Nature, Society & Psychology of the Climate Crisis

This interdisciplinary CIVIS BIP brings together students and faculty from leading European universities to tackle the climate crisis through the lenses of climate science, social sciences, and psychology.

Hosted by the University of Salzburg, with contributions from Stockholm University and the University of Tübingen, the course is designed for advanced Bachelor’s, Master’s, and early-stage PhD students.

The programme includes three phases:

• Phase 1 (online, April 2026): students acquire foundational knowledge through virtual lectures and self-paced learning;
• Phase 2 (in-Person, 4–8 May 2025): in Salzburg, local and international students engage together in field trips, stakeholder meetings with an industrial company and at a power plant, and team activities;
• Phase 3 (online, May-June 2026): students collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to produce podcasts or videos proposing solutions to the real-world climate challenges they identified with the stake-holders.

Topics include climate modelling, water and energy management, societal adaptation, and psychological barriers to climate action. Students interact with local stakeholders such as Salzburg AG and sustainable industry leaders, applying their knowledge to practical problems.

The course awards 6 ECTS and aligns with CIVIS HUB 1 (Climate, Environment, Energy) and HUB 4 (Cities, Spaces, Mobilities), supporting EU priorities like the European Green Deal and the Digital Education Action Plan.

Main topics addressed

Climate Science Foundations

• Greenhouse effect, sea level rise, extreme weather events
• Climate modeling and Earth system variability

Water and Energy Management

• Hydropower and flood prevention 
• River systems and water-related risks 

Societal Adaptation and Urban Development

• Energy transition and regional planning
• Stakeholder engagement and sustainable industry practices

Psychological Barriers and Climate Action

• Threat perception, anxiety, and defensive responses
• Motivation and behavior change for sustainable consumption

Learning outcomes

• holistic understanding of climate change: gain interdisciplinary insights into the physical, societal, and psychological dimensions of climate challenges;
• transdisciplinary collaboration skills: learn to work effectively in diverse teams across disciplines and cultures;
• practical application of knowledge: apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems through stakeholder engagement and service learning;
• effective science communication: develop skills to communicate complex ideas clearly via podcasts and videos aimed at public audiences;
• digital literacy and teamwork: enhance proficiency in digital collaboration tools and virtual teamwork;
• critical thinking and problem solving: tackle climate-related challenges using evidence-based, interdisciplinary approaches.