Risk awareness, response scenarios, resolutions.
Let's talk about global change.
This overarching motto inspired also the sixth Forster Summer School from 04.07.-15.07.2025. As a short-term Blended Intensive Program (BIP) the summer school included a virtual component and a physical mobility.
25 students from our FORTHEM Alliance and ERASMUS+ partner universities University of Burgundy, University of Jyväskylä, University of Palermo, University of Valencia, Charles University, from our cooperation partner Sultan Quaboos University in Muscat, Oman and from JGU took part in the international and interdisciplinary event.
Topic
Forster Summer School 2025 was dedicated to the research topic "resilience" entitled "Forster Summer School explores – resilience in times of global crisis. Risk awareness, response scenarios, resolutions.” The world, our planet Earth, is currently exposed to extreme events such as climate change, natural disasters, loss of biodiversity, scarcity of resources, uncontrolled artificial intelligence, technology and power failures, anti-democratic tendencies and war.
How can we face these planetary transformations or global crisis? How can we be better prepared? What makes individuals, societies and systems more resilient in emergencies?
These and similar research questions and conceptualizations of the term “resilience” were addressed by psychological disciplines as well as natural, social and technically applied sciences during the 12-days summer school. In different kind of settings (talks, workshops, scientific excursions), the students discovered and discussed current discourses and scientific perspectives on resilience research.
Virtual kick-off and physical scientific program
The BIP offered a vibrant mix of expert talks, lively discussions, hands-on activities, scientific visits, and inspiring excursions.
It kicked off with an energetic virtual workshop, where participants from various academic backgrounds explored the concept of resilience from a psychological perspective. A keynote lecture from the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research provided insights into current research and introduced practical resilience techniques for everyday life.
Building teams - Scientific projects and discussions
Building on this, the first day focused on resilience’s governmental implications and resilience in geography education, linking the topic to teaching and learning. Three group projects, developed by the students during the summer school, were launched. With a focus on fostering their (GEO)resilience, the small groups worked on either an individual approach, on the question of reconnecting with (their) nature or on the developpement of (their) politics of hope. Three didactic models of transformative learning from geographical education and modes of representation from documentaries were taken into account.
As the program continued, interdisciplinary perspectives emerged — ranging from geothermal energy and storage, to resilience in chemical/pharmaceutical supply chains, and pandemic preparedness. Experts from Translational Oncology Mainz (TRON) and the FORTHEM partner University of Valencia contributed valuable input, including innovative approaches to resilience regarding self-amplifying RNAs in the context of mRNA vaccines and through sustainable food systems.
Exploring JGU campus, cultures, linguistics, sports and regional highlights
The on-site program included visits to the JGU Training Pharmacy (Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences) and the Botanical Garden, with a focus on plant resilience to climate change and preservation of biodiversity. A scientific excursion to TU Darmstadt featured the energy-autonomous smart home “eHUB,” formerly a Solar Decathlon house, now a real-world lab for crisis and disaster response developed by the LOEWE Center emergenCITY. Afterwards, the student group viewed the Litfass column 4.0, inaugurated in 2025, used for digital emergency communications in the event of a crisis and disaster.
Participants also enjoyed a sustainability tour of Mainz, a campus tour, sport activities, German language workshops, creative group projects, rafting in the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, and an international evening.
This rich and engaging program fostered group work, gain in academic knowledge, exploring the country and the region, networking, new friendships and unforgettable shared experiences!
Testimonials and feedback from the participants
"First of all, thank you for the opportunity of being part of it. It has truly been an enriching and inspiring experience, as I'll be leaving Mainz with new knowledge and also with more questions to find the answer for than when I arrived.”
Olimpia, Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Doctorate, University of Valencia, Spain
We are looking forward to your application for Forster Summer School 2026!
Thanks to the Erasmus+ program and co-funding from the European Union, the BIP was able to be implemented.
Fotos: © Happel © Larguier © Mailat Gurghian © Rußkamp © Schellack