Weimar, Germany

Designing for Systems Change not Climate Change

Learn how to break down the complexity of climate change, and address this challenge using your creativity, systems thinking, and design mindset.

COVID-19 has clearly shown us that what other people are doing in seemingly unrelated fields has an enormous impact on our lives. Our way of living, working, and leading are highly influenced by other issues that at first glance not directly connected. Our problems are networked, meaning there are numerous connections between different problems and challenges. The hazards of climate change will be no different. Increased heatwaves, droughts, and floods are already affecting us and nature and causing cascading impacts that are increasingly difficult to manage. The complexity of this challenge requires systems change, not climate change. As creative people, we can unite and tackle this challenge in a cleverer way. How can we do that is the focus of this course. This course will help you understand how to break down the complexity of climate change, address this challenge by utilising your creativity, and by equipping you with systems thinking and a design mindset.

The objective of the course is to strengthen the participants' ability to understand how to approach complex challenges and how to take initiative in the midst of this complexity.

It is an experiential learning course. The experimental structure of the course creates a dynamic, playful opportunity for students to exercise their imaginations and take ownership of their collective learning process. The course components are content, readings, fieldwork, leadership learning teamwork, and a learning journal.

The course is divided into two parts:

1. Think like a systems designer – We will build a common foundation of understanding systems thinking, exploring how to approach complex challenges like climate change with systems thinking and understanding the roles we can take in a systemic change.

2. Act like a systems designer – As a team, we will use creativity and design skills to address challenges related to climate change.

Course leader

Seyda Nur Günes
- Learning Designer and Coach
- Mechanical Engineer and Management Engineer with focus on sustainability
- Freelance Learning Experience Designer and Innovation Coach/Consultant focusing on leadership, sustainability and experience desi

Target group

Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral students coming from multi-disciplinary subjects who have a passion for sustainability
Having design skills is helpful, but it is not mandatory.

Eventhough, the application deadline has passed, please contact us in order to inquire whether we have any further openings for you!

Credits info

3 EC
After successful completion of the language course, you will receive a certificate of participation issued by the Bauhaus Summer School.

Participants earn 3 credit points (ECTS) after completion of the two-week course. In order to receive credit points, t is necessary to attend at least 80% of the course lessons and to fulfil the required tasks. It is possible to receive 2 extra credit points (ECTS) for the course if you book an additional module.

Prior to your participation, it is essential that you clarify whether your home university will recognise the foreign credits you intend to earn.

If you would like to receive a grade, you must discuss this with the teacher at the beginning of the course! The fulfilment of additional tasks may be necessary.

Fee info

EUR 890: 2 weeks (90 hrs)

The course fee is 890 EUR.
EUR 690: 690 EURO for students & alumni.
350 EURO for BUW students.

The course fee includes:

- Orientation & Support
- Programme according to description
- Teaching materials
- Bauhaus Summer School ID card
- Daily Lunch at the University Cafeteria (Monday - Friday)
- Certificate
- Internet access at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
- Free use of library
- Accompanying programme including excursions
- Free entrance to museums belonging to Klassik Stiftung Weimar

The course fee does NOT include:

- Travel costs
- Accommodation
- Insurance
- Additional module(s) (190 €)