Understanding the Feedback Loop between Pandemics and Information Dissemination

blended course

The Infodemics Pandemics Summer School (IPSS) is an 8-day interdisciplinary school focused on the feedback loop between pandemics and information dissemination. The IPSS will be held in Lübeck, Germany, from August 26th to September 3rd, 2023.

The goal of the IPSS is to bring together the brightest minds from interdisciplinary fields, including epidemiology, media psychology, social sciences, physics, and complex systems research. Our aim is to address the challenges of studying the impact of information, news, and fake news on human behavior and its interaction with pandemic dynamics. Throughout the entire course of the IPSS, inspirational talks by leading scientists are accompanied by interactive tutorials and hands-on research projects for international early career scientists, the students of the summer school.

Prior to the IPSS, we will provide the participants with tools to create powerful agent-based simulations for individual research projects (i.e., Julia and Agents.jl). Lectures will be in the form of a self-study online course with an interactive forum for Q&As. Once it starts, the IPSS will be held entirely on-site in Lübeck to provide inspiring talks that broaden and deepen perspectives on opinion and disease dynamics. Furthermore, we reserve plenty of time for discussions and project work under the guidance of our tutors. On the final day, we wrap up with presentations of the projects and discussions on how to proceed in future projects.

World-class research aside, the city of Lübeck is worth the trip alone. Home to 5 gothic churches and their 7 spires, 90 winding alleys and beautiful courtyards, more than 20 lovingly preserved traditional ships, and the famous Holstentor, Lübeck’s old town was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Culture lovers will be delighted by the city’s numerous museums. The Buddenbrookhaus, for example, houses permanent exhibitions about the life of the Mann family of writers and the Nobel Prize-winning novel Die Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann. The European Hansemuseum is dedicated to the history of the Hanseatic League and Lübeck as its capital. There is so much more to discover, and for those interested in exploring the city, we also have some social evening events planned.

Visit our official website for more information about speakers, our schedule, details on the application process, and pricing.

Course leader

Prof. Dr. André Calero Valdez, Prof. Dr. Mirjam Kretzschmar, Prof. Dr. Michael Mäs, Prof. Dr. Kai Nagel, Dr. Viola Priesemann

Target group

Anyone (Master students, PhD candidates, post-docs) interested in modeling infodemics and pandemics and their interconnection is welcome to apply. We are looking for highly motivated students with the abilities to think analytically and to work in groups effectively. Furthermore, we assume that you have a certain level of programming skills to participate. But don't worry if you never programmed before! We will provide tutorial materials ahead of time, so you can prepare yourself. The tutorial will cover Julia and Agents.jl in such depth that you will be able to work independently in no time. If in doubt, please reach out and we can help you!

Course aim

The aims of the IPSS is to bring together the brightest minds interdisciplinary fields, to get up to date with the latest research on the interplay between the spread of diseases and information, to learn and apply the tools to study this interplay, and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Credits info

4 EC
Credit points are based on 10 hours self-study prior to the IPSS and 90 hours on location during the IPSS.

Fee info

EUR 450: This option covers access to all talks and workshops, food and drinks at the venue, conference dinner, bus ticket, and joint city tour.

With this option, you have to organize accommodation yourself. Please do so in time, as Lübeck is a popular vacation area, especially in the summer.
EUR 750: This option covers accommodation (youth hostel dorm bed) access to all talks and workshops, food and drinks at the venue, conference dinner, bus ticket, joint city tour.

For a surcharge of €500 (€1,250 in total) you can upgrade your accommodation to a private hotel room.

Scholarships

We award up to eight scholarships for outstanding applications. Students receiving a scholarship will have no costs for registration and accommodation (hostel only).