IAPSS SUMMER SCHOOL 2015
“The Politics of Mega-catastrophes: From Regional Challenges to
International Security”

Organized by the International Association for Political Science
Students (IAPSS)
in cooperation with Venice International University (VIU)

on San Servolo Island (Venice), Italy

August 11th – 20th August 20st 2015
(Arrival Day: August 10th, Departure Day: August 21st)

Deadline for Application: *March 31st, 2015*

The International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS)
herewith calls for applications for its Summer School 2015 at Venice
International University.

THE THEME:

There is a rapidly growing amount literature in social sciences that
explores the emergence, impacts, and responses to a diverse number of
mega-catastrophes. As the world that humankind lives in becomes to be
portrayed as insecure by design, one in which everyone is vulnerable,
the pre-eminence of addressing the study of catastrophes becomes
undeniable. Hence, the study of catastrophe, affected population and
surroundings entails not only a high degree of familiarity with
diverse theory, but also a great level of creativity and sensitivity
to acknowledge the implication of different methodological choices.
Venice may be the perfect place to conduct this school. Living with
the constant menace of another flood, as the sea levels keep on
rising, it has permit Venetians and their local authorities to
develops a strong sense of disaster prevention and resilience. The
school promises to use this as a way to improve the
multidisciplinarity and empirical understanding of thematic.

HOW TO APPLY?

Students from all levels (Bachelor, Masters, PhD) are invited to
submit their application. The selection process will be held on a
rolling basis and notifications regarding selection will provided
within 72h from application. As places will quickly fill up, we
recommend you to apply as early as possible.

Individuals interested in participating in the IAPSS Summer School
2015 are requested to submit a written application containing (1) a
short CV (max. two pages, without photograph), (2) a letter of
motivation (1 - 2 pages) and (3) chose a preferred topic from the
below provided range of topics, to be presented during the IAPSS
Summer School 2015. In addition to the short presentations required,
there will also be the possibility to publish your paper in a special
issue of the IAPSS journal POLITIKON (optional). The application form
is available here:http://www.iapss.org/events/summer-school/summer-school-2015-application-form/

THE ADDRESSED TOPIC ARE:

Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect? Cooperation and
Intervention in Catastrophes
Defining and Understanding Risk and Societal Security
Resilient Studies and a Society Insecure by Design
Post-Political Approaches in Disaster Practices

Pandemics and Public Health in a Globalized World
Local, Regional and National Approaches to Environmental Catastrophe Scenarios
Displaced Population and International Migration: A Pressing Problem
Post-Disaster Recovery, Humanitarian Relief and the International
Development Business
The Politics of Reconstruction and Urbanism

The deadline for application is set to be *March 31th, 2015*.

Based on your preferred choice of the topic, 9 panels will be formed.
During the IAPSS Summer School 2015 all participants will work further
on their individual topics, improved by the lectures provided and

discussion among peers, while receiving support from workshop
conductors. In this manner, the very topic will be covered by at least
one lecture and in discussions with experts from academia. Next to
lectures and discussion sessions, daily workshops separated in
beginners and advanced level dealing with the research methods needed
in order to support and sustain your argument(s) and perspective(s)
over the chosen topic for your presentation.

THE LOCATION

The IAPSS Summer School 2015 will take place at the stunning location
of the Venice International University campus on the Island of San
Servolo. The Island is an oasis in a unique urban setting, 10 minutes
by boat from Piazza San Marco. Students can study, work, and relax in
a peaceful park spread across 12 scenic acres with a panoramic view of
Venice. In addition to this, students will have an extraordinary
opportunity to study under conditions that are significantly different
from their normal day-to-day studying environment. More
at:http://www.univiu.org

KEY INFORMATION

Dates:
Arrival: Monday, August 10th
Programme: Tuesday, August 11st - Thursday, 20th August
Departure: Friday, August 21th

Costs: IAPSS events are designed to be socially, culturally,
religiously and politically inclusive by bringing students of
political science and related disciplines from various academic
backgrounds, political contexts, level of studies, age and gender
together. This aims to create an interactive and multidisciplinary
space of social and academic debate and interaction. Taking into
account global income disparities, the IAPSS Summer School 2015 seeks
to offer a student-friendly, low-cost participation fee of *429,00
EUR*.

This includes access to all lectures, workshops and social events,
lunch on school days, all Summer School materials, a personal IAPSS
Summer School 2015 participation kit, and an official Certificate of
Participation. The fee has to be transferred in advance in order to
confirm your participation, but only after you have been notified on
successful selection.

Further we recommend consulting with your university/academic
institution for individual financial support for participation and
travel costs. Also, a range of foundations and academic institutions
offer grants and scholarships for seasonal schools.

FURTHER REMARKS:

Similarly to most other seasonal schools, accommodation and travel
expenses are not included in the participation fee. In consequence,
please note that you will have to arrange transportation to and from
the Island of San Servolo by yourself, and that IAPSS does not cover
travel expenses of public transport (including the use of ferries) in
Venice. While tickets for museums and cultural venues will be
provided, the tickets for public transportation will be bought
individually. We recommend to purchase a week pass enabling
participants to use all public transport within the Venice
municipality (includes the Island of San Servolo).

Schengen visa fees are not covered by IAPSS. We are happy to provide
you with a personalized visa invitation letter on the basis of a
completed registration (requires payment) which you can use for your
visa application at the Italian Embassy (or its representative) in
your country of residence. Contact us in case you wish to be provided
with a visa invitation letter at events@iapss.org.

IAPSS MEMBERSHIP:

Please note that IAPSS membership is required in order to participate
in the IAPSS Winter School 2015. IAPSS membership comes at only 15 EUR
(for citizens of Europe incl. Russia and Turkey, the United States,
Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore
and Malaysia) or 10 EUR (for all other countries) a year and offers
you a wide range of benefits, including priority access to IAPSS
Conferences, IAPSS Delegations, IAPSS Seasonal Schools and IAPSS Study
Trips as well as the opportunity to participate in IAPSS’ political
science journals POLITIKON, Encuentro Latino Americano (ELA) and the
international affairs blog A Different View. Also, members receive the
bi-monthly IAPSS News & Opportunities condensing political science
opportunities such as internships, jobs, conference calls and more.
Please consult our website (www.iapss.org) for more information.

Do you wish to get comprehensive and interdisciplinary insights into
the politics of mega-catastrophes? If the answer is yes, then apply
for the IAPSS Summer School 2015 in Venice – until March 31st!

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU ON SAN SERVOLO ISLAND!

In case of any further question or inquiry, do not hesitate to contact
us at: summerschool@iapss.org.

Kind regards, On behalf of,
Filipa Brandao Florian Zabel
IAPSS Seasonal School Coordinator Head of IAPSS Event Department