Islands as Lighthouses for Sustainability (ISLAS)
Methodologically and scientifically, islands serve as lighthouses, illuminating the intricate interplay of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. ISLAS 2027 specifically explores how life is shaped and practiced in small island communities examining islands as more than geographical entities.
Co-organised by the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Islands and Sustainability (ISLANDS) and the University of the Faroe Islands, the ISLAS Summer School 2027 will take place in person in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands, from May 4th – 7th 2027.
Through the lens of island studies, ISLAS students will investigate how human–sea–island relations, connectivity, and the social, cultural, material and environmental characteristics of island settings shape everyday life and research. The course also encourages critical reflection on the ethical implications of conducting research in small island communities.
The purpose of the course is to introduce students to concepts and perspectives in island studies enabling them to apply and further develop these in their own research.
The course comprises the following main topics:
· Place-based identities
· Belonging and social inclusion/exclusion in small communities
· Humans and nonhuman relations, including nature, the sea, weather systems, and climate
· Connectivity, transport and infrastructure
· Mobilities and migration
Practical information
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Dates
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4 – 7 May 2027
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Location
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Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
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Level
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PhD students and research master students
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Fee
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€ 450
The fee includes: Daily lunch and refreshments and the excursion Flights and accommodation are the responsibility of each participant and must be arranged independently.
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Academic coordinators
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Dr. Erika Anne Hayfield, Faculty of History and Social Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands Prof. Firouz Gaini, Faculty of History and Social Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands Prof. Dimitris Ballas, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen Sissal Dahl, 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 for PhD students and research master students. Students shall write a pre-course outline of their project and consider relevant topics for course assignment.
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
On completion of the course, students can demonstrate an ability to:
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Discuss and critically explain in which ways Island Studies helps us understand identities, mobilities and social dynamics in small island contexts.
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Describe how the sea/ocean influences everyday life, social relations and connectivity in island contexts.
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Identify and review transport and infrastructure systems in relation to questions on connectivity within and between islands.
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Analyse human-sea-island relations with regard to the role social, cultural and environmental island characteristics.
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Discuss and assess basic ethical implications of qualitative research in small island contexts.
Workload
The summer school include pre-course outline of own project and consideration of relevant topics for course assignment, active participation (100% attendance, participation in group work during the course) and submission of assignment. The pre-course submission and assignment must be passed.
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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Dr. Erika Anne Hayfield, Faculty of History and Social Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands
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Prof. Firouz Gaini, Faculty of History and Social Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands
Additional lecturers from the University of the Faroe Islands will be announced at a later stage -
Prof. Dimitris Ballas, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen
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Prof. Thanasis Kizos, Department of Geography, University of the Aegean
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Prof. Benjamin Hennig (Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland)
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Sissal Dahl, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen
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 January 2027. Selection will take place on a rolling basis.
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.
