The 2026 Alternet Summer School took place in Peyresq, France from 19-29 August. 29 students from across Europe and across the world attended the programme, entitled: “Biodiversity and society: transforming science and policy.”
Five students of the the 2026 Alternet Summer School shared reflections on their experience in Peyresq. Read what they wrote below:
Elina Siren (Tampere University, Finland)
“Over the course of ten days, we listened to world-renowned researchers share not only their scientific expertise, but also deeply personal and thought-provoking reflections on their careers and values. One of the strongest takeaways for me was the reminder that researchers are not neutral observers standing outside the challenges we study.” Read Elina’s reflections.
Floris Meert (KU Leuven, Belgium)
“10 days, 18 lectures, 2 field trips, 6 working group sessions, 2 panel discussions and countless interesting, fun, hopeful and inspiring exchanges and interactions. The Alternet Summer School on transformative change has officially come to an end, and I can only say how grateful I am that I could be part of this.” Read Floris’s reflections.
Roos Immerzeel (PBL, The Netherlands)
“The summer school challenged my way of understanding knowledge and ways forward in biodiversity science and policy, making me reconsider my own perspectives and biases. It opened my eyes to the many possibilities of bringing creativity (back) into my days and in my work, as creative practices are useful for thinking, presenting, collaborating and connecting in general.” Read Roos’s reflections.
Bigna Lu Abderhalden (University of Bergen, Norway)
“This school has taught me so much more than just pure knowledge of biodiversity and society and will continue to impact my PhD project, my work and my life for a long time. It has also connected me to like-minded people, a network in academia and beyond–and it has renewed my hope, that together we can have an impact.” Read Bigna’s reflections.
Nurbahar Usta (Istanbul Technical University, Turkey)
“These ten days indeed “transformatively changed” me, both in terms of my academic perspective, how i approach research and ask my research questions; and personally in how i hold space for the emotions of the people i’m surrounded by, as well as my own.” Read Nurbahar’s reflections.
A big thanks to these alumni for sharing their reflections–and to the entire 2026 cohort for another great, transformative year of the Alternet Summer School!
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