Reaching the sustainable development goals of the United Nations and coping with major planetary problems, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, requires a socio-economic transformation that ensures sustainable development. In this transformation, multiple societal stakeholders have to be involved. Conceptualizing this process demands an integration of perspectives from different research disciplines and needs creative and open-minded experts, who do not hesitate to step out of their comfort zone and collaborate in an interdisciplinary manner, striving for the best solutions. As a joint interdisciplinary PhD college of the 4EU+ member universities, the Collegio Futuro seeks to foster these skills, which are essential for tackling our urgent environmental, economic and societal challenges.
Participants will work in multidisciplinary groups to develop solutions for hands-on environmental issues with the goal of practicing a policy brief drafting. They will have an opportunity to exchange with their peers and examine the chosen problem from different perspectives. They will engage in discussions with scientists and practitioners in order to identify and propose feasible solutions to given problems. Altogether, the participants will engage in activities that will enable them to expand their network, generate impulses for new projects and improve their competences in science communication to the society.
Just transition
Towards a sustainable aquaculture
Ecosystem restoration on marginal land
Adaptation of historic cities to climate change
Interdisciplinary communication
Project-based learning
Inquiry-based learning
Communication to society
Peer-to-peer teaching
Systemic thinking
Knowledge transfer
25 November 2024
Doctoral students at all levels, doing research in different disciplines (natural & life sciences, social sciences & economics, or cultural sciences) at one of the participating 4EU+ universities (Charles/Prague, Heidelberg, Sorbonne, Milan, Warsaw) are cordially invited to apply.
6 doctoral candidates from the respective partner university will be selected to become part of the college. Incoming participants will receive lump-sum travel allowances for the on-site activity from their home universities in accordance with the local mobility program for doctoral students.
The training is offered free of charge.
Collegio futuro is aimed at doctoral students who are motivated to discuss in an interdisciplinary environment and seek to expand their knowledge beyond their own research area. Experience in environmental research and communication to society, or engagement in interdisciplinary activities is an advantage, but not a prerequisite.
WORKSHOP 1 (online) 12 February 2025, 9 am – 1 pm
Introductory lectures
WORKSHOP 2 (2h per topic, online) 18/19 February 2025
Getting together and forming groups
Individual work: Preparing for Spring school
SPRING SCHOOL (Heidelberg) 24 – 28 February 2025
Developing a concept for policy brief
Individual & group work (online) March 2025
Self-organized, finalization of the policy brief
Final meeting (1h, online) by appointment March/April 2025
Discussion of the outcome with supervisors
Participation in Collegio futuro is voluntary. Participants should contact their graduate school to inquire about the recognition of ECTS. A letter of attendance will be issued for regular participation and drafting a policy brief in a group.
The Spring school will take place in Heidelberg, Marsilius Kolleg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.1, 69120 Heidelberg.
The application form and further information on Collegio futuro is available at:
https://www.hce.uni-heidelberg.de/en/educational-offer/collegio-futuro.
Please complete the application form and submit it to your home university:
Charles University/Prague: [e-mail]
Heidelberg University: [e-mail]
Sorbonne University: [e-mail]
University of Milan: [e-mail]
University of Warsaw: [e-mail]
(please give Collegio futuro in the subject line of e-mail)
Successful candidates will be announced after 10 December 2024.