The 2026 edition continues the tradition of previous UNIC summer courses conducted in Oulu (2023 and 2024) and Bochum (2025). Organised by the University of Łódź, the course integrates theoretical knowledge, applied workshops, interdisciplinary teamwork, and hands‑on problem‑solving activities with real‑life relevance.
1. Core Thematic Focus of the Summer Course
Recent reports highlight a range of interconnected factors that make migration one of the most pressing challenges facing the European Union today:
- Global displacement is increasing at an unprecedented pace. Armed conflicts, natural disasters, and the growing impacts of climate change continue to force people to move across and within borders. At the same time, processes such as gentrification contribute to internal displacement, reshaping cities and regions across Europe.
- The importance of labour migration is growing.While it plays a crucial role in sustaining European labour markets, it raises complex issues such as brain drain and brain waste. These dynamics are closely linked to ongoing processes of urbanisation and urban transition, as well as to the rise of long-distance and cross-border commuting.
- Unplanned and spontaneous migration flows generate significant social tensions. These include pressure on public services, cultural misunderstandings, and challenges related to social integration. In many contexts, migration is also associated with rising xenophobia, housing market pressures, family separation, and diverse health outcomes affecting both migrants and host communities.
- Migration policies worldwide are becoming increasingly restrictive. In Europe, there is a visible shift away from more open migration approaches associated with the idea of Willkommenskultur, towards more selective, skills-based immigration models similar to those applied in countries such as the United States and Canada.
In this context, the task of the Summer Course students will be to develop practical and policy-oriented solutions that may help regions and cities better cope with the challenges arising from both external and internal migration processes.
2. Participating Universities
- University of Lodz
- University of Oulu
- Ruhr University Bochum
- University of Liège
- University of Zagreb
3. Objectives of the Programme
The programme seeks to develop participants’ interdisciplinary thinking, teamwork skills, creativity, and ability to propose actionable solutions for local governments and communities. Migration as a topic provides a rich and complex context in which the aforementioned skills can be enhanced.
Specific objectives include:
• Strengthening students’ ability to collaborate in multinational groups.
• Developing conflict‑resolution strategies and tools for teamwork.
• Enhancing communication skills in heterogeneous teams.
• Building confidence in co‑creating solutions under time pressure.
• Fostering leadership, negotiation, and group‑decision‑making skills.
• Enhancing understanding of global and regional migration processes.
• Developing the ability to diagnose socio‑economic challenges linked to migration.
• Exploring challenges faced by post‑industrial cities.
• Learning to design policy recommendations and practical interventions for cities.
• Supporting awareness of sustainability and resilience in the context of urban development.
3. Structure of the Course
The course consists of three complementary phases combining online and on‑site formats.
Week 1: Local Workshops (24–28 August 2026)
• Introductory workshops at each partner university.
• Students prepare presentations about their home regions and migration dynamics.
• Rehearsal of presentations.
Week 2: Online Module (31 August – 4 September 2026)
• Daily expert lectures delivered online.
• Workshops on teamwork and conflict resolution.
• Formation of international working groups.
Week 3: On‑Site Module in Łódź (7–11 September 2026)
• Official opening and introduction to local migration challenges in Łódź.
• Group work on designing solutions applicable to Łódź and another UNIC city.
• Field visits (e.g., Księży Młyn, Łódź Fabryczna).
• Final project presentations and feedback session.
4. Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will acquire:
Knowledge:
• Understanding of migration processes at global, regional, and local scales.
• Insight into socio‑economic and demographic consequences of migration.
• Familiarity with concepts of sustainability and resilience in urban contexts.
Skills:
• Ability to work in international interdisciplinary teams.
• Competence in advanced problem‑solving methodologies.
• Skills in preparing and delivering professional presentations.
• Capability to propose innovative and practical solutions for public institutions.
• Comparative analysis of regional policies related to migration.
Social competences:
• Intercultural communication and collaboration.
• Openness to diversity and different perspectives.
• Responsibility in designing socially impactful recommendations.
5. Participants and Recruitment
The course is open to advanced Bachelor and Master students from all UNIC partner universities. Students from all fields of study may apply; however, English proficiency is required. The expected number of participants is 5 students per each of the participating Universities.
Recruitment takes place in January and February 2026. The application deadline is 28 February 2026. Final decisions will be presented by 15 March 2025. Partner universities will manage their local recruitment procedures.
6. Assessment and ECTS credits
Students may earn ECTS credits for participation in line with the requirements of their home institution. Completion of the course requires:
• Active participation in lectures and workshops.
• Group presentations during online and on‑site phases.
• Completion of a final group project with policy recommendations.
7. Funding
The course operates under the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP). Students are eligible for mobility funding from their home universities.
For further details on funding opportunities, please refer to the link below: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/document/erasmus-programme-guide-2025-version-2
8. Contact information:
Interested to join? Please contact your local contact partner:
University of Lodz: Przemysław Włodarczyk (przemyslaw.wlodarczyk@uni.lodz.pl)
University of Oulu: Joona Lohtander (joona.lohtander@oulu.fi)
Ruhr University Bochum:
- Administrative questions (application, funding, etc.): Katharina Haaf (wiwi-exchange-students@rub.de).
- Content-related questions: Chair of Macroeconomics (mak@rub.de)
- Applications submitted via the Moodle course: https://moodle.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/course/view.php?id=64322 (No password is required for enrollment in the Moodle course).
University of Liège:
- Sylvain Marbehant, UNIC Team (sylvain.marbehant@uliege.be)
- Anne Gillet, International relations HEC (anne.gillet@uliege.be)
University of Zagreb: Kosjenka Dumančić (kdumancic@efzg.hr)
