20–24 July 2026 | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Summer School “Environmental Justice in Theory and Practice” will take place from 20–24 July 2026 at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The course will be hosted by Ina Möller and Marije Schaafsma and is aimed at Master’s and PhD students as well as early-career professionals with an interest in environmental justice.

Across the world, the most vulnerable communities are disproportionately affected by the adverse consequences of global environmental change. Policies and practices aimed at mitigation and adaptation often have highly uneven impacts. These inequalities are further exacerbated by limited voice and agency, as well as insufficient recognition of diverse worldviews and practices. While calls for environmental justice are becoming increasingly prominent, there is ongoing debate about what environmental justice entails and how it should be implemented in practice.

This one-week course introduces participants to environmental justice from a range of theoretical perspectives and connects these approaches to concrete case studies and real-world struggles. Topics include:

• Climate change (SDG 13)
• Marine and terrestrial ecosystem conservation (SDGs 14 & 15)
• Urban sustainability (SDG 11)

Lecturers will provide input on key concepts, methods, and empirical developments in the field. Guest speakers from practice will demonstrate how environmental justice is operationalized, fostering discussion on the relationship between theory and practice. Participants will also have the opportunity to apply course insights to cases of environmental injustice or environmental justice movements of their choice.

Application & Deadlines

• Final application deadline: 1 May 2026
• Early bird discount: €50 for applications completed before 31 March 2026
• Equal Access Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships covering full tuition and accommodation are available. Applications close on 31 March 2026 (23:59 CET) or once 150 scholarship applications have been received — whichever comes first.

Further information on the programme, fees, and application process is available on the official Summer School website.