Summer Schools
Discover the potential of socially engaged research
Co-organised Summer School
ENGAGE! Engaging Science for Resilient and Liveable Cities
Tartu (Estonia), August 7-18, 2023
ENGAGE! Summer School for Early Career Researchers was co-organised by the BetterLife Life project with Erasmus+ projects URGENT and TRIGGER. Held it Tartu, Estonia, from August 7 to 18, 2023, it had brought together 48 participants from six countries for two weeks of intensive exploration of socially engaged research (SER) as an approach for the development of sustainable cities.
The ENGAGE! School successfully combined interactive sessions, field trips, and group work, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Set in the city of Tartu, the school provided participants with valuable hands-on project and research experience focused on the management and planning of urban green and blue infrastructure. The program placed particular emphasis on the production and dissemination of socially engaging science, with the goal of supporting resilient and livable urban environments.
Period 1 — Scoping Phase
The school began with an introductory 2-day period (Period 1 – Scoping Phase), where participants received an overview of global urban sustainability challenges, with a specific focus on Europe. Sessions covered a variety of sectors and stakeholder perspectives, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of urban sustainability. Additionally, the scoping phase highlighted the challenges associated with the low level of engagement between research and society, including urban residents, social groups, policymakers, and practitioners involved in urban management and planning.
Period 2 — Research Training Phase
The following 4-day period (Period 2 – Research Training Phase) focused on developing participants’ research methodologies and skills. Workshops covered a broad range of topics, such as field and remote sensing data collection, GIS, modelling, assessment tools, and science-policy-society communication. Alternative sessions were also offered in parallel to cater to different interests and skill levels. During this phase, students were required to choose a project group to address real-life urban challenges, contributing to solutions based on the knowledge gained throughout the workshops. Field excursions and case study presentations supported this practical learning.
Period 3 — Project Phase
In the next 5-day period (Period 3 – Project Phase), project groups worked intensively on research and developed proposals for practical solutions to real-world problems. Alternatively, some groups chose to create detailed paper proposals that reflected on their project experience and the learning outcomes of the ENGAGE! School. Each project group was supported by a tutor and had access to faculty for consultations. A key component of the projects was a stakeholder communication strategy, which explored how more engaging research could contribute to improving urban living conditions.
Final Day
On the final day of the school, students presented their project results, followed by discussions and feedback. Graduation ceremonies were held, and successful participants were awarded the ENGAGE! Certificate of Completion and 4 ECTS credits. Additionally, students and faculty were encouraged to further develop their final reports into academic papers or project proposals.
Overall, the ENGAGE! Summer School was a valuable educational experience, offering participants the opportunity to engage with key urban sustainability issues while gaining practical skills. The participants had a memorable and enriching time, fostering both professional growth and lasting connections, all while enjoying their time in Estonia.
Full information about the activities, faculty, agenda and outputs of the ENGAGE! School can be found on its website!
