Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dealing Professionally with Climate Change Issues

Climate Change topics are becoming more and more relevant to various fields of science and related studies and get a strong multidisciplinary character: from Earth Sciences to Sustainability Studies, from Social Sciences to Economy including moral and ethical topics and related jurisdiction.
The goal of this winter-school is to train students and professionals to deal professionally with difficult and often controversial discussions related to Climate Change.

Course leader

dr. Gerald Ganssen

Target group

We aim to reach MSc students from all disciplines who have a professional interest in “Climate Change” and are in their second year or starting PhD’s. Also, excellent and highly motivated first year MSc students and even BSc with a grade of 8 or higher can apply. Professionals from agencies, companies, advisory offices and NGO’s are also welcome.

Course aim

During this course students will learn the scientific basics of Climate Change: facts, causes and consequences.
The in-depth information provided by the lectures on the following themes will allow them to be prepared for discussions within their own profession/study.
1. The Anthropocene: natural versus human-made climate change.
2. The past and the present: lessons for the future and its modelling.
3. The history of Climate Change.
4. Policy, politics and societal relevance.
5. Climate change and its tradeoffs.


Soft skills that will be acquired by students:
• improving the ability to speak up, discuss and defend one's opinion and arguments in relation to the public one is talking and/or presenting to.
• getting used to and improveing one's ability to deal with criticism.
• feeling and showing passion for relevant issues without losing professionalism.
• operating respectfully and professionally.
At the end of the winter-school participants will probably answer with a “Yes, I can” to:
Are you able to cope with this kind of situation when Climate Change is the subject?
- You get interviewed by a press officer or a reporter for a newspaper/magazine.
- You are involved in a discussion with a climate denier.
- You apply for a grant and get interviewed.
- Your supervisor does not agree with your plans.
- You do not agree with the reviewers of your submitted paper.

Credits info

3 EC
Contact hours: 40

Fee info

EUR 930: Tuition fee

For 2 ECTS courses:
Students, PhD students and employees of VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC or an Aurora Network Partner: €580*
Students and PhD students: €680*
Professionals: €880*
Applications received before 15 October -€50 (Early Bird Discount)

For 3 ECTS courses:
Students, PhD students and employees of VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC or an Aurora Network Partner: €630*
Students and PhD students: €730*
Professionals: €930*
Applications received before 15 October -€50 (Early Bird Discount)

* Auditor participants receive €100 discount. Not available for all courses. Early Bird Discount is not valid on the auditor fee. Find out more under the section: Type of participation

The tuition fee includes: 
* Application and registration
* Exclusive course content for a limited number of participants
* Individual/group guidance from the course organiser
* Access to all online VU facilities such as the library and online learning environments
* A certificate of attendance after completing the course 
* A transcript of records, including the grade and the obtained ECTS
* The full support of the winter school team
* Optional social activities

Scholarships

VU Graduate Winter School offers several scholarships. More information can be found on the website.