Religion, Equity and Environmental Justice

About

Are you interested in how religion, equity, and environmental justice intersect in contemporary societies? This interdisciplinary summer school offers a unique opportunity to engage critically with some of the most pressing debates shaping environmental justice, social inequality, and cultural and religious diversity today.

Over five intensive days, you will work closely with an international team of scholars through interactive lectures, facilitated discussions, and hands-on workshops. The programme combines theoretical perspectives from religious studies, sociology, anthropology, and political science with empirical case studies from diverse global contexts. Key questions include: How do religious worldviews shape responses to climate change and environmental injustice? In what ways do religion and belief intersect with gender, migration, inequality, and environmental governance? How can insights from the study of religion inform more equitable and just policies and practices at the intersections of cultural diversity, gender equality, and sustainability?

Beyond thematic knowledge, the summer school places a strong emphasis on academic and professional skill development. You will strengthen your research design, writing, and presentation skills, receive practical guidance on research funding and proposal development, and gain experience presenting and discussing your own work in a supportive, interdisciplinary setting. Participants will also become part of the GRACE-ETN alumni network, offering continued opportunities for international exchange, collaboration, and professional networking beyond the duration of the course.

Hosted in a hybrid format by the University of Groningen, the summer school also invites you to experience Groningen and the north of the Netherlands, while engaging with a vibrant academic community at one of Europe’s leading research universities

Course leader

Manoela Carpenedo, Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society | Ana Fernández-Aballí, Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society | Julia Martínez-Ariño, Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society

Target group

Level and background requirements
This summer school is intended for MA students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and early career researchers who work on, or are interested in, the intersections of religion, equity, and environmental justice. It is particularly relevant for participants from the social sciences and humanities, including religious studies, sociology, anthropology, political science, gender studies, migration studies, and environmental humanities.

Participants are expected to have, at least, started their MA programme at the time of application and to have a sufficient command of the English language to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English. As the summer school is primarily aimed at candidates from the social sciences and humanities, applications from those in these fields will be prioritised over applicants from other disciplinary backgrounds.

Participants should have a basic familiarity with academic research and an interest in interdisciplinary perspectives on religion, equity, and environmental justice. While prior expertise in all three areas is not required, applicants should be motivated to engage critically with theoretical debates, empirical case studies, and peer discussions.

Who is this summer school designed for?
The course is designed for participants who seek to deepen their theoretical and empirical understanding of how religious beliefs, practices, and institutions shape responses to social inequality and environmental challenges across diverse contexts. It will also benefit those interested in interdisciplinary approaches, comparative perspectives, and the societal and policy implications of research on religion, climate justice, and equity.

Applicants who wish to strengthen their academic skills, engage in critical discussion, present their own research in an international setting, and build long-term connections with peers and senior scholars will find this summer school particularly valuable.

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

Learning outcomes
After this course you will be able to:
- Critically engage with key theories and debates on the study of religion in relation to equity and environmental justice.
- Apply interdisciplinary perspectives and methodological approaches to analyse empirical cases at the intersections of religion, environmental justice, and social inequality.
- Develop core professional skills relevant to academic careers, including research design, funding awareness, and academic career planning.
- Strengthen research communication skills through effective oral presentation, structured feedback, and interdisciplinary dialogue.

Workload
- Preparation: 8 hours
Participants are expected to prepare in advance by reading selected literature, reflecting on key concepts related to religion, equity, and environmental justice.
- Contact hours (lectures, workshops, discussions): 16 hours
The programme includes five days of in-person activities, combining interactive lectures, methodological workshops, skills-based sessions, and facilitated discussions. Daily contact time ranges between 2 and 4 hours, in line with the published schedule.
- Presentations and active participation: 4 hours
Participants will present and discuss their own work in small-group sessions and actively engage in peer feedback, group discussions, and collaborative exercises throughout the week.

Upon successful completion of the programme, the Summer School offers a Certificate of Attendance that mentions the workload of 28 hours (28 hours corresponds 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.

Proof of Competence (digital credential)
Participants who successfully complete the summer school (including the final assignment) have also the possibility to obtain a Proof of Competence (digital credential) to acknowledge participation and engagement with the content. Participants who qualify for a Proof of Competence can obtain a digital badge via the EduBadges platform managed by SURF— the cooperative of Dutch education and research institutions. The digital badge is stored on this platform and contains metadata, making the content, learning outcomes, study load hours and language of instruction of the educational activity clear and transparent. The digital badge is therefore verifiable and can be shared on, for example, a CV or LinkedIn