Islands as Lighthouses for Sustainability (ISLAS)
Islands as Lighthouses for Sustainability
Methodologically and scientifically, islands serve as lighthouses, illuminating the intricate interplay of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Their island conditions, such as size, relative remoteness, and specific political contexts, make them key sites for examining how communities adapt to environmental and socio-economic transitions.
Summer School on and about Islands
Co-organised by the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Islands and Sustainability (ISLANDS) and the University of the Aegean, the ISLAS Summer School 2026 will take place in person in Mytilini, Lesvos Island, in Greece from July 2 to July 12th 2026.
Central Themes of the Summer School
During the summer school, participants will explore key topics around marine and land planning on islands, with a focus on socio-economic adaptations, environmental sustainability, and cultural resilience.
Participants will use spatial data and perform spatial analyses for different aspects of planning in selected island settings. Participants will develop research and analysis skills and deepen their understanding of planning for island sustainability and resilience.
Combination of Theory and Practice
The main teaching activities will take place in the University of the Aegean in Mytilini, with 2 excursions, one to Turkey and one to local villages and natural sites. Participants will also participate in the City+2026 Conference 2-3 July. This provides a unique combination of academic engagement and real-world application, giving participants insights into the complex issues surrounding sustainability and resilience in remote island communities.
The main part of the ISLAs Summer School 2026 will take place from 2-12 July. The programme will also include a series of preparatory virtual tasks and meetings in June, and will formally conclude with the submission of a report due at the end of July.
Practical information
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Dates
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1 - 12 July 2026
The programme also includes a series of preparatory virtual tasks and online meetings from 1 June 2026 until the start of the summer school. There is one additional, final online meeting following the submission of a report by the participants that will take place at the end of July.
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Location
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Online (from 1 June 2026 until the in-person summer school) and on site in Lesvos, Greece from 1 to 12 July 2026
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Level
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MA/MSC/PhD/Postdoc/Practitioners
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Fee
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No fee due to a multilateral Erasmus agreement.
Daily breakfast and lunch in the University canteen, as well as two group dinners are included and are not at the participants own expense.
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Accommodation in Mytilini
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There is limited amount of free accommodation at the University dorms in Mytilini, where single occupancy rooms will be available for the participants. The rooms in the dorms will be assigned to participants on a first come, first serve basis.
When the free accommodation is fully booked participants will need to arrange their own accommodation.
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Academic coordinators
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Prof Thanasis Kizos, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean Prof. Dimitris Ballas, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen
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Contact
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islas@rug.nl |
Requirements
Who is this summer school for?
The summer school is designed primarily for postgraduate students (taught Master as well as PhD candidates) and post-doctoral researchers. Applications of excellent undergraduate students (both in terms of academic performance as well as relevant extra-curricular activities and demonstrated interest in the themes covered by the summer school) and external stakeholders (e.g. employees of local authorities, NGOs and any other organisation that is relevant to the summer school themes) will also be taken into consideration.
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.
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
After this course you will be able to:
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Understand the current scientific theories and concepts of islands as unique and privileged spaces for studying sustainability, particularly focusing on remote communities in transition.
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Gain insights into the socio-spatial, cultural, and economic processes that affect remote island communities in terms of sustainability, resilience, and adaptation to modern challenges.
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Develop an enhanced understanding of how public and private sectors can influence social and territorial cohesion in remote and island contexts.
Workload
Upon successful completion of the programme, the Summer School offers a Certificate of Attendance that mentions the workload of 140 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.
Speakers
Teaching staff
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Prof Thanasis Kizos, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean
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Prof Giorgos Tsilimigkas, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean
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Prof. Dimitris Ballas, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen
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Dr. Evangelia Derdemezi, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean
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Sofia Zafeirelli, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean
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Efi Chatzi, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean
*More speakers will be announced shortly.
Application procedure
How to apply?
To apply, kindly fill out the online application form. Please note that you will be asked to upload the following documents:
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CV (max 2 pages)
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Motivation letter (max 1 page)
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Academic transcript
The final application deadline is 31 March 2026. Selection will take place on a rolling basis. Generally, you hear back from the selection committee about the outcome of the selection procedure within a week from submitting your application.
The summer school is an initiative of the Sustainable Landscapes research group of the University of Groningen and the international Erasmus Mundus Research Master Islands and Sustainability programme ISLANDS.
The Sustainable Landscapes research group at UG is devoted to developing knowledge for better landscape governance by combining cutting-edge disciplinary and integrative research from widely differing scientific fields.
