Transitioning energy systems, from fossil-based sources to a zero-carbon system, is a sustainability challenge that is high on the agenda of (regional, national and international) policy makers, companies, knowledge institutes and NGOs. More than ever there is an urgent need for professionals that are able to navigate the complexity of this challenge and that can facilitate initiatives contributing to the energy transition. This summer school helps participants to develop ‘green skills’ (knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes) essential for developing and supporting a sustainable and resource-efficient society.
Programme highlights
- The summer school’s premise is that the energy transition has a systemic nature, implying that a sectoral approach or merely technical innovation are not sufficient. It requires a co-evolution of infrastructure and technology, cultural meaning and beliefs about problems and solutions, changes in rules and institutions and reshuffling of actors and their power relations.
- The summer school underlines the importance of an inter- and transdisciplinary approach, integrating knowledge across academic disciplines and with non-academic stakeholders to address the sustainability challenge ahead. The summer school therefore offers an attractive and varied programme with lectures, interactive sessions and site visits.
- To bring taught concepts and theories to life and to explore the actual implementation and its challenges, the programme will use the unique Antwerp region ecosystem (including the city, the port of Antwerp, neigbourhoods, industry, research hubs, …). The summer school offers unique opportunities to network with policy makers, companies, NGOs and academics.
- To prepare for the participant’s future as a change agent in the energy transition, this summer school focuses on problem-based learning, activating teaching methods, and a group project where participants collaborate in a collective and inter- and transdisciplinary setting to develop a problem definition and solution scenarios for a specific challenge in the energy transition.
- The summer school focuses on energy transitions in Western welfare states and regions, without losing sight of the immer current global dimensions. This summer school explicitly aims to train participants aiming to engage in the energy transition in a Western European or broader: a ‘Global North’ context, also particularly welcoming non-EU students that aim to work in the Global North. The international setting of the summer school, the international participants group and the international perspectives brought in during the workshops are a distinct advantage of this summer school.
Target group
The programme targets students from diverse disciplines, as well as professionals and researchers, who are eager to deepen their understanding of energy transitions from a multidisciplinary perspective. Candidates from various academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, such as but not limited to social sciences, environmental sciences, economics, policy, law, and engineering. A strong interest in sustainability and a multidisciplinary approach are essential.
Prerequisites
Eligible participants should have completed at least three years of higher education, including final-year Bachelor students, Master students, professionals, and researchers.
Provisional schedule 2025
Please note that this is a provisional schedule and may be subject to changes. The full day-by-day schedule with all speakers will be finalised and published over the course of the spring. The following University of Antwerp speakers have already been confirmed: Ann Crabbé, Tom Tytgat, Anastasia Papangelou, Dirk Holemans, Kris Bachus, Ivan Verhaert, and Philippe Nimmegeers.
Online preparatory module | June 2025 (to be absorbed at own pace) | Selection of articles and videos on various course-related topics |
Live week | Monday 30 June 2025 | Welcome & Introduction |
Climate change mitigation and energy | ||
Energy and climate models | ||
Electricity systems and markets | ||
Financing the energy transition | ||
Opening reception | ||
Tuesday 1 July 2025 | Management of the energy transition | |
Discussion | ||
Wednesday 2 July 2025 | The politics and policies of global energy transitions | |
The EU climate and energy framework | ||
Energy security in a time of geopolitical shifts | ||
| Thursday 3 July 2025 | Technology and innovation |
| Friday 4 July 2025 | Business-oriented approach: How to make a viable business case? |
Energy modelling and energy auditing | ||
Site visits (e.g. port visit) | ||
Saturday 5 July 2025 | Optional social activities | |
Sunday 6 July 2025 | Optional social activities | |
| Monday 7 July 2025 | A just energy transition |
Organising a fair transition: What does it take? | ||
Human rights and the right on energy | ||
An energy justice analysis of global renewable energy transformation | ||
Tuesday 8 July 2025 | A just energy transition: case studies and site visits | |
Conference dinner | ||
| Wednesday 9 July 2025 | Preparation group work presentations |
Thursday 10 July 2025 | Group work presentations | |
Closing reception & Certificate ceremony |
Learning outcomes
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:
- Understand the reasons for an energy transition, situate the current and desired energy mix, and reflect upon the necessary transformation of energy infrastructure and energy markets
- Explain what different types of changes a(n energy) transition requires, and be able to critically reflect about managerial aspects of transitions
- Understand the role of the European Union in the global energy transition, characterise EU climate and energy policies and reflect upon energy security in times of geopolitical shifts
- Understand the implications of the energy transition for the energy policy of businesses, including being acquainted with energy auditing and energy monitoring
- Understand the justice implications of the energy transition, including being able to explain potential impacts of energy transition on existing and new social inequalities
- Share practical insights into the ‘transition on the ground’ in businesses and NGO settings, through excursions and guest lectures from experts with diverse backgrounds
- Develop and critically assess solutions for the energy transition, with special sensitivity towards the complexity of the challenge and being able to navigate between the perspectives of different disciplines and stakeholders
Campus
This summer school takes place at Stadscampus (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp) of the University of Antwerp. This campus is located in the city centre.
Micro-credential and study credits (ECTS)
Successful completion of the summer school can be awarded with 3 credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Credits will be awarded by the University of Antwerp on the base of attending the preparatory track, 95% (active) participation during the course and group work and submission of an individual essay after the course.
Participants will be assessed based on permanent evaluation (20%), the group presentation during the last day of the summer school (50%) and an individual reflection report to be submitted shortly after the summer school (30%). Successful participation to both the group assignment and the individual report are compulsory, to receive a certificate of completion.
To include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution, participants need an agreement with the responsible person at their university. A certificate will be awarded at the end of the programme. All certificates of completion are issued as a micro-credential.
Social programme
Participants will be able to get in touch with peers attending other summer schools at the Antwerp Summer University. A visit to the beautiful city hall, a networking reception, a guided city walk, a quiz night are only some examples of these activities.
All activities of the social programme are offered free of charge. In some cases participants will be asked for a deposit which will be reimbursed upon participation to the activity.