Program Overview

Introduction to the Bergen Summer Research School

The Bergen Summer Research School is a premier academic program that brings together 100 PhD students and researchers from around the world to collaborate on solutions to major global challenges. The program focuses on themes such as climate change, inequality, health, and governance, with a specific emphasis on "Ocean Expectations" in 2026.

About the Research School

• Place: Bergen, Norway
• Time: 1-11 June 2026
• Application deadline: 1 February 2026

Program Details

As a participant, you will receive:

• Two weeks of intensive research training with international experts
• A global network of PhD students and researchers
• Interdisciplinary methods for addressing global challenges
• The opportunity to develop policy briefs on concrete issues

Ocean Expectations Theme

The Ocean Expectations theme responds to urgent global challenges related to climate change, food security, energy transitions, and cultural engagement with the sea. The program aims to prepare participants to meet society's multifaceted expectations of the ocean: as a source of nourishment, resilience, justice, and inspiration.

Parallel Courses

The program offers five parallel courses:

• Accounting for sustainability: water and climate
• Ocean productivity and seafood in a changing climate
• Ocean desires, ocean diversities
• Diverse ways of sensing, knowing, and valuing the ocean
• The ocean and planetary health justice (cancelled)

Mandatory Courses

In addition to the parallel courses, participants will take two mandatory courses:

• Systems thinking and creative problem-solving
• Good practices for authorship and publishing in the AI age (TBA)

Addressing Global Challenges

The Bergen Summer Research School tackles some of the most pressing challenges facing the world, shaped by Bergen's best research groups. Each summer, the interdisciplinary research school offers five to six intensive courses led by experts from various institutions, including the University of Bergen, Chr. Michelsen Institute, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, NHH Norwegian School of Economics, and NORCE.

Leadership and Administration

• Sehoya Harris Cotner: Scientific director 2026
• Howaida Faisal Abdelrahman: Administrative coordinator

Program Overview

The Bergen Summer Research School is a permanent research school with annual funding from the University of Bergen, organized through the university's strategic mechanism on Global Challenges. The program fosters lasting connections between researchers from around the world and has produced many former participants who now lead research institutions or work in public administration or international organizations.