The winter school will be held from 2 to 6 February 2026 at the Hel Marine Station of the University of Gdańsk in Poland.
Participants will explore the sensitive Baltic Sea ecosystem and examine issues related to coastal development along the Polish coastline.
The winter school at Hel Marine Station is the first of three events connected to the Swedish Institute-financed project 'CoMaDe - Coastal and Marine Development through Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Learning'.
The project aims to strengthen collaboration among students from across the Baltic Sea region and to deepen their understanding of sustainability challenges along the coastline. During the programme, participants will explore local approaches to tackling these challenges and gain knowledge they can apply in their own national and academic contexts.
Participants will take part in workshops, excursions, and lectures covering the following areas:
- Introduction to the Hel Peninsula and the Puck Bay
- Societal Development vs. Biodiversity
- Environmental aspects of area management
- Socio-economic aspects of area management
- Offshore activities – Marine Spatial Planning
A central component of the winter school is the group case study, where students, guided by PhD supervisors, will explore real-world coastal development issues in the Hel region. Through preparatory work, field research, and expert consultations, students will analyse the situation and present their findings on the final day.
Goals of the Event
Participants will deepen their understanding of the Baltic Sea’s environmental and socio-economic importance, gain insight into key environmental indicators, and develop practical skills in interdisciplinary and intercultural collaboration.
Application form for PhD students here. The application deadline is 2 November 2025.
For additional information about the winter school Science by the Coast please visit the BUP website.