Circle U. climate summer school at HU: register now!

“Empowering Climate Action” – course description

A momentous international experience

2024 programme and how to apply

Certificates and travel arrangements

Course description

So, you got the climate crisis on your mind, but aren’t sure how to address it in the context of your BA programme and beyond? Fear not, Circle U. has got you covered! No matter whether you study art history, agricultural sciences, mathematics or something else altogether – the summer school “Empowering Climate Action: Policy, Communication & Agency”  is for you. Taking place at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on 22-26 July (with five additional online sessions), it will give you an interdisciplinary perspective on climate research, the potential of mitigation actions, policy initiatives, international negotiations, psychological aspects of climate change, communication tools 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. Next to equipping you with topical knowledge, it will help you enhance your critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills. You will, for example, practise negotiating and strategic agenda-setting as you take on the role of a UN delegate. You will analyse and document examples of climate impact in your home region and research environmental and sustainability policies at your university.

A momentous international experience

You will get to connect and work with peers from Circle U.’s nine European partner universities and enjoy the extra benefit of international exchange. Lecturers include Marnik Vanclooster, professor of Environmental Science at Université Catholique de Louvain; Hillary Briffa, lecturer in National Security Studies at King’s College London; Marcel Robischon, professor of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Sabine Pahl, professor of Environmental Psychology at the University of Vienna and many others. 

This summer school is a truly international experience that will stay with you long after you’ve returned to your home university. Here is what some of last year’s participants had to say:

“I have emerged from the summer school a more confident and informed individual. I have gained understanding about areas of climate change I hadn’t been aware of – such as climate policy and psychology.” - Gunjan Randhawa studies English at King’s College London

“I found myself enriched with interdisciplinary knowledge that can seldom be found in academia. I also formed invaluable, hopefully life-long connections with like-minded people from across Europe.” - Andrijana Prodanić studies English Language, Literature, and Culture at Univerzitet o Beogradu

“Following this school, I will be a more active citizen, starting by amending my lifestyle choices to mitigate climate change. I also plan to take action through policy making, awareness raising and lobbying.” – Justin Oueda studies Law at Université Paris Cité

2024 programme and how to apply

The programme will start with five days of online sessions (8, 10, 12, 15 and 17 July), followed by a week of in-person classes and activities (22–26 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. Please find the full programme here.

Applications are accepted through the MoveOn portal until 29 February. Please register here (applications have closed) and enter the required information. Along with the application form, please submit your CV and motivation letter (in English), your Transcript of Records as well as proof of enrolment at one of the Circle U. universities.* By 3 May, all applicants will be notified by email about the results of the selection procedure.** If you have any questions regarding the application process, feel free to contact us by email.

Certificates and travel arrangements

Participants are expected to actively contribute to the discussions, fulfil a portfolio of online tasks and share their work in group presentations. 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 your International/ Erasmus office at your home institution. Please note that successful applicants will be asked to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Humboldt-Universität will provide a list of recommendations.

* 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, Università di Pisa, King’s College London, Université Paris Cité and Université catholique de Louvain.

** 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, Università di Pisa).