BIP Sustainable Futures: Eco-Fiction and the Power of Imagination

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Overview
Application Deadline 2026-03-14
Programme description

This Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) invites students to explore the intersections between literature, ecology, climate science, and sustainability.

Through the use of eco-fiction and speculative narratives as “thought laboratories”, students will learn the power of language and story to imagine possible, probable, and desirable futures shaped by climate change and societal transformation. Bringing together critical theory, creative writing, and participatory dialogue, the BIP offers hands-on collaboration in an international, interdisciplinary setting. Staff and students will develop their skills in pedagogic and teaching methods as well as how to lead interdisciplinary courses with a focus on peer-to-peer learning and the involvement of authors and other practitioners. These skills are transferable to participants’ own teaching and can support the training of other educations at their respective universities.

Teaching hours in virtual mode 40.0
Teaching hours in presence mode 60.0
Learning outcomes

* Critically analyse eco-literature as a tool for environmental education and awareness.
* Apply speculative fiction methods to explore climate change scenarios and sustainability transformations.
* Demonstrate collaborative competencies in international, interdisciplinary teams.
* Produce creative and critical outputs (stories, essays, poetry, or multimedia) addressing ecological futures.
* Critically reflect on values, agency, and cultural perspectives in shaping sustainable futures.
* Transfer these skills to their own teaching and contribute to the training of other teachers at their respective universities.

Practical Details
Academic Year 2026
Number of admitted participants 15
Coordinating University University of Gävle
Language of teaching English
ECTS credits 7
In-presence Component
In-presense component description

Onsite Summer School Retreat (May 2026, 5 days, ~60h): Intensive seminars, author-led labs, campus-as-living-lab activities, group project presentations.

Virtual Component
Virtual component description

Virtual Phase (April–May 2026, ~40h): Online lectures, readings, group work, creative writing workshops.

Assessment
Form of assesssment

Online lectures, readings, group work, creative writing workshops. Intensive seminars, author-led labs, campus-as-living-lab activities, group project presentations.Final creative outputs, reflection essays, online symposium, publication of student works.

Requirements
Academic pre-requisites for applicants

Master’s students and teachers in literature, environmental studies, education, or related fields.

Selection Process
About the lecturers