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Emerging Futures: Societal Innovation Meets Future Studies – UPEC Summer School 2025

From June 2 to 13, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) is hosting its second Aurora Summer School at the AEI International School. Students from UPEC and the Aurora universities will acquire practical and theoretical skills about innovation, social foresight and futures literacy. The intensive two-week programme includes:

  • Week 1: Discover the Foundations of Futures Studies with Professor Felipe Koch. Immerse yourself in a Futures Literacy Lab, master facilitation techniques, and explore Social and Strategic Foresight.
  • Week 2: Learn from renowned lecturers : Riel Miller, former head of Futures Literacy at UNESCO, Ramon Rispoli, from University of Naples, Rocco Scolozzi, from University of Trento, Mayra Fonseca, from University of Brasilia, Fabio Scarano, curator of Rio’s Museum of Tomorrow, Philippe Frouté and Felipe Koch from UPEC
  • International Conference: On the final day, attend our International Conference on Decision Making under Deep Uncertainty. Hear from global experts debating societal transformations and crisis responses.
  • Cultural Activities : Enjoy relaxing moments to discover the vibrant cultural life of Paris.

More about the programme.

How to Apply:

Students must refer to Aurora offices at their universities for further information. Following the universities’ application process, students nominated by their universities must provide an updated CV and Bachelor Transcript of Record for the three years by 24 March 2025. Universities will be notified of selected students by 31 March 2025.

AIxFutures

“Throughout the lecture series, students get familiar with concepts and theories that describe and explain AI companies, and learn about the design of Machine Learning-based applications. Do we need AI – or does AI solve our problems? What problems can machine learning effectively solve? What is the current impact of AI technologies on economy, society and ecology? How can we apply AI to a new domain or problem? What role do humans play in designing AI applications?

Building on fundamentals of information systems strategy and enterprise modelling, students reflect the impact of strategy and organizing in AI companies towards their ability to produce sustainable futures. We particularly investigate the generative capacity of data, tools, and (machine learning) models to produce such futures. Among others, we will cover the impact of biases in data and algorithms, explainability of AI applications, as well as accuracy, sovereignty, (inverse) scalability and framing of ML models. Throughout the entire module, we critically reflect impacts of managerial and algorithmic decision-making on sustainability, this includes impacts, for instance, on aspects of health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), or climate action (SDG 13).”

Moonshot Design

In the””Disruptive Innovation and Moonshot Design” course, students delve into sustainable innovation models, focusing on integrating environmental and social responsibility into economic success. Through case studies, they explore how successful businesses have adopted sustainability in their core strategies, providing real-world insights. The curriculum addresses pressing global sustainability challenges, such as climate change, emphasizing innovative solutions like renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Students learn to assess environmental and social impacts using sustainability metrics, equipping them with tools to evaluate and enhance business practices.

Simultaneously, the course emphasizes the transformative role of digital technologies in innovation, examining how advancements like AI and AR reshape business models. Digital entrepreneurship is a key focus, with students exploring digital platforms, e-commerce, and marketing strategies crucial for modern business growth. The use of digital tools in the innovation process, including design thinking software and collaborative platforms, is highlighted to foster creativity and efficiency. The course also looks ahead, discussing the potential future applications of emerging digital technologies such as advanced analytics and augmented reality, preparing students to leverage these tools in driving innovation. This holistic approach ensures graduates are well-equipped to lead in the intersecting realms of sustainability and digital innovation.

AIxFutures

“Throughout the lecture series, students get familiar with concepts and theories that describe and explain AI companies, and learn about the design of Machine Learning-based applications. Do we need AI – or does AI solve our problems? What problems can machine learning effectively solve? What is the current impact of AI technologies on economy, society and ecology? How can we apply AI to a new domain or problem? What role do humans play in designing AI applications?

Building on fundamentals of information systems strategy and enterprise modelling, students reflect the impact of strategy and organizing in AI companies towards their ability to produce sustainable futures. We particularly investigate the generative capacity of data, tools, and (machine learning) models to produce such futures. Among others, we will cover the impact of biases in data and algorithms, explainability of AI applications, as well as accuracy, sovereignty, (inverse) scalability and framing of ML models. Throughout the entire module, we critically reflect impacts of managerial and algorithmic decision-making on sustainability, this includes impacts, for instance, on aspects of health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), or climate action (SDG 13).”

Moonshot Design

“In the “”Disruptive Innovation and Moonshot Design”” course, students delve into sustainable innovation models, focusing on integrating environmental and social responsibility into economic success. Through case studies, they explore how successful businesses have adopted sustainability in their core strategies, providing real-world insights. The curriculum addresses pressing global sustainability challenges, such as climate change, emphasizing innovative solutions like renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Students learn to assess environmental and social impacts using sustainability metrics, equipping them with tools to evaluate and enhance business practices.

Simultaneously, the course emphasizes the transformative role of digital technologies in innovation, examining how advancements like AI and AR reshape business models. Digital entrepreneurship is a key focus, with students exploring digital platforms, e-commerce, and marketing strategies crucial for modern business growth. The use of digital tools in the innovation process, including design thinking software and collaborative platforms, is highlighted to foster creativity and efficiency. The course also looks ahead, discussing the potential future applications of emerging digital technologies such as advanced analytics and augmented reality, preparing students to leverage these tools in driving innovation. This holistic approach ensures graduates are well-equipped to lead in the intersecting realms of sustainability and digital innovation. ”