In the summer of 2025, 22 participants from 11 different countries took part in the first edition of this summer school that combined academic input, site visits, and collaborative work to explore energy transition, including its technical, societal, and just transition dimensions.
The programme was shaped not only by lectures and visits, but also by the experiences participants took home with them. Here’s how they describe their time in Antwerp:
Looking back on the summer school, I realise that it did more than expand my knowledge, it shifted the way I think. I came in expecting to learn about strategies, frameworks and best practices. I left with something more valuable: a critical lens, a sense of urgency, and a clearer understanding of where I want to position myself in the conversation around climate and justice.
Kamiel (Belgium) - Master student International Relations & Diplomacy at University of Antwerp
The Energy Transitioning Summer School was more than a learning opportunity; it was a moment of synthesis. It brought together my academic focus on sustainable energy, my thesis work on biofuels, and my career aspiration to join Belgium’s environmental and maritime sector. Through lectures, site visits, and discussions, I reccomend it for everyone who would like to be more aware about enviroment aspects.
Agnieszka (Poland) - Master student Environment Protection Engineering at Lodz University of Technology
The summer school exceeded my expectations, not only in its content, but also in the connections I formed with fellow students, organisers, and industrial partners, such as the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Moses (Zambia) - PhD student at Wageningen University
The two weeks in Antwerp exceeded my expectations. I was introduced to energy systems, financing models, and business case frameworks, while also being challenged with critical perspectives on justice and extractivism. Most importantly, I worked with a diverse group of peers and learned as much from them as from the formal lectures. What began as a way to "catch up" on knowledge became a turning point in how I view my career and my place in the energy transition. I leave Antwerp not only more informed but also more determined to contribute my skills to a sector that desperately needs them. The energy transition is not just about technology or finance; it is about people, justice, and courage. And I want to be part of that journey.
Neerav (United Kingdom) - Bachelor student Finance at University of Strathclyde
Professionally, the summer scool offered much more than intellectual enrichment. It provided a rare opportunity to engage with peers and experts from various disciplines and geographies, creating a dynamic environment for exchange and collaboration. Informal conversations over coffee often proved as valuable as formal lectures, sparking ideas for joint research, co-authored publications, and cross-institutional partnerships.
Chuma (Nigeria), PhD student at Wageningen University