We are tremendously excited to launch the third annual International School on Climate Mobilities, co-hosted by the Centre for Human Rights Law, the Law, Environment and Development Centre and the Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies at SOAS University of London in summer 2024.
Location: Date:
Online (via zoom) June 3 – July 10, 2024
Applications for the 2024 ISCM open on March 15, 2024
Application deadline: April 5, 2024 at 11:59pm BST
Brief Overview
This year, the ISCM will welcome a maximum of 100 participants to enroll in the summer school. The 2024 programme will bring together more than forty leading experts to deliver lectures, convene rigorous seminars and share their first-hand experience of the impacts of climate change and related displacement over the course of six weeks.
Placing questions of differential vulnerability and environmental justice at the center, the ISCM unpacks topical themes related to climate and environmental (im)mobilities throughout weekly lecture and seminar sessions.
Course Structure & Key Dates
All ISCM sessions take place online via zoom.
We will host two-hour lecture sessions on Mondays and seminar sessions on Wednesdays over the course of the six-week programme. All lecture sessions will take place at the following time:
Lectures: Mondays between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
To improve accessibility across time zones and encourage collaborative discussion in smaller groups, this year the ISCM will host two seminar sessions corresponding to the weekly topic based on the geographic location of our participants at the following times:
Seminar 1 Asia & the Pacific: Wednesdays between 8:00 – 10:00 BST / 19:00 – 21:00 FJT
Seminar 2 Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East: Wednesdays between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Week 1: Multiple and Complex Drivers and Agency in Climate-related (Im)mobilities
Lecture – Monday, June 3rd between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Seminar 1 – Wednesday, June 5th between 8:00 – 10:00 BST / 19:00 – 21:00 FJT
Seminar 2 – Wednesday, June 5th between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Week 2: Environmental (Im)mobilities, Health, Food and Livelihood Security
Lecture – Monday, June 10th between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Seminar 1 – Wednesday, June 12th between 8:00 – 10:00 BST / 19:00 – 21:00 FJT
Seminar 2 – Wednesday, June 12th between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Week 3: Climate Justice: Unpacking Coloniality, Gender, Race, Class, Indigeneity and Climate Migration
Lecture – Monday, June 17th between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Seminar 1 – Wednesday, June 19th between 8:00 – 10:00 BST / 19:00 – 21:00 FJT
Seminar 2 – Wednesday, June 19th between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Week 4: Protection Politics: Climate Migration, Human Rights and Refugee Law
Lecture – Monday, June 24th between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Seminar 1 – Wednesday, June 26th between 8:00 – 10:00 BST / 19:00 – 21:00 FJT
Seminar 2 – Wednesday, June 26th between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Week 5: From Structural Violence to ‘Resource Wars’: The Climate Change, Conflict and Displacement Nexus
Lecture – Monday, July 1st between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Seminar 1 – Wednesday, July 3rd between 8:00 – 10:00 BST / 19:00 – 21:00 FJT
Seminar 2 – Wednesday, July 3rd between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Week 6: Building Resilience in the Context of Environmental (Im)mobilities: Mitigating Risks, Enhancing Adaptative Capacity and Addressing Loss & Damage
Lecture – Monday, July 8th between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Seminar 1 – Wednesday, July 10th between 8:00 – 10:00 BST / 19:00 – 21:00 FJT
Seminar 2 – Wednesday, June 10th between 17:00 – 19:00 BST
Beyond the Classroom
At the International School on Climate Mobilities (ISCM), we believe in extending learning opportunities beyond the classroom setting, including through a series of side-events and an optional Capstone Project.
Side-events: Our side-events, conducted in collaboration with various organizations and universities, focus on career paths and relevant topics not addressed in the core ISCM program. Designed to deepen understanding, foster networking, and open up new avenues for professional development in the growing sector of climate mobility, some of these side events are open to non-ISCM participants as well, broadening the impact and inclusivity of our initiatives.
Capstone Project: In 2024, the ISCM Capstone Project invites participants to apply academic learning to real-world challenges, enhancing their skills and making a tangible contribution to the field of climate mobility. This year, alongside research and policy analysis, we’re broadening our scope to include creative and innovative approaches. The projects will be designed to meet the needs of our partner organizations, ensuring our efforts are relevant and impactful. A selected group of ISCM participants will work in small groups with the partnering organization. Participants will be expected to commit 15-20 hours in July and August, working in teams to deliver outputs that not only contribute to the climate mobility sector but also enrich their professional and personal development.
We will announce our partnering organizations for the 2024 Capstone at the beginning of the ISCM program, followed by a call for expressions of interest for participants. We look forward to seeing the innovative and impactful work that will emerge from this year’s collaborations.
Who should apply?
The ISCM welcomes students, recent graduates, academics, practitioners and change-makers from all corners of the world who are keen to unpack how we problematize and respond to climate and environmental-related (im)mobilities in the twenty-first century. We welcome participants at different stages of their research, advocacy and career journeys and encourage diversity – across geographies and disciplines.
We encourage participation amongst change-makers who are passionate about advancing resilience to climate change and environmental shocks through disaster risk reduction and sustainable development, as well as those who champion human rights-based protection for those who move and those who stay to cope with the intensifying impacts of climate change, disasters and environmental degradation.
If you are passionate about researching the nuances of climate-induced migration, displacement and immobility, influencing new laws and policies, providing life-saving assistance in the humanitarian sector or engaging in sustainable development programming on climate change and migration, this course is for you!
Eligibility
To be considered, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Postgraduate student or recent graduate of a postgraduate degree program
- Academic (pursuing or holding a PhD)
- Practitioner (working professional)
Note that exceptional applications from undergraduate students or recent graduates of undergraduate degree programmes may apply and be invited to enroll.
Language requirements
Applicants must have advanced English language skills to participate.
Attendance, Participation and Engagement Expectations
- We expect our participants to attend the lecture and one of the seminar sessions every Monday and Wednesday respectively for the duration of the six-week program.
- ISCM participants will be expected to come prepared to seminar sessions each week by completing reading assignments and engaging through our online discussion forum.
- We expect our participants to adhere to all ISCM Community Ground Rules for an Inclusive & Respectful Classroom Space, which includes treating each other with dignity and respect; listening to and learning from participants’ points of view while recognizing that there may be difference of opinions and disagreement; respecting peers and instructors when constructively critiquing their ideas and listening to understand; keeping discussion and comments on topic and relevant to key themes of the ISCM; and a zero tolerance policy on the use of inflammatory, offensive or profane language.
Program Fees & Financial Assistance
While we wish that we could offer the ISCM free of charge, a lot of hard work goes into making the ISCM possible, and we believe it is important to support the team who makes it all happen!
The ISCM will be offered at an accessible rate to all participants. Selected applicants will be expected to confirm their enrollment and pay the respective fee shortly after receiving an enrollment offer.
The program fees have been set at the following categorical rates:
- Student rate: $500.00 USD – applies to postgraduate students, recent graduates of a postgraduate degree, and undergraduate students or recent graduates in exceptional circumstances
- Academic rate: $750.00 USD – applies to those pursuing or who have obtained a PhD
- Practitioner rate: $1,000.00 USD – applies to working professionals
Financial Assistance
We are proud to offer around 30 percent of ISCM spots at fee-waived or reduced rates to exceptional applicants who may not otherwise be able to attend. Applicants will have the opportunity to indicate their interest in obtaining a fee-waived or reduced rate spot to attend the ISCM through the online application form.
How To Apply
Applications will only be accepted through the 2024 ISCM Online Application Form.
What you can expect on the online application form:
- Provide general information (e.g. name, email address etc.)
- Confirm they meet all eligibility criteria and understand our attendance, participation and engagement expectations
- Comprehensively answer questions about their motivation and interest to enroll at the ISCM and share a short vision statement.
We will assess our applicants on the following criteria:
- Meets eligibility requirements
- Demonstrable interest in researching and/or advocating around issues addressed at the ISCM
- Indication that participating at the ISCM will aid the applicant in (future) research and advocacy pursuits and career development
- Indication that the applicant will be actively engaged during ISCM sessions and seminar discussions, contributing to a respectful and enriching dialogical forum
Application process:
- 15 March 2024 – Applications open
- 05 April 2024 – Application deadline
- Late April – Notification of application outcome
- Late April – Mid-May – Enrollment & Fee collection period
Application deadline: Friday, April 5th 2024 (11:59pm BST)
2024 ISCM Online Application Form: Apply Here!
Get in touch
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll get back to you soon.
