DLGS Summer School

Overview

In 2026, the DLGS Summer School will take place on 22 September as part of the 4th IOER Conference, “Space & Transformation". The event aims to further explore the relations between digitalisation and transformative governance in research, policy and practice with a view to the diverse urban and regional sustainability innovations urgently required. The DLGS Summer School is dedicated to the discussion of current PhD research, peer networking, and training of professional skills.

Format of the DLGS Summer School

• PhD reflexive presentations: Each PhD candidate receives a 15-minute slot to provide a concise insight into their work. To enhance the benefit of the feedback, presenters are encouraged to include self-reflective questions in their talk. Up to three PhD candidates will be grouped into 90-minute sessions and receive comments from senior researchers and international experts in attendance. 

• Moderation: IOER Researchers Dr. Alejandro de Castro Mazarro, Dr. Riyan Habeeb, Dr. Neelakshi Joshi, Dr. Jon Morris, Dr. Subhashree Nath, Dr. Raghid Shehayeb and Dr. Sujit Kumar Sikder will moderate the individual panels.

• Expert feedback: Dr. Alexey Alekseenko (UNU Resource Nexus), Prof. Martin Behnisch (IOER/ TUD), Prof. Serena Coetzee (UNU Resource Nexus), Prof. Ursula Eicker (Concordia University), Prof. Artem Korzhenevych (IOER/ TUD), Dr. habil. Regine Ortlepp (IOER), Dr. Christoph Woiwode (IOER), and Prof. Marc Wolfram (IOER/ TUD) will provide expert feedback on the presentations. 

• Training workshop: Prof. Sarah Giest (Leiden University) will lead a graduate training workshop under the heading “From Research to Policy: Navigating Collaboration in Practice.” The interactive session will explore how academics can establish and sustain productive relationships with government stakeholders. While collaboration with public authorities is increasingly encouraged, it often involves navigating substantial differences in institutional cultures, timelines, and incentives. Drawing on experiences from collaborations with local, regional, and national governments, the session will discuss practical strategies for managing expectations around funding, timing, and outputs, and for building trust over time.