International Masters Summer School

June 2025

Each year the School of Management is very proud to organise and host the annual International Masters Summer School (IMSS).

IMSS brings together Masters-level students from our own, as well as collaborative partner institutions across Europe, the Middle East and Gulf countries for a programme focused on emergent challenges and issues.

Based at the award-winning 'Ecoversity' City Campus, IMSS asks participants to engage in a stimulating week of talks and activities lead by academic and industry experts.

Bradford Learning about Placemaking

See the video from last years International Masters Summer School giving insight into the weeks activities and sustainability tours.

There is no question that climate change is happening; the only arguable point is what part humans are playing in it.
Sir David Attenborough

Summer School Theme

Our 2025 Summer School will see us explore Global Shifts: Climate Action, Advocacy and Justice in a VUCA World.

In an era defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA), the fight against climate change has become more urgent than ever. The world is witnessing unprecedented environmental disruptions, threatening the stability of ecosystems and societies.

At the same time, the socio-political landscape is shifting. As nations grapple with economic uncertainties, technological advancements and geopolitical tensions, climate change must remain at the forefront of global priorities.

This year's theme highlights the dynamic interplay between environmental challenges and the evolving global landscape. It calls for bold leadership, strategic policymaking, and inclusive solutions that empower vulnerable populations while accelerating progress toward a carbon-neutral world.

In the face of uncertainty, only decisive, inclusive, and justice-driven climate action can create a future for all.

Summer School Objectives

Building on a successful participation at COP29 and looking ahead to Cop30 our latest iteration of our flagship student learning experience will:

Develop awareness of challenges and opportunities for sustainability, climate change and the circular economy in business globally.
Challenge understanding of conventional linear business models.
Be inspired by innovative ideas and thinking from practitioners.
Contribute to a critical thinking forum on sustainability.
Engage in team-based sustainability discussion and challenges through individual and shared learning.
Take part in experiential learning and social-cultural experiences.

As well as this students will get a unique opportunity to come together with a range of international students from a diverse set of backgrounds, exploring, developing and applying sustainability thinking to practice.

Our Summer School will focus on topic areas such as:

Climate justice
Climate finance - local, national or transnational financing
Gender and climate change: a crucial connection
New business models and the future of entrepreneurship in a sustainable world
Population growth and waste management
Inclusion in climate policy decisions
The role of indigenous communities in climate action
Food systems and climate change
Climate adaptation and resilience
Climate change and biodiversity

Some of the key aspects of IMSS include the following:

Face-to-face sessions, facilitated discussions and a collaborative challenge to provide you with provoking and innovative thinking.
Lectures by invited industry experts and academic speakers on key topics.
Field trips visiting local sustainability, business and heritage sites in West Yorkshire.
A focus on sustainability and circularity in business with team and self-analysis sessions.
Challenging your knowledge of sustainability using the SULITEST tool.

At the end of IMSS student participants will have gained skills or knowledge including:

Enhanced knowledge on sustainability issues relating to international business.
Critical evaluation skills for conventional business concepts through sustainable perspectives.
Great innovative thinking including the development of solutions and ideas for sustainable practice.
Analysis skills for conflicting interests in a dynamic international context.
Effective communication, negotiation and presentation skills to be utilised in dynamic and culturally diverse settings.

International Masters Summer School offers a unique opportunity to not only learn about current topics, but also provide student participants with the following outcomes:

Certificate of completion gained by all students upon successful engagement and attendance with all sessions.
10 credits towards your master's degree for those students that have registered to do so and pass the requirements of the module with a 100% weighting for a written graded assessment.
Win one of three IMSS prizes for successful attendance, highest mark on the SULITEST and being part of a team video challenge submission.
Networking and collaboration opportunities with sustainability students and facilitators from diverse international contexts.

Learn from the Experts

Each year the School of Management invites expert guest speakers to our campus to deliver sessions based on the themes listed above.

Over the course of the week-long summer school students will hear keynote talks, panel discussions and take part in practical workshops delivered by a series of experts from both academia and industry.

In past iterations of IMSS we have welcomed speakers from international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, World Health Organisation, World Wildlife Fund, Green Climate Fund and leading professors from across the globe.