Summer school 'Multiple Lives of Subsurface in Decarbonization' showcased range of research interests

During 28 August – 1 September 2023, the Faculty of Spatial Sciences hosted the PhD summer school "Multiple Lives of Subsurface in Decarbonization - The Political Geology/Ecology of the Subterranean in Energy Transition". This unique academic gathering brought together 15 promising graduate students and postdoctoral scholars hailing from 11 different countries, all committed to exploring the profound and multiple roles of the subsurface in decarbonizing the global energy system.

The summer school, organized by Dr. Ethemcan Turhan and Dr. Rozanne C. Spijkerboer and co-funded by HARNESS project, showcased a diverse range of research interests and perspectives, fostering rich discussions on the multifaceted relationship between the subsurface, politics, and ecology. Participants engaged in rigorous academic sessions led by distinguished experts in the field, delving into topics such as subsurface resource management, environmental implications, and the socio-political dimensions of decarbonization efforts in geothermal, CCS (carbon capture and storage), nuclear deep storage, lithium extraction and electro-mobility, and gas extraction-induced earthquakes among others.

The programme also featured a very pleasant visit to New Energy Academy, where the participants had the chance to produce their own solar hydrogen! Many thanks to our amazing lecturers Dr. Johannes Miocic (RUG Geosciences), Dr. Andreas Roos (Lund University), Sofia Vargas Payera (Universidad de Chile/ETH Zurich), and Dr. Zeynep Oguz (University of Edinburgh). The summer school will have another edition in 2024.