Summer School 2025 – Transdisciplinary Approaches to Socio-Ecological Systems

From September 22 to 26, 2025, the University of Parakou (Benin) will host a summer school on the theme "Navigating Change in Agro-Pastoral Systems, " in partnership with Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (Burkina Faso), JKUAT (Kenya), Stellenbosch University (South Africa), and the Universities of Göttingen and Kassel (Germany), with the support of the Volkswagen Foundation.

This first edition is part of a series of three summer schools entitled "New perspectives on socio-ecological systems research in Africa: change, trade-offs, and coexistence." It aims to strengthen the capacities of African and German doctoral and postdoctoral students in transdisciplinary methods, social innovations, and resilience trajectories in African agro-pastoral systems.

Program

The program will alternate between lectures, practical work, fieldwork, and data analysis workshops, with a focus on issues of sustainability, governance, and social inclusion. All expenses (travel, accommodation, meals) will be covered for selected participants.

📅 Application deadline: May 31, 2025

📍 Location: University of Parakou, Benin

🔗 Application form: click here

📧 Applications should be sent to: livelihoodsummerschool2025@gmail.com (with a copy to ursaphabenin@gmail.com, gdjohy@gmail.com, ouedraogooumar@yahoo.fr)

For any questions: Dr. Georges Djohy – gdjohy@gmail.com