GESA

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

The Global Environments Summer Academy (GESA) takes place annually at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) under the auspices of both the Rachel Carson Center (RCC) and the Global Diversity Foundation (GDF). The Academy is designed to broaden and deepen the knowledge, networking, and communication skills of postgraduate students and professionals who are concerned about human dimensions of environmental challenges.

GESA focuses on human dimensions of global environmental change, ranging from community management practices and institutions to planetary processes. It spans local to global scales in exploring the most critical contemporary environmental issues from the perspective of biocultural diversity studies, environmental history and sustainability science.  Participants gain literacy in policy matters and acquire skills in research design, fieldwork methods and data analysis related to documenting local environmental knowledge and community institutions. Designed for advanced Masters and PhD students, the Academy is highly collaborative and interactive, allowing the international and multidisciplinary group of participants to work closely with faculty and each other.

In promoting a transdisciplinary approach, the course combines a variety of learning modes such as lectures, round-table discussions, small group work, student presentations and hands-on exercises.  GESA is part of the Munich International Summer University and is linked to the Biocultural Diversity Learning Network.