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 Femke Maes (femke.maes@ugent.be) for all questions related to the content of the Summer School and research proposals. Contact Wannes Slosse (wannes.slosse@ugent.be) for all questions related to applications and finances.

Do you have yet another question? Choose your favourite organizer.

Meet the Experts

• Prof. Carl Lachat, Ghent University - https://research.ugent.be/web/person/carl-lachat-0/nl

Expert in nutrition and diets worldwide.

• Prof. Goedele Van den Broeck, UC Louvain - https://sites.google.com/view/goedelevandenbroeck

Expert in sustainable food systems worldwide.

• Prof. Francesco Cecchi, Wageningen University - https://sites.google.com/view/francescocecchi

Expert in decision making, financial inclusion and policy evaluation.

• Prof. Giacomo De Luca, University of Bozen-Bolzano - https://www.unibz.it/en/faculties/economics-management/academic-staff/person/39855-giacomo-de-luca

Expert in political economics and institutions.

• Prof. Amma Panin, UC Louvain - https://ammapanin.com/

Expert in decision making and institutions.

• Prof. Lore Vandewalle, KU Leuven - https://sites.google.com/site/vandewallelore/home

Expert in financial inclusion and micro-enterprise development.

• Prof. William Parienté, UC Louvain - https://sites.google.com/view/williampariente/home

Expert in policy evaluation for poverty alleviation.

• Prof. Ferdinand M. Vieider, Ghent University - https://www.ferdinandvieider.com/

Expert in decision making and applied microeconomics.

• Prof. Marijke D’Haese, Ghent University - https://agecon.ugent.be/marijke-dhaese/

Expert on agricultural economics and institutional changes.

• Prof. Koen Schoors, Ghent University - https://koenschoors.be/

Expert in institutional economics and econofysics.

 

Abstract

This summer school, organized in a joint effort of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, will focus on the most urgent development topics and the use of diverse scientific methodologies in exploring them. Renowned development experts will give keynote lectures, debate and have individual tutoring sessions with students to discuss their work.

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

8 - 11 September 2025. Each day from 9h to 17h. Thursday from 9h to 13h30.

Faculty board meeting room (keynote lectures) of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Tweekerkenstraat 2, 9000 Gent.

Programme

The summer school will be organized fully on-campus at the Ghent University Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (Tweekerkenstraat 2, 9000 Gent), conveniently located in the vibrant student-quarters, between the historical City Center and the City’s main train station.

During morning sessions, keynote lectures will be organized by a team of internationally renowned experts. Afternoon sessions will focus on the participants’ research ideas. Individual tutoring sessions shall be organized to provide one-on-one expert feedback to the participating students.

Lunches and coffee breaks are provided by the organizers. Dinners are not included.

 

Day 1: Monday 8 September 2025

08u30-09u00: Registration and Welcome coffee

09u00-09u30: Introduction by Femke Maes and Wannes Slosse

09u30-10u15: Keynote lecture by Prof. Carl Lachat

10u15-11u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Goedele Van den Broeck

11u00-11u30: Coffee break

11u30-12u30: Debate between speakers, Moderator: Prof. Marijke D’Haese

12u30-13u30: Sandwich lunch

14u00-17u00: Individual tutoring

17u00-19u00: Social activity

 

Day 2: Tuesday 9 September 2025

09u00-10u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Koen Schoors

10u00-11u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Giacomo De Luca

11u00-11u30: Coffee break

11u30-12u30: Debate between speakers, Moderator: Prof. Marijke D’ Haese

12u30-13u30: Sandwich lunch

14u00-17u00: Individual tutoring

 

Day 3: Wednesday 10 September 2025

09u00-10u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Francesco Cecchi

10u00-11u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Amma Panin

11u00-11u30: Coffee break

11u30-12u30: Debate between speakers, Moderator: Prof. Ferdinand Vieider

12u30-13u30: Sandwich lunch

14u00-17u00: Individual tutoring

 

Day 4: Thursday 11 September 2025

09u00-10u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. Lore Vandewalle

10u00-11u00: Keynote lecture by Prof. William Parienté

11u00-11u30: Coffee break

11u30-12u30: Debate between speakers, Moderator: Prof. Koen Schoors

12u30-13u30: Sandwich lunch and Goodbye drink

Registration

• The application deadline is 15 August 2025. You can register through this link.

• Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.

• The no show policy applies.

Registration fee

Registration is free for participants from Ghent University and the other Flemish 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 50

Language

English

Evaluation method

To successfully complete this course, participants have to attend all keynotes, and at least 3 individual tutoring sessions.

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.