Summer School – Hot Topics on Development in the Global South
Target audience
PhD and Graduate students are welcome to participate in this summer school. We encourage interested students from all kinds of scientific backgrounds to participate to stimulate interdisciplinary discussions.
Organizing and scientific committee
The organizing team is happy to help you!
Contact Wannes Slosse (wannes.slosse@ugent.be) for all questions related to applications and finances.
Contact Flor Vandevelde (flor.vandevelde@ugent.be) for all questions related to the content of the Summer School and research proposals.
Do you have yet another question? Choose your favourite organizer.
Meet the Experts
- Prof. Francesco Cecchi, Wageningen University
Expert in decision making, financial inclusion and policy evaluation.
- Prof. Lore Vandewalle, KU Leuven
Expert in financial inclusion and micro-enterprise development.
- Prof. Catherine Guirkinger, Université de Namur
Renowed expert in economic history and the economics of households
- Prof. Charlotte Janssens, UHasselt
Renowed expert on the impact of climate change on global food systems and agri-food trade
- Prof. Ilse Ruyssen, Ghent University
Renowed expert on the economics of migration
- Prof. Koen Schoors, Ghent University
Renowned expert in institutional economics and econofysics.
- Prof. Simon Galle, BI Norwegian Business School
Renowed expert on Growth and International trade
- Prof. Fenella Carpena, Oslo Metropolitan University
Renowed expert on experimental economics and applied microeconomics
Topic
Development economics tries to understand complex challenges in the global south and formulate policy advise to address problems of underdevelopment. Yet, while the academic field is called development economics, the challenges they try to shed light on are not solely confined to the field of pure economics. Insights in agriculture, history, natural resources management, informal markets, education systems and labour markets, the psychology of poverty etc. have to be combined to adequately examine these topics and design policy instruments. From a scientific standpoint, it has thus been clear that cross-pollination of ideas, methodologies and perspectives has to be fostered in order to tackle these challenges and frame the environment in which development research is to take place. As from a societal viewpoint, the relevance of the topic of the summer school is as pivotal as ever. Development sciences do not solely build theory, but intend to advise policy makers on best practices to address developmental challenges. By bringing together academics with empirical experience from all the above-mentioned scientific fields, we aim to crosspollinate and enable multidisciplinary interaction to improve the participant’s knowledge of the most pressing topics in development studies.
Our experts in development are ready to introduce you to their topics. You can expect thrilling keynote lectures spiced with illustrations from their broad experience. Furthermore, individual tutoring sessions with the experts give you the opportunity to dig into the details of your own work and obtain personalized feedback.
Dates and venue
14 - 17 September 2026.
Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (Tweekerken 2, 9000 Gent)
Programme.
Lunches and coffee breaks are provided by the organizers. Dinners are not included.
Day 1: Monday 14 September 2026
08u30-09u00: Registration and Welcome coffee
09u00-09u30: Introduction by Femke Maes and Wannes Slosse
09u30-10u15: Keynote lecture by Prof. Catherine Guirkinger
10u15-11u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Koen Schoors
11u00-11u30: Coffee break
11u30-12u30: Debate between speakers
12u30-13u30: Sandwich lunch
14u00-17u00: Individual tutoring
17u00-19u00: Social activity
Day 2: Tuesday 15 September 2026
09u00-10u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Charlotte Janssens
10u00-11u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Ilse Ruyssen
11u00-11u30: Coffee break
11u30-12u30: Debate between speakers
12u30-13u30: Sandwich lunch
14u00-17u00: Individual tutoring
14u00-17u00: Workshop quantitative methods by Alexsandros Cavgias
Day 3: Wednesday 16 September 2026
09u00-10u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Francesco Cecchi
10u00-11u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Lore Vandewalle
11u00-11u30: Coffee break
11u30-12u30: Debate between speakers
12u30-13u30: Sandwich lunch
14u00-17u00: Individual tutoring
14u00-17u00: Workshop qualitative methods by Branwen Peddi
Day 4: Thursday 17 September 2026
09u00-10u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Simon Galle
10u00-11u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Fenella Carpena
11u00-11u30: Coffee break
11u30-12u30: Debate between speakers
12u30-13u30: Sandwich lunch and Goodbye drink
Registration
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You can register through this link.
- Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.
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The no show policy applies.
Registration fee
Registration is free for participants from Ghent University and the other Belgian Universities. For other participants, there is a registration fee of EUR 100.
Accepted participants need to provide their own accommodation (suggestions) and transport.
Accomodation Suggestions
Budget
Hostel Uppelink: https://www.hosteluppelink.com/
Hostel KaBa: https://www.kabahostel.be/nl
Hostel De Draecke: http://de-draecke-hostel.ghent-hotels.co.uk/nl/
Mid-range
Ibis Cathedral: https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/ibisgentkathedraal.nl.html
Ibis Opera: https://all.accor.com/hotel/1455/index.nl.shtml
NH Belfry: https://www.nh-hotels.com/nl/hotel/nh-gent-belfort
Number of participants
Maximum 60
Language
English
Evaluation method
To successfully complete this course, participants have to attend all keynotes, and at least 3 individual tutoring sessions, and at least 1 methodological evaluation session (quantative and/or qualitative).
After successful participation, the Doctoral School Office will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this can take up to one to two months after completion of the course.