On February 26, the Arqus Winter School 2021 "Rethinking Climate Risk" concluded a week of intensive, interactive, and interdisciplinary workshops with a closing plenary. Students from each of the seven Arqus universities were engaged in thinking about what it means to be a European Citizen, and how this citizenship is being galvanized around societal challenges; from pandemics to global climate change, or in evolving to a more diverse and mixed society. During this week, they worked on group research projects on climate risk in each Arqus city and were equipped with interdisciplinary research ideas, skills, and resources.
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An intense but exciting week, filled with interesting lectures and workshops. I enjoyed working together with fun and smart students who made me more aware of the role I want to take as a European citizen in contributing to climate resilience. (Annechien Hoeben, student of the Joint International Master's Programme in Sustainable Development, Uni Graz)
The Arqus Winter School was a truly rewarding experience. The importance of fostering an ethic of European climate citizenship has never been more pressing, and the multinational transdisciplinary approach of the Winter School was an excellent forum for promoting and achieving this goal. On a personal note, as an older returning student, I particularly enjoyed interacting with my younger colleagues and experiencing firsthand the enthusiasm and passion that they bring to the table in addressing climate change. (Bruce Straight, student of the Master's Programme PELP (Political, Economic and Legal Philosophy), Uni Graz)
Through the international ARQUS Winter School and the interesting lectures by the selected panel of experts, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the various interactions in the field of climate risks. Although the event had to be online, it was successfully made interactive and thinking outside the box was encouraged. (Christina Mader, student of the Master's Programme Global Studies, Uni Graz)
There are not many exciting things we can do during a global pandemic, but Arqus Winter School definitely was one. Encouraging and inspiring experience with such a great atmosphere even in the online form. I will benefit a lot not only from the knowledge and skills gained but also from the great boost of energy I got from the Winter School week! (Katherina Kührová, student of the Joint International Master's Programme in Sustainable Development, Uni Graz)
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The Arqus Winter School was the beginning of a unique educational journey, the Arqus Collaboratory Programme 2021. The challenge-based approach of this programme aims to educate critically engaged European citizens, and it is being run in parallel at all seven Arqus universities this semester. In this course, students will work together with other students and experts from across Europe, on the transformative and disruptive challenges of our time as part of the Arqus European University Alliance. Students are challenged with conducting their own interdisciplinary research projects into how grand challenges take shape in the seven cities within the Alliance. In the frame of the Arqus Collaboratory Programme 2021, students will investigate the risks of climate change – from landslides to sea-level rise – and the role of institutions and citizens addressing these risks.
At the University of Graz, the Arqus Collaboratory challenge-based learning programme continues with the IP Societal responses to climate risk. Seven professors will work with students in seven small research groups on topics related to societal responses to climate risks; with special focus on chances, risks and unintended side effects of strategies, measures and technologies for climate change mitigation.
Anja Hoffmann