Public Participation in Sustainable Transitions: Energy island Ameland

About

Today’s urgent environmental issues, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the depletion of natural resources, call for bold, creative thinking and collaboration across fields. So, the energy transition is not just a technical puzzle but also a social and environmental one. This Summer School invites participants to break out of their disciplinary silos and discover how community engagement, public participation, and citizen empowerment can spark sustainable energy solutions for Ameland, a unique island in the Wadden Sea.

At the heart of the Summer School lies a real-world challenge from the Ameland Energy Cooperative, revealed at the program’s outset. Participants will dive deeper into the Cooperative’s mission and sustainability efforts during an immersive field trip to Ameland Island, where they will see firsthand the projects and initiatives shaping the community’s future. To tackle these complex energy issues, participants will join expert-led sessions spanning law, social sciences, spatial planning, and environmental sciences, gaining fresh perspectives to craft integrated, sustainable solutions.

The Summer School opens its doors to participants from all walks of life and experience levels. To set the stage for meaningful collaboration, everyone will receive preparatory reading materials and be encouraged to share their unique insights throughout the program. Working in small, interdisciplinary teams, participants will tackle the challenge together, culminating in a final presentation of their innovative solutions to both their peers and the Ameland Energy Cooperative.

This summer school is linked to the Master Environmental Psychology as well as the Master Energy and Climate Law at the University of Groningen.

Course leader

Prof. Dr. Goda Perlaviciute - Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences and Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Squintani – Faculty of Law

Target group

This summer school is for Master students, postgraduate students (PhDs and postdocs), and professionals interested in public participation and sustainability transitions

It is expected that the participants have a sufficient command of the English language to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English.

Course aim

After this course you will be able to:
1. Learn about key developments relating to public participation in regards to energy transition;
2. Gain and apply insights from different academic disciplines on a challenge related to public participation and energy transition;
3. Work together in international, interdisciplinary teams of students, researchers and practitioners.

Workload
- Preparation: 14 hours
- Lectures: 32 hours
- Presentation: 10 hours

Upon successful completion of the programme, the Summer School offers a Certificate of Attendance that mentions the workload of 56 hours (28 hours correspond to 1 ECTS). Students can apply for recognition of these credits to the relevant authorities in their home institutions, therefore the final decision on awarding credits is at the discretion of their home institutions. We will be happy to provide any necessary information that might be requested in addition to the certificate of attendance.

Fee info