Summer school
Ecological Macroeconomics
& Global South
Venue: Santa Verdiana, Florence
7-9 September, 2026
Under the patronage of the University of Florence, the PhD in Social Sciences for Sustainability and Wellbeing (S3W) and the International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE)
Call for Papers or Poster HERE: Note that you are required to upload 1 PDF file (Long abstract of max 3 pages, including references)
APPLY HERE: Note that you are required to upload 3 PDF files (CV, Motivation Letter, and ID/Passport)
NOTE: If you have any issues in filling the form, please write to laura.colli1@unifi to get instructions.
⚠️NEW DEADLINE: 29/03/2026
VENUE: Santa Verdiana, Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 27, 50122 Florence (FI), ITA
Contact persons:
- Laura Colli (University of Florence, ITA) — laura.colli1@unifi.it
- Tiziano Distefano (University of Florence, ITA) — tiziano.distefano@unifi.it
📅 Follow-up event
After the Summer School, participants are encouraged to join the 1st International Conference in ECOLOGICAL MACROECONOMICS (September 10-12). The event will be held in the same venue: Santa Verdiana complex, Florence, ITA.
*NOTE: Students admitted to the summer school may have a reduced registration fee in case of acceptance to the conference, in case of availability of funds.
DESCRIPTION
This summer school offers an intensive introduction to Ecological Macroeconomics, with a special focus on its relevance for the Global South. Participants will receive a solid grounding in the foundations of Ecological Economics and Post-Keynesian Macroeconomics, and will learn key modelling approaches used to analyse sustainability transitions in diverse socio-economic contexts.
The programme covers Input–Output analysis, Stock-Flow Consistent modelling, and System Dynamics, providing participants with the conceptual and technical tools needed to explore the interactions between economic structures, environmental constraints, and social outcomes. A core component of the school is hands-on training on how to build Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) that incorporate biophysical limits, distributional dynamics, inequality, and policy scenarios.
Participants will work through practical modelling labs using Vensim and R, enabling them to implement dynamic models, run simulations, and analyse alternative development pathways. The school aims to equip a new generation of researchers—especially from and for the Global South—with state-of-the-art modelling skills to address climate, energy, and development challenges.
SYLLABUS — in progress
DAY 1:
- Ecological Economics, Complex Systems and Epistemological Challenges
- Introduction to Post-Keynesianism
DAY2:
- Environmentally Extended Input Output — theory and applications (with a focus on GS)
- Stock Flow Consistent models — theory and applications (with a focus on GS)
- System Dynamics — theory and applications (with a focus on GS)
DAY 3:
- Heterodox Integrated Assessment Modelling (IAM) — theory and applications
- LAB — Data collection and analysis, programming (Venism and R), building toy IAMs
🎓 Who should apply?
The Summer School is designed for PhD students and early-career researchers with interests in ecological economics, environmental policy, and systems analysis. In special cases, master’s and bachelor’s students may also be eligible.
Local Organizing Committee
- Tiziano Distefano (University of Florence, ITA)
- Simone D’Alessandro (University of Pisa, ITA)
- Guilherme Morlin (University of Pisa, ITA)
- David An (University of Florence, ITA)
- Vinicius Centeno (University of Florence, ITA)
- Mauro Pinto (University of Campania – Vanvitelli)
🎤 Keynote Speakers:
Prof. Xi Ji (School of Economics, Peking University, China)
Prof. Santiago Arango Aramburo (Universidad Nacional de Colombia, UNAL)
Prof. Mario Giampietro (ICREA, Spain)
Prof. Silvio Funtowicz
(in the final roundtable)
🔗 Hints from the 1st edition of the Summer school in “Multiscale Modelling and Ecological Macroeconomics” (2025): HERE
IMPORTANT DATES
ACCEPTANCE: by 10/04/2026
REGISTRATION*
EARLY BIRD – From 10 April 2026 to 31 May 2026: €250
LATE REGISTRATION: From 01 June 2026 to 30 June 2026: 350€
COSTS
The registration fees cover tuition costs, materials, lunches, coffee breaks and the social dinner. Meals will be vegetarian (please look here for the reasons for this choice).
All other expenses are the responsibility of the participants and will be paid by them.
ACCOMMODATION
Participants are responsible for finding and booking their accommodation. HERE you can find a list of suggested accommodations together with Hotel Bonifacio.
We recommend that you book your accommodation as soon as possible!
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
A minimal number of scholarships, in the form of fee discounts (or waiver of fees), are available. To ensure fair and equitable distribution, applicants in need of financial support can declare their needs during the application.
CLASS TIME SCHEDULE
All day, from 9.00am to 6pm. Classes will be exclusively in person.