Open to graduate and post-graduate scientists (as well as professionals in related fields), the ALTER-Net Summer School provides an innovative atmosphere for considering and resolving the sustainability challenges that society is currently facing.
Themes
Biodiversity is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history, and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world (IPBES, 2019). The ALTER-Net summer school focuses on the challenge of biodiversity conservation taking a systemic perspective. This course explores drivers of change, and the role of ecological knowledge and social science approaches, including environmental psychology, for conservation.
In particular, the program will discuss the potential of concepts such as ecosystem services, ecosystem service valuation, and nature’s contributions to people to address biodiversity loss. It will also examine how various initiatives at the science-policy interface (IPBES, EKLIPSE, ALTER-Net) embrace these concepts for decision-making, and with what success. Finally, it will discuss the need to develop inter- or trans-disciplinary approaches, working with stakeholders to foster the transformative change needed to bring society back onto a sustainable path.
Programme
To see a complete and detailed overview of the programme, click here.
Fees
Participants must cover a part of the cost for the school through a registration fee of €850. This includes all local costs including lectures, meals, refreshments, the field trip and accommodation in double rooms with shared bathrooms.
A small number of support grants to waive part or all of the fee are available for students from developing countries and countries with economies in transition (details available on request: please contact Marie Vandewalle).
Travel costs must be covered by the participants or by their institution.
Applications & Eligibility
The Summer School is open to graduate and post-graduate scientists from both within and outside the ALTER-Net network partners, as well as professionals in related fields. Participants from developing countries are welcome to participate. The summer school is limited to 32 participants, who are selected with the goal of achieving an optimal mix among regions, disciplines and gender. Please contact the conveners / organisers if you need to discuss eligibility. Please note that adequate English skills are required and all participants are expected to prepare and present a poster on their own work.
To apply, follow the instructions indicated on the official website. At the end of the application period, the conveners will assess all the applications and will contact every applicant with their decision.
Please note that the original application deadline of 10 April has been extended to 30 April.
