Collegio Futuro
Collegio futuro is a joint interdisciplinary PhD college of the 4EU+ member universities. Participants have the chance to tackle environmental issues in an interdisciplinary manner and receive mentoring and support from a European network of peers.
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.
Collegio futuro is aimed at doctoral students from all research disciplines who seek to expand their knowledge beyond their own research area, with the goal of
- strengthening competencies in interdisciplinary communication and project elaboration,
- empowering students to transfer their knowledge and expertise to different contexts,
- promoting critical and system thinking,
- raising awareness for the challenges of socio-economic transformation,
- encouraging communication of scientific findings to civil society.
Application
Doctoral candidates at all levels, doing research in different disciplines (natural sciences, social sciences & economics, or cultural sciences) at one of the participating 4EU+ Universities may apply.
The winter semester course 2023/24 has ended.
The call for applications for the next course edition will be published in October 2024.
Curriculum
During the course, participants work in multidisciplinary groups to address practical environmental issues, with an emphasis on the development of a policy brief. They have the chance to exchange ideas with peers and examine the chosen problems from different perspectives. Engaging in discussions with scientists and practitioners, they work to identify and propose feasible solutions to given problems. Altogether, the participants engage in activities that enable them to expand their network, generate impulses for new projects and enhance their skills in science communication.
Activities:
Preparatory workshop, online
Introductory lectures and getting together
One-week Winter school, on-site in Heidelberg
Development of a concept
Individual & group work (self-organized), online
Finalization of the policy brief
Final workshop (half-day), online
Presentation of results and discussion of the outcome with scientists and policy makers
Collegio futuro corresponds to 5 ECTS credits in total. Participants are asked to check with their graduate school regarding recognition. A Letter od Attendance is issued for regular participation and final outcome.
