From 9 to 19 June 2026, Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) hosts the Aurora Summer School “Emerging Futures: Societal Innovation Meets Futures Studies” at the AEI International School, in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair on the Futures of Education for Health and Living Well.
This intensive two-week programme enables students from Aurora universities to develop practical and theoretical competences in Futures Literacy, societal innovation and strategic foresight, preparing them to address complex global challenges and societal transformations.
The programme combines Futures Literacy Labs, lectures, workshops and collaborative learning activities led by internationally recognised scholars and practitioners.
Course Programme
Week 1 – Foundations of Futures Studies
Participants explore anticipation processes through Futures Literacy Labs, social and strategic foresight, forecasting methods, and the Great Transitions serious game.
Week 2 – Using the Future
Students engage with applied futures approaches including Transitions and Speculative Design, Anticipatory Systems and Processes, Regenerative Futures and Systems Thinking, delivered by international lecturers and guest speakers.
The “Emerging Futures” Summer School concludes with the International Conference on Futures of Education for Peace on 19 June 2026, gathering UNESCO leaders, researchers and stakeholders working on education, peace and societal futures.
Participants who successfully complete the programme receive 6 ECTS credits and a recognised French university certificate. The course is free of charge for Aurora students and includes sandwich lunches.
Discover the 2026 UPEC Summer School – Emerging Futures.
How to Apply
Students must apply through their home university’s Aurora mobility process.
Nominated students must submit:
- An updated CV
- Bachelor Transcript of Records
Nomination deadline: 6 April 2026
Selection results: 7 April 2026
Final enrolment deadline: 16 April 2026