UNITAR Online Catalogue
CIFAL Surrey - ACCESS Summer School 2025: Fostering Collaborative Research
People
CIFAL Surrey
Background
The purpose of the event was to bring together a diverse group of about 30 people to take part in our third residential ACCESS Summer School. Delegates were mainly in their early career or mid career stage, working in a range of sectors, including charities, public sector, commercial and academia.
Event Objectives
Summer School 2025 focused on fostering collaborative research, providing a relaxed and friendly environment in which to:
- Build relationships across sectors
- Develop and practice skills for collaboration
- Scope collaborative research ideas
Learning Objectives
Event was focused on professional development via self-reflection, peer-based learning, and discussions with experts on three main learning outcomes:
- Nature and biodiversity
- Circular economies
- Healthy cities
Content and Structure
Interactive programme across 3 days, designed to support networking and peer-based learning.
Session formats:
- Some sessions were speaker-led, with a short presentation from speakers followed by interactive tasks (e.g., discuss case studies, reflect on an issue raised in the presentation)
- Some sessions involved small group work, examining barriers and opportunities for collaborative working
Discussions across the programme were centred around three main themes:
- Nature and biodiversity
- Circular economies
- Healthy cities
Methodology
Face-to-face delivery of programme in a residential ‘retreat-style’ setting.
Targeted Audience
UK-based researchers and practitioners working in any sector, who use/apply/conduct environmental social science