CIRKLA Summer School

At the intersection of innovation and responsibility

The transition toward a Circular Economy is no longer a theoretical ambition - it is a pressing societal, industrial, and environmental necessity. As Europe and the world face increasing resource constraints, climate challenges, and complex value chains, new approaches to education are essential.

Engineers, materials scientists, and sustainability professionals must be equipped with technical expertise. Equally important are interdisciplinary thinking, systems awareness, and the ability to collaborate across sectors. At the heart of this transition lies a fundamental challenge: how do we redesign our world so that waste becomes a resource?

The CIRKLA Summer Schools – an intensive, interdisciplinary and practice-oriented learning experience

The Summer Schools organised by the European School of Materials (EUSMAT) as part of the CIRKLA project, offer a concrete response. They represent more than a short-term training opportunity: it is a strategic learning format designed to prepare young talents for the realities of a rapidly evolving scientific and industrial landscape. For Master’s students, PhD candidates, and early-career professionals, participation in a CIRKLA Summer School offers a wide range of unique benefits:

Strengthening of expertise in one of the proposed technical topics
- Sustainable Buildings
- Green Steel
- Recycling of Electronic Waste
Inputs from leading experts in academia and industry
Real-world case studies on core issues of the circular economy
Interdisciplinary approaches
Communication skills and teamwork
Internationale Vernetzung und interkulturelle Erfahrung
Establishment of a professional academic network

A scientific community for the circular economy

By bringing together participants from different educational levels and professional backgrounds, the Summer Schools contribute to building a shared understanding of Circular Economy challenges and solutions, grounded in materials science and engineering expertise. At the same time, the impact of such Summer Schools extends beyond individual participants. They help strengthen the scientific community, foster collaboration across institutions and regions, and accelerate the diffusion of Circular Economy principles into research and practice.

Impressions from the 2nd CIRKLA Summer School

The second edition of the CIRKLA Summer School took place from 7–11 September 2026 at Saarland University. Under the theme “Green Metallurgy: Case Study Steel”, 22 participants from 10 countries explored how circular principles can be implemented across different areas of the steel sector.

More information can be found here.

Impressions from the 1st CIRKLA SUMMER SCHOOL

The first edition of the CIRKLA Summer School took place from 1–5 September 2025 at the University of Luxembourg. Under the theme “Sustainable Construction: Materials, Circularity and Innovation”, 30 participants from 9 countries explored the opportunities and challenges of a resource-conscious construction and materials sector.

More information can be found here.