19/02/2026 | Join our Master Lecture in the Summer Term 2026: “Building Bridges on Rising Waters: Climate Change and International Disaster Management”
Are you passionate about addressing the global challenges posed by climate change and disaster management?
Then join our specialized Master's Lecture in the Summer Term 2026 "Building Bridges on Rising Waters" and delve into the critical intersection of natural hazards, risks, climate change and international disaster management. Our expert-led lectures from Justus Liebig University Giessen, Philipps University Marburg (Germany), University of Limoges (France) and from University of Calabria (Italy) will equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand some of the complexities of this rapidly evolving field.
The accelerating changes in the global climate are linked to a rise in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, and even earthquakes. These challenges transcend national borders, pose serious risks to societies, and give rise to new socio-political, economic, legal, and technological questions, as well as pressing transformation needs, necessitating a re-evaluation of disaster risk management strategies. Given the relevance of this topic, this lecture offers interdisciplinary perspectives on disaster risk (reduction) management.
The lecture is structured into three thematic blocs, aligned with the disaster risk cycle. In the first bloc “(Natural) Hazards, risks and disasters”, you learn more about the governance of risks and the development of disasters. This bloc focuses on water-related risks in general, climate change scenarios and the political, economic and legal understanding of risks and disasters. In the second bloc “Prevention, mitigation and preparedness”, climate challenges are analysed from economic and engineering perspectives. This bloc highlights (green) financial policies and seismic risk prevention. In the third bloc “Response and recovery”, several disaster case studies are discussed and the impacts of disasters on food systems, pro-social preferences and community resilience are examined. The lecture combines sessions from the following disciplines: Political Science, Economics, Geography, Engineering, Law.
The lecture is integrated in the Virtual International Programme (VIP) of JLU, the Virtual European Exchange Programme (VEEP) and the EUPeace European Track Certification Programme. If you study at a partner university and want to apply for this lecture, please apply via the VIP & VEEP online application form and send your application form, proof of enrolment, and a transcript of records to the VIP mobility office. If you study at JLU, you can register for the lecture by March 2026.
- External Application: Apply for the lecture via the Virtual International Programme (VIP) by 28 February 2026.
- Internal Application: Registration opens by March 2026 on stud.IP.
· Study Period: 13/04/2026 - 17/07/2026
· Mode and Time: Asynchronous (recorded lectures)
· Online Tool for Teaching: stud.IP, ILIAS, BigBlueButton
· Language of Instruction: English (prerequisites: English B2)
· Examination Format: n.a. - no examination
· ECTS without examination: 3 ECTS
· Responsible lecturers (JLU): Prof. Dr. Helmut Breitmeier, Prof. Dr. Sandra Schwindenhammer, Katrin Strobehn, M.Sc.
You can find further information and the lecture plan on the website or contact Katrin Strobehn in case of any questions. The project is generously funded by the EUPeace Fund (European Union).