Introduction
Technologies influence our day-to-day lives, but what are their impacts on our environment? The course introduces students to the impacts of risk technologies on the environment and the instruments developed for technology assessment. Aspects and concepts of risk, governance, policy, and environmental ethics will be the subject for 9 days in August 2024. Three technological developments will be discussed: bioengineering, plastics and nanoparticles, and geo-engineering.
The course is a joint initiative from BOKU, Babeș-Bolyai University and Kaunas University of Technology, and it is part of an Erasmus Blended Intensive Programme (BIP).
The course takes place on the 5th-13th of August in Vienna, Austria, at BOKU University Campus Türkenschanze.
Maximum number of participants
25
Pre-requisites
Students of Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology or related subjects who have finished at least 1 semester (30 ECTS) in their study program.
Master-level students but bachelor's and doctoral students are also encouraged to apply.
The course mainly aims at students from the following universities, but others are encouraged to apply if their university has an agreement with BOKU:
- BOKU,
- Babeș-Bolyai University
- Kaunas University of Technology
B2 English language proof or higher (Common European Framework of Reference)
Deadline to apply
1st May 2024
Application (now open)
BOKU and international students (except from Romania and Lithuania), please fill in the online application: Application Summer Risk Camp 2024
Prepare a short motivation letter (max 1 page), transcript of records, proof you are an enrolled student in your home university, B2 language proof and CV.
If accepted, you can apply for an Erasmus+ mobility scholarship at your home university, please contact your Erasmus office (only international students, NOT for BOKU students).
BOKU students, please also check the information in the course catalogue.
Romanian and Lithuanian students, please contact our partners in your respective universities, see Contacts.
Course contents and Program
The academic part is organised into three topics, and two days are dedicated to each topic. The subjects of Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and plastics and Geo-engineering will be discussed.
The course will have a total of 9 dates. Each day is from 09:00 to 18:00, and evening activities occasionally occur until 20:00. The first academic class is on 6th August 2024, and the last class is on 13th August 2024. 5th August is the welcoming day for other activities and is also mandatory.
Contents
- Concepts of risk and (emerging) risk technologies, ecological vulnerability, pathways to risk
- Introduction to biotechnology
- Introduction to nanotechnology and plastics
- Introduction to geo-engineering
- Prospective technology assessment
- Governance, policy and identified needs regarding the discussed technologies
- Concepts of environmental ethics
More details to come soon
Learning outcomes
- Collaborate in an international environment
- Define concepts of "risk" and risk technologies
- Summarise the current policies, regulations, and needs regarding the discussed technologies.
- Explain the ethical argumentation for using the mentioned technologies
- Communicate scientific results from published papers
- Describe the concepts of prospective technology assessment
Course Schedule
On-site at the BOKU University: 5th - 13th August 2024
Online: 30th July and will last 2 hours, exact time TBD.
Course language
English
Course format
A mix of lectures, group exercises, university visits and intercultural activities
ECTS
4 ECTS
Type of Assessment
Continuous assessment
Costs
The course has no fees, but students would have to secure their own finances for the duration of the course.
Students are highly encouraged to apply for an Erasmus+ mobility with their university; please ask your Erasmus office.
Accommodation
For international students: Pre-booked accommodation; more information to come soon
Health Insurance
Participants are responsible for adequate health insurance during their participation in the course. Please ask your Erasmus office.
Contacts
For scientific questions and course questions
For BOKU students: MSc. Carina Lalyer carina.lalyer(at)boku.ac.at
For Kaunas University of Technology students: Dr Florian Rabitz florian.rabitz(at)ktu.lt
For Babeș-Bolyai University: Adorjan Cristea, PhD adorjan.cristea(at)ubbcluj.ro
For other students whose university has an agreement with BOKU: MSc. Carina Lalyer carina.lalyer(at)boku.ac.at
For administrative questions regarding an Erasmus+ scholarship
Please ask your university's Erasmus/International office. This course is part of an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP).