Sustainable Development in the Context of Contemporary Socio-Economic Transformations

Background of Summer School / Introduction

The ELLS Summer School is intended for students interested in current issues of sustainable regional development and in exchanging knowledge, discovering new things, and establishing new contacts in an international environment.

Hosting University

Warsaw University of Life Sciences

Venue

Poland, Warsaw, Warsaw University of Life Sciences

Date

5 – 10 July 2026

Participants

Students of master’s and doctoral study programmes (eventually bachelor’s SPs)

Previous Knowledge

Experience with individual elaborating and presentation of relevant topics.

Course Content

• Preparatory activity (elaboration of a presentation);
• Lectures on the topic of the summer school delivered by ELLS lecturers and other experts;
• Presentation, discussion, and defence of students´ presentations;
• Field trip to the Mazovian Region;
• Case study elaboration, presentation, and defence.

Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)

After completing the course, the participants should be able to:

• Knowledge: Graduates will gain knowledge of sustainable development in a regional context, encompassing economic, environmental, and social dimensions.
• Skills: Graduates will understand sustainability challenges from both theoretical and practical perspectives, grounded in real-world case studies and applications.
• Competences: Graduates will be able to apply the acquired knowledge and skills in further studies and professional practice, including communication with experts, critical analysis, decision-making, and management within regional sustainability frameworks.

Course Schedule

• July 5: opening the summer school
• July 6: teaching day
• July 7: field trip
• July 8- 9: teaching days
• July 10: case study presentation and defence, the official closing of the summer school

Course Language

English

Course Format / Teaching Methods

The course consists of two basic parts: preparatory activities and an in-person summer school.

• Preparatory activities (prior to the summer school): Students do preliminary work by elaborating on their papers (draft of thesis or other related to the summer school topic) and commenting on the papers of other students.
• The in-person summer school: lectures (delivered by ELLS teachers and other experts), presentations of students´ presentations, a field trip to gather information for a case study, case study elaboration, presentation, and defence.

Number of Credits [ECTS]

3 ECTS

Type of Assessment and Assessment Criteria

The type of assessment is a certificate with classification and credit awarding.

Assessment criteria:

• proving knowledge and understanding of the topics in the prepared articles based on their presentation and discussion;
• proving the ability to evaluate and discuss other students´ presentations appropriately;
• proving the ability to solve and defend a practical project.

Cultural Activities / Social Program

Warsaw sightseeing, cultural event in a rural area, opening and closing party,

Tuition Fees

EUR 480/ EUR 450 (early payment before 31st May 2026)

Additional Costs

None

Accommodation

WULS dormitories (university campus)

Health Insurance

Participants are responsible for their own health insurance

Visa

Participants are responsible for checking for themselves if a visa is necessary.

Application Deadline

May 15 2026

Contact persons

Dr Agnieszka Parlińska  or Dr hab. Ewa Stawicka