Summer School

The Nature4Nature Summer School:
a unique collaboration offering innovative, multi-disciplinary training
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Bioinspiration is about observing the forms, processes and systems found in nature in order to create new products, services and organisational models. It paves the way for a new way of thinking and designing, combining innovation and sustainability to meet the needs of an era characterised by rapid environmental and social change.
Bioinspiration already underpins many industry’s innovation strategies, particularly in the materials, energy, construction, architecture, urban planning, transport and healthcare sectors. This is because bioinspired solutions often provide disruptive answers to technical challenges, whilst also increasing the efficiency of systems and products. Moreover, by imitating the natural world, it is possible to create technologies that are less polluting, use fewer resources and energy, and are more compatible with biodiversity conservation.
This year, the MNHN’s Concarneau Marine Station will host a two-week summer school to teach students of all backgrounds about bioinspiration. There will be classes on biology, engineering, sustainability, philosophy, ethics and economics, and how these topics intersect with nature-inspired design. There will also be interactive lab sessions and coastal field trips to help students learn more about biology and ecology through direct experience. Students will also get the opportunity to discover and apply biomimetic methodologies.
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This summer school is organised by Nature4Nature’s consortium members, along with the Alliance Sorbonne University’s (ASU) “Ocean Institute”. This alliance brings together a range of different partners, all with their own expertise: the French Natural History Museum (MNHN), ASU's Materials Institute (IMAT), Sorbonne University's Faculty of Science and Engineering (SU), the Compiègne University of Technology (UTC) and the French National School of Industrial Design (ENSCI). The summer school teaching staff are drawn in part from these Nature4Nature and ASU institutions, along with external speakers from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, South Africa and the USA. A list of all summer school speakers can be found here and a draft programme here (which will be refined over the coming weeks).
Please do share this summer school poster with your colleagues and classmates!






















How to Apply?
The registration fee for the Summer School will be 750 euros (some student reductions may apply, for example for ASU candidates) and will include all lunches and coffee/tea breaks. A group dinner and a boat trip will also be included in this fee.
Only in-person participation for the full duration of the summer school will be allowed and 15 places are available (excluding the Nature4Nature Doctoral Candidates).
The Nature4Nature Summer School is open to everyone, but priority will be given to PhD and Masters Students.
To apply, Please send your CV and cover letter to (nature4naturemsca@gmail.com) by the 28th February 2025.
We will confirm if you have a place by the 15th March 2025.
We look forward to welcoming you in Concarneau!