Summer School - The Precautionary Principle: Governance of Innovation and Innovations in Governance, 26 June

The purpose of this course is to explore challenges and possible ways forward for the effective and appropriate application of the precautionary principle in sustainability governance. It will bring together a solid and diverse group of scholars and practitioners with expertise on the precautionary principle, risk assessment and management, environment and health research, science and technology studies, the governance of innovation, environmental governance, and long term transitions to sustainability. The course is designed as a strategic knowledge and experience sharing course at the intersection between a research-oriented course and a professional development course, dedicated to collaborative exploration and learning. It will provide intensive research training, but also allow for policy discussions in a variety of sector and contexts and, through a knowledge co-creation approach, help to identify and find solutions to course-related issues in the participants’ research, policy or business application fields.

This course is the second edition of the highly successful 2015 SUN course on the same topic. The faculty is composed of renowned and high profile scholars and practitioners with broad experience in interdisciplinary research and integrative policy-making. The team includes the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, the former Senior Advisor of EEA and 'Late Lessons' project leader, the Chair of the Scientific Committee of EEA, as well as professors from renowned Universities and Business Schools. Participants will come from a variety of backgrounds (including researchers as well as practitioners from public bodies, NGOs and business). The Course will give them a unique opportunity to (i) increase their theoretical and practical expertise on issues surrounding the precautionary principle; to (ii) train in inter- and transdisciplinary research and integrative policy praxis; and (iii) build a strong network with other participants and faculty.

Rationale:

The precautionary principle is a key principle of environmental governance. It features prominently in many international environmental policy processes, texts and treaties and in national strategies and laws of many countries.

It is one of the four environment principles in the Treaty of the European Union, in which article 191,§2 states that Union policy on the environment "shall be based on the precautionary principle and on the principles that preventive action should be taken, that environmental damage should as a priority be rectified at source and that the polluter should pay". Together these 4 principles –precaution, prevention, polluter-pays and rectification of damage at source– are central to managing risk to the environment, human health and well-being. The most problematic of these principles is without doubt the precautionary principle.

The precautionary principle poses challenges to environmental science, environmental governance and praxis because it applies to 'situations of scientific complexity, uncertainty and ignorance, where there may be a need to act in order to avoid, or reduce, potentially serious or irreversible threats to health and/or the environment, using an appropriate strength of scientific evidence, and taking into account the pros and cons of action and inaction and their distribution' (see the working definition of the precautionary principle proposed by the European Environment Agency – EEA 2013, p. 681). As a tool to manage risks, uncertainties and ignorance in complex social ecological systems, it is a core element of governance for a transition towards sustainability.

The principle is subject to a variety of interpretations, at the heart of major controversies and the target of serious attacks, sometimes because of misinterpretations, sometimes because of the vested interests it may be thought to disturb.

As shown by the seminal work of the European Environment Agency in the two 'Late Lessons from Early Warnings' reports (EEA 2001, 2013) there are still many open and pressing questions around the precautionary principle and its application, ways of doing research, science-policy-society interfaces, the governance of innovations and risk governance in the framework of sustainability transitions. And, in the current political context, notably in the European Union, there is a need for intellectual rigour around the concept, both from a research and a praxis point of view.

Target group

Applications are invited from researchers (advanced PhD students, postdocs) and practitioners from policy-making institutions, NGOs, business and international organizations. Undergraduates will not be considered.

Pre-requisites

Participants to be selected to the school shall meet the following criteria:

- hold positions at universities, research institutions, consultancies, business, relevant public bodies and administrations (including the European Institutions) or a research-oriented NGO;

- have MSc or PhD degree or equivalent and at least two years of research or professional experience or/and teaching at graduate level;

- be fluent in English;

- have demonstrable achievements in research or in praxis;

- demonstrate good communication skills;

- demonstrate originality and motivation in their application letter.

Language requirement

The language of instruction is English, thus all applicants have to demonstrate a strong command of spoken and written English to be able to participate actively in discussions at seminars and workshops. Some of the shortlisted applicants may be contacted for a telephone interview.

Important dates and deadlines

Important Dates and Deadlines

Application deadlines:

February 14, 2016

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ADR-Mediation
International Business Negotiation
Cities and Science
Geospatial Technologies and Remote Sensing for Monitoring SDGS
Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction
Innovative Financing for Education
In the Labyrinth of National Identity
Matter, Mind and Consciousness
International Business Negotiation
Political Psychology
Screened Memories
Strategic Human Rights Litigation
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Understanding Communication
What Makes Us Human

February 20, 2016

Green Industry

February 29, 2016

Constitution-building in Africa

March 1, 2016

Precautionary Principle

March 15, 2016

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March 31, 2016

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General dates

Email notification about the decision: mid-April - mid-May
Participants confirm acceptance and housing needs: in two weeks after receipt of the acceptance notification
Activation of the course-specific e-learning sites with readings and course outlines: end of April - end of May
Early-bird deadline of tuition payment for fee-paying participants: April 30th
Tuition payment deadline for fee-paying participants: May 28th
Participants needing a visa reserve tickets, confirm exact travel dates to SUN; SUN Office sends out original invitation letter and room reservation for visa application: 6 weeks prior to arrival
Participants submit visa applications: 30 days prior to arrival
Participant arrivals, hotel check-in, and registration: one day before the course starts
Orientation session at CEU: on the first day of the course

Course-specific dates

The "Course-specific dates" of the following courses are different from the general SUN dates. Click on the course names to see their specific deadlines.

Green Industry

File Attachments:

Timeline

How To Apply

Please read the following directions carefully.

Below is the list of the documents you need to prepare or arrange for submission:

Completed online SUN Application Form
Full curriculum vitae or resume, includingteaching and research projects, list of publications, if any, and two references with contact emails
Motivation Letter (max 1 page) - your reasons for taking part in this summer school
One Writing Sample in English (max. 20 pages)

Optional attachments:

Presentation of the project you are currently working on and would like to present at the summer school
Letters of recommendation

A cover letter (max. 1 page) to support application for financial aid (mandatory for those who wish to receive financial aid)

Online Application Form

SUN's Online Application Form, delivered by Embark, enables the online submission of the application form itself as well as all other relevant documentation, including CV's and resumes, letter of recommendation, statements of purpose and application essays (such as research proposal, case study, paper proposal, writing samples, academic records, etc.), eliminating all paper mailing to the SUN Office.

In addition, applicants will be able to use this system to track their progress and learn the outcome of their admissions evaluation online. Admissions decisions will be available to applicants as soon as they are entered into the system.

Please note that you can only apply to one course.

The application form is password-protected.

a) In case you have started an application for our program in previous years, you can use your old login and password and can log in as a "Returning Embark User" (right-hand side of the page). In case you cannot remember your old password, click on the "Forget your password?" link.
b) In case you have not started an application before, please register first in the "New User?" section (left-hand side of the page). For registration please click on "Create an Account" and provide the requested information. Embark will send you your password by email and then you can log in and start your application, this time already as a returning user.

Further user's instructions for the online application are included in the form itself.

Should you have questions regarding the application form, check the relevant Frequently Asked Questions.

Full curriculum vitae or resume, including teaching and research projects, list of publications, if any, and two references with contact emails

Please upload your Curriculum Vitae or resume, including teaching and research projects, list of publications, if any, and two references with contact emails.

Motivation Letter (max 1 page)

In the Motivation Letter please describe your reasons for taking part in this summer school.

One Writing Sample in English (max. 20 pages)

Please upload an English-language document related to thecourse theme. This could be a published piece (e.g. an article) or an unpublished work in progress.

Optional attachments:

Presentation of the project you are currently working on and would like to present at the summer school
Letters of recommendation
A cover letter (max. 1 page) to support application for financial aid (mandatory for those who wish to receive financial aid)

Applicants who wish to apply for financial aid are expected to upload a cover letter in which they specify their reasons.

All application materials must be submitted electronically with the online application form. CEU does not accept application documents by e-mail or fax. Candidates who may experience difficulties with the online submission of their documents should contact the SUN Office.

CEU does not return application documents, or copies thereof under any circumstances. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Inquiries

If you need help or more information during the application process, please feel free to contact the SUN staff:

E-mail for inquiry and correspondence: summeru@ceu.edu
Tel: (36-1) 327-3811
Fax: (36-1) 327-3124
Skype (free Internet telephone): ceu-sun

Notification

The SUN Office will notify applicants about the selection results around the end of April. Please check the 'Important course dates' section on the relevant course web sites for earlier or later planned notification deadlines. The final decision is not open to appeal.

Financial Aid

As the number of scholarships available is limited,funding offered by institutions or individuals is welcome so that we can invite more well qualified applicants. When choosing the financial aid package, please consider if you or your institution can contribute to the program expenses. Faculty and Ph.D. students are advised to approach their home departments for travel grants; researchers may have research grants available which can cover their participation; professionals may turn to their employers to fund their training at SUN. You can also consult some non-CEU funding opportunities listed in our FAQ section. While selection of applicants will be based on the academic merit of the applications, those willing to bear the participation costs fully or partially will be preferred in case of equally strong applications.

Financial aid is available in the following categories:

tuition waiver
accommodation grant
travel grant (full or partial)
Participants from Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and Mongolia, as well as those coming from emerging countries worldwide can apply for financial aid in all categories listed above.

Participants from developed countries are expected to pay tuition fee. However, there are a limited number of tuition waivers available on a competitive basis. Those who wish to apply for a tuition waiver should send a separate cover letter specifying their reasons.
Participants are NOT eligible to receive financial aid if they attended two CEU funded Summer University courses within a four-year period.
In case an applicant is accepted to two courses, which is only possible if the two courses are run consecutively, financial aid is only available for attending one course.

SUN Packages

All packages will include the following:

a minimum of 24 tuition hours per week
a certificate of attendance
access to course E-learning page (with readings, assignments, etc.)
access to CEU facilities (Library, IT services, sports centre including the use of the indoor swimming pool, tennis courts)
some social and cultural events depending on the course schedules (e.g. welcome and farewell reception / outings /fieldtrips / film screenings, etc.)

Fee-Paying Package

Financial aid: N/A
Participant's own contribution: tuition, travel, accommodation, health insurance and living expenses

Payment deadlines

April 30(Early Bird fee)
May 28 (Full tuition fee)

Cancellation Policy

In the event of cancellation, CEU will refund the tuition fee as follows:

Before May 28 - CEU will fully refund the tuition fee.
Between May 28th and 14 days prior to the course starting - 80% of the tuition fee will be refunded.
Within 14 days of the course starting - no refund for tuition fees will be given.

Financial Aid packages

Tuition Waiver
Financial aid: tuition fee waived
Participant's own contribution: health insurance, travel, accommodation and living expense.
Partial SUN Scholarship
Financial aid: tuition fee waived and free accommodation in a double room
Participant's own contribution:health insurance, travel and living expenses
Full SUN Scholarship
Financial aid:tuition fee waived; free accommodation in a double room and a full or partial travel grant
Participant’s own contribution: health insurance and living expenses.

The Full SUN Scholarship includes a full or partial travel grant which can be applied for on a competitive basis and will be available in a limited number. Visa costs and short domestic trips are not reimbursed. The citizens of the following countries are not eligible to apply for a travel grant: Bosnia, Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the western part of Ukraine and qualify therefore for a Partial SUN Scholarship.

This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:

http://www.summer.ceu.hu/precautionary-2016

Summer School - The Precautionary Principle: Governance of Innovation and Innovations in Governance, 26 June - 2 July 2016, Hungary