ABOUT
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR MICHAELMAS 2021.
One of our most popular and successful programmes, the School of Climate Change is returning for its 8th edition – and 3rd online edition - this autumn! Taught over nine weeks, the School is a comprehensive ‘Climate 101’ course taught by some of Oxford University’s most distinguished climate experts, bringing participants from all over the world for the unique opportunity to learn about the core science, policy, and politics of climate change. We specifically design the programme so that it delivers the interdisciplinary knowledge necessary for successful climate action, whilst remaining accessible to individuals from all backgrounds.
In Hilary 2021, more than 1400 participants from across the globe joined us, engaged in lively group discussions, and became part of our international community of climate leaders. We are hoping to expand our reach even further in our latest edition! New to Michaelmas 2021, the programme now includes teaching on how climate change interacts with oceans, ice, and food systems, plus a special session on COP26.
No previous experience, knowledge or affiliation with Oxford is required: if you are committed to learning about the climate crisis, join us!
No previous experience, knowledge or affiliation with Oxford is required: if you are committed to learning about the climate crisis, join us!
DATES: The School will be held online every Tuesday, 17:30-19:30pm UK time, from October 12th to December 7th. (If you live in a time-zone where attending session live is impractical, you can still participate by watching the session recordings).
FORMAT: Each session consists of a lecture delivered by one or more Oxford climate experts, followed by an audience Q&A. At 7:00pm, we will move into small breakout groups to discuss the lecture’s key issues and meet other participants, who will most likely live in a different part of the world to you!
The programme is specifically designed to deliver the interdisciplinary knowledge required for successful climate action, while remaining accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. It will begin with a broad overview of the science and impacts of climate change, before diving into a deeper examination of the areas that are most crucial for coherent climate action, such as energy, transport, and law. The programme will conclude by reviewing local and global frameworks for climate mitigation and adaptation, with a view towards practical actions that can be taken by the participants in their daily lives and future careers.
A typical session will include:
45-50 minute lecture
25-30 minutes questions from participants
30 minutes breakout room
FEE: To cover the costs of the webinar platform, we ask for a £10 fee from each participant for this nine-week course. However, if this fee would prevent you from participating, we have a ‘no-questions-asked’ financial hardship box that you can tick on our online application form.
Community building is a significant component of the School's programme. Participants will be given the opportunity to meet other climate-conscious individuals, and to work together to apply the knowledge they have learned to future projects beyond the School.
FORMAT: Each session consists of a lecture delivered by one or more Oxford climate experts, followed by an audience Q&A. At 7:00pm, we will move into small breakout groups to discuss the lecture’s key issues and meet other participants, who will most likely live in a different part of the world to you!
The programme is specifically designed to deliver the interdisciplinary knowledge required for successful climate action, while remaining accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. It will begin with a broad overview of the science and impacts of climate change, before diving into a deeper examination of the areas that are most crucial for coherent climate action, such as energy, transport, and law. The programme will conclude by reviewing local and global frameworks for climate mitigation and adaptation, with a view towards practical actions that can be taken by the participants in their daily lives and future careers.
A typical session will include:
45-50 minute lecture
25-30 minutes questions from participants
30 minutes breakout room
FEE: To cover the costs of the webinar platform, we ask for a £10 fee from each participant for this nine-week course. However, if this fee would prevent you from participating, we have a ‘no-questions-asked’ financial hardship box that you can tick on our online application form.
Community building is a significant component of the School's programme. Participants will be given the opportunity to meet other climate-conscious individuals, and to work together to apply the knowledge they have learned to future projects beyond the School.
MENTORS
Mentors support participants undertaking the capstone project in the School of Climate Change. The capstone project will involve participants drawing from the content they’re learning in order to outline the contours of the problem and then guide people through it and potential solutions. An example of this capstone project might be looking deeper into the theme of green energy. A specific problem would be delivering green energy systems to rural areas of a country of your choice. Participants will need to think through what the system looks like, who the actors are, what the obstacles are, and what the potential solutions might be. Groups will submit a one-pager to the SoCC team, and a small number of these teams will receive guidance from mentors to compete in the capstone presentation competition.
Mentors support participants undertaking the capstone project in the School of Climate Change. The capstone project will involve participants drawing from the content they’re learning in order to outline the contours of the problem and then guide people through it and potential solutions. An example of this capstone project might be looking deeper into the theme of green energy. A specific problem would be delivering green energy systems to rural areas of a country of your choice. Participants will need to think through what the system looks like, who the actors are, what the obstacles are, and what the potential solutions might be. Groups will submit a one-pager to the SoCC team, and a small number of these teams will receive guidance from mentors to compete in the capstone presentation competition.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there a typical profile for a SoCC applicant?
No! We welcome people from all backgrounds, ages, and expertises. Climate change affects us all, so knowing about it is vital no matter what you do or study!
what day of the week is the school of climate change?
Tuesday
What time is the school of climate change?
5:30-7:30pm UK time. All sessions will be recorded and shared with participants. We will also have an additional discussion group for those who cannot make the Tuesday night session; time TBC.
Do I need to be affiliated with the University of Oxford to apply?
No, anyone from anywhere in the world can apply!
What does the capstone project involve?
The 'Capstone Project' is an optional part of the course. It involves working in a group of 5-6 people (from similar time-zones) on a research project which you will devise based on your mutual interests. The research project can either offer a solution to a specific business problem that you will be given (the 'Business stream'), or can explore a specific climate issue in-depth ('Research stream'). Your team will present its research as a written one-page summary, which will be used to shortlist the best projects in a competition against other groups. Shortlisted entries will then receive mentorship from PhD students ahead of final judging in Week 9 of the course, where shortlisted groups will have a chance to present their work to the rest of the cohort.
What is the weekly time commitment for this programme?
Two hours per week. If you do the capstone project (you can opt-in to this on the application form), your total weekly commitment will be approximately 3 hours per week.
Will I receive a certificate for this programme?
We can offer a certificate from the Oxford Climate Society but it is important to note that we are not affiliated with degree programmes at the University of Oxford. We are a student-run initiative.
When will I hear if I got into SoCC?
You will hear back from us no later than Friday 8th October. However, we are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and you’ll probably hear back sooner. Please bear with us as we review the large number of applications we expect to receive.
What do I do if I got accepted in Michaelmas 2021, but had to drop out due to other commitments?
We will need you to submit another application for the next School, but please just check the box saying you were previously accepted.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
TESTIMONIALS
“It is impossible for me to see the world the same as I did before participating in the School of Climate Change. For the first time ever I had the opportunity to be part of a group of inspiring and passionate individuals who understand the urgency of doing something, anything, to save our Planet. I will take with me so much knowledge, courage and the strongest of commitments to do my best to change the world from my field of expertise. I'm grateful for these eight amazing Thursdays that changed my life. I would do it again a hundred times!”
“I was astounded at how good the School of Climate Change was. I signed up casually thinking that I might learn something new, but more likely it would be information I can find on Youtube. I left with a level of knowledge of climate change far higher than when I applied. The course was structured well with approaches towards the subject from a multiplicity of angles. The topics were thorough. The Q&A's were always engaging and I wanted to get involved. Finally, the capstone projects were utterly inspiring - I met people from all over the world from a range of age groups and background who all cared passionately about tackling climate change. All in all a wonderful experience.”
“Delighted is an understatement. The course was well designed, formatted, delivered at an excellent pace, flow and by highly competent and engaging facilitators in an interactive process. The breakout rooms and the opportunities to engage with other participants provided even more profound insights into the cultures, perspectives and views towards applying the learning in different context. The course was extremely relevant, timely, and provided great insights and collaborative opportunities to address systemic issues associated to climate change.”
Being around such a diverse and interdisciplinary group of students who all care about climate change has been such a refreshing experience at Oxford, not least because of the great array of topics included in the programme. The SoCC covers some of the most defining and contentious debates around solutions to environmental issues, from geoengineering and carbon taxes, to flood prevention and decarbonising the economy.
I loved that the programme offers such a welcoming and open space for discussion and debate, and that it is open to everyone from undergraduates to PhDs. It's given me the opportunity to build on my knowledge of issues around climate change, to be challenged by my peers, to interact with some fantastic speakers, and perhaps most importantly, to build so many new friendships, no doubt with many of the future leaders on climate change.
- MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy
I really loved the course. I really felt like it brought together a community of students and academic professionals to talk about and learn about climate change and think how to approach it taking into account the interdisciplinary approach it demands.
- DPhil Philosophy
It was an amazing series. I only wish I could do it all again!
