BUP winter school Science by the Coast

The Baltic University Programme (BUP) and the University of Gdansk proudly present CoMaDe Science by the Coast, a winter school focusing on coastal and marine development in the Baltic Sea Region.

The winter school will take place from 2-6 February 2026 at Hel Marine Station, University of Gdańsk, Poland. Accepted students and PhD students will study the sensitive Baltic Sea environment and coastal development along the Baltic Sea coast in Poland.

The winter school at Hel Marine Station is the first of three events connected to the Swedish Institute-financed project 'CoMaDe - Coastal and Marine Development through Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Learning'. The project aims to foster connections among students across the region and deepen their understanding of sustainability challenges along the Baltic Sea coastline. Participants will explore local strategies to address these challenges and gain insights they can apply in their home countries. Additionally, students will enhance their research skills, while PhD students will gain valuable experience supervising student projects.

The winter school will consist of workshops, excursions, and lectures exploring the following topics:

• Introduction to the Hel Peninsula and the Puck Bay
• Societal Development vs. Biodiversity
• Environmental aspects of area management
• Socio-economic aspects of area management
• Offshore activities – Marine Spatial Planning

A key part of the winter school is the case studies that accepted students will conduct under the supervision of PhD students. Students will be divided into small groups. A preparatory online meeting will introduce the region and the stakeholders shaping the Baltic Sea coastline around Hel. In the weeks before the winter school, students are expected to prepare questions and outline their case study plans. During the event, each group will collect data, consult experts, study key indicators, and learn to draw conclusions to better understand coastal development in the Baltic Sea. On the final day, the students will present their findings to their peers.

Read about similar projects organised by The Baltic University Programme, such as Science and Sail 2025, among the event reports on the BUP website.

Goals of the event

Those students who are accepted to take part in the event are expected to gain the following:

• Improved knowledge of the Baltic Sea environment and its importance for regional societies and economies.
• Insights regarding different environmental indicators related to the Baltic Sea.
• Practical, interdisciplinary approaches to solving environmental problems.
• Skills in intercultural and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Target group

Applications are open to students at bachelor’s or master’s level from BUP participating universities. A maximum of 35 students will be selected.

We will also welcome a maximum of 5 PhD students. The PhD candidates will participate in the full program alongside students, while also practicing teaching and mentoring skills. They will support students in contextualising their work, particularly during case study conduction. Please note that there is a separate application link for PhD candidates.

Students from all study programs are welcome; no prior knowledge of the Baltic Sea environment is required. At the time of the event, you must be enrolled at a BUP participating university.

Selection of students

After the application deadline on 2 November 2025, participants will be selected based on motivation, field of study, and background. Selected students will be offered a place, and a small number of remaining applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Notification of selection will be sent by 23 November 2025.

PhD student selection will be completed by 24 November 2025, following interviews with suitable candidates.

Practical information

Conference cost and location

The winter school is free of charge and will take place in and around Hel, Poland, at Hel Marine Station. Travel expenses to and from Hel must be covered by the participants. Students are encouraged to explore funding options through their home universities, such as Erasmus+ mobility grants.

Accommodation and food

Accepted students will stay in shared rooms in Hel. Meals will be provided from lunch on 2 February until check-out on 6 February.

Certificate of attendance

Students who complete the winter school will receive a certificate.

Cancellation policy

Participation is free, funded by the Baltic University Programme. However, if a student does not attend or cancels after 9 December 2025, we reserve the right to charge the participant or their university the cost of participation (€320). Late cancellations are only accepted due to illness, family emergencies, or force majeure, with supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s certificate).

Accessibility

If you have questions regarding accessibility of the event or venues, please contact us.

Contacts and more information

If you have any questions or want more information about the conference, you are most welcome to contact the organising team.