mitigation actions, policy initiatives, international negotiations, psychological aspects of climate change, and more.
The school consists of interactive lectures, seminars, workshops, simulations and panel discussions – all led by renowned researchers and policy experts from various European countries. You will practice negotiating and strategic agenda-setting as you take on the role of a United Nations delegate in our simulation of climate negotiations. You will also analyse and document examples of climate impact in your home region, and research environmental and sustainability policies at your university. By the end of the programme, you will be equipped with topical knowledge, enhanced critical thinking, and improved communication and problem-solving skills.
Lecturers in this programme include Dr Hillary Briffa, Senior Lecturer in National Security Studies at King’s College London; Marcel Robischon, Professor of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Prof Xiaofeng Guo, Professor at the Faculty of Science at Université Paris Cité; Professor Hermann Lotze-Campen from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research – and many others.
Aside from being taught by an international team of experts. You will also get to connect and work with peers from Circle U.’s nine European partner universities and enjoy the extra benefit of international exchange.
The programme will start with five days of online sessions (7, 9, 11, 14 and 16 July), followed by a week of in-person classes and activities (21–25 July) in Berlin. All components of this summer school will be taught in English. Please note that participation is mandatory both during the online and in-situ phase. Download the full programme here.
Applications are accepted through the MoveOn portal until 23:59 CET on 28 February. Along with the application form, please submit your CV and motivation letter (both in English), your Transcript of Records, as well as proof of enrolment at one of the Circle U. universities.
Only students from Circle U. Universities may apply for this summer school. Circle U. includes Aarhus Universitet, Univerzitet o Beogradu, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Universitetet i Oslo, Universität Wien, Universitá di Pisa, King’s College London, Université Paris Cité and Université catholique de Louvain.
By 3 May, all applicants will be notified by email about the results of the selection procedure. Please note that for the purpose of selecting summer school participants we intend to disclose your personal data (name, semester, letter of motivation, grade point average) to our Circle U. partner universities (Aarhus Universitet, Univerzitet u Beogradu, King’s College London, Université catholique de Louvain, Universitetet i Oslo, Université Paris Cité, Universität Wien, Universitá di Pisa).
If you have any questions regarding the application process, feel free to contact us by email.
Participants are expected to actively contribute to the discussions, fulfil a small portfolio of online tasks and share their work in group presentations to receive accreditation. Their contributions are assessed on a pass/fail basis and successful participants will receive a Certificate of Completion issued by Circle U. In addition, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin will provide a Transcript of Records (5 ECTS). Please consult your local examination office regarding course recognition in your study programme.
The summer school is free of charge. Regarding funding opportunities for travel and accommodation, please reach out to the International or Erasmus office at your home institution:
- Aarhus Universitet
- Universität Wien
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Université Paris Cité (also check the website on financial aid for international mobility)
- Université catholique de Louvain
- Università di Pisa
- Universitetet i Oslo
- King's College London (Please note that KCL students are not eligible for Erasmus+ funding but may have access to internal funding.)
Please be aware that successful applicants will be asked to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Humboldt-Universität will provide a list of recommendations.
Contact
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Isabelle Mensching
Referentin im Projekt Circle U.
bologna.lab Hausvogteiplatz 5-7, 10117 Berlin Room 0101-0104 isabelle.mensching@hu-berlin.de +49 30 2093 70785
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