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 atevents@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,

Filipa Brandao
IAPSS Seasonal School Coordinator

Florian Zabel
Head of IAPSS Event Department