Application and selection criteria: (1) Registered as a PhD or MSc student; (2) Thesis/research topic related to forests; (3) English proficiency; (4) Scientific quality of the submitted case study (max. 5 pages incl. map of the study site); (5) Stable internet connection.
About this program
The Forest and Landscapes Summer School focuses on Case Studies in Sustainability of Forest Governance and Management. This summer school will be hosted by the Land Systems and Sustainable Land Management Unit of the Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Switzerland – from Monday 11. – Saturday 16. September (Online/In-person).
Forests are under immense pressure from anthropogenic exploitation and degradation as well as environmental and climate change. The resulting changes have dire consequences for the ecological integrity of forests and for the resilience of dependent livelihoods. There is thus a need to facilitate interdisciplinary research and cross-case learning focused on how governance and management strategies can secure forest sustainability. Accordingly, this summer school aims to enhance our understanding of the sustainability of forest governance, management, and use. It addresses the following questions: How can progress toward sustainability be achieved from the perspectives of biodiversity and environmental justice and tracked through science-based criteria and indicators? What emerging questions must be addressed to progress toward sustainable forest governance, management, and use?
What you’ll learn:
The summer school addresses the following questions: How can progress toward sustainability be achieved from the perspectives of biodiversity and environmental justice and tracked through science-based criteria and indicators? What emerging questions must be addressed to progress toward sustainable forest governance, management, and use?
It will facilitate cross-case learning on sustainability and enable participants to:
- gain a deeper understanding of different governance and management strategies influencing sustainable forest outcomes.
- identify, develop, or improve (existing) frameworks or indicators for measuring progress towards sustainable forest use.
Participants will gain ECTS (5 ECTS) and attendance certificate: Active participation for at least 85% of the time.
The Programme
Mon 11.09.2023: Introduction; Aims and Objectives; Lecture. Individual presentations and round table discussions of assigned concepts and applications to a case study on forest governance and management I
Tue 12.09.2023: Individual presentations and round table discussions II Lecture comparative analysis; Group work on designing a comparative framework for analysis of the case studies.
Wed 13.09.2023: Individual work and free half-day OR Evening excursion – Forest management in Switzerland
Thu 14.09.2023: Group work on comparative analysis of the case studies
Alternative date: Evening excursion – Forest management in Switzerland
Fri 15.09.2023: Group work on preparing draft-comparative papers on sustainability in forest governance and management.
Sat 16.09.2023: Presentation of draft comparative papers; Synthesis and Wrap-up/Follow-up
Sun 17.09.2023: Departure of (in-person) participants