Wadden Sea World Heritage Summer School 2026

Wadden Sea in Transition: Navigating Rising Seas Across Nature, Culture & Economy

Following the success of last year’s Wadden Sea World Heritage Summer School, where students explored the complex ecological and management challenges of this unique coastal ecosystem, the 2026 edition now turns to one of the most urgent issues facing the region today: how sea level rise is reshaping both ecological dynamics and cultural heritage in the Wadden Sea.

Building on the Summer School’s strong tradition of interdisciplinary learning, hands on fieldwork, and close exchange with experts and practitioners, this year’s programme invites a new group of students to investigate how rising seas impact habitats, cultural landscapes, and human–nature relationships across the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site. 

The 2026 Wadden Sea World Heritage Summer School offers participants the opportunity to contribute to forward looking ideas and adaptation strategies for this globally significant coastal region.

A collaboration between academic institutions and practical organizations, the school aims to provide a deep understanding of the conservation, management, and governance of the Wadden Sea ecosystem.

The Wadden Sea World Heritage Summer School is a joint initiative of the Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation led by the Alfred-Wegener-Institute, FH Westküste University of Applied Sciences, the Waddenacademie, and the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, with support from the World Heritage Centre Wadden Sea (WEC), Lauwersoog.

Date, time, and place

17-28 August 2026. The main location of the Summer School is Lauwersoog in the Netherlands. Towards the end of the programme, the group will travel to Wilhelmshaven, Germany, to attend the Wadden Sea Day, the annual Wadden Sea-themed symposium. 

Learning objectives

Participants will gain an understanding of the challenges of conservation, management, sustainable development, and policy of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site on a national and transnational level, both from a theoretical and practical perspective.

Participants

Bachelor and Master students in the field of marine environmental studies, marine resource management, tourism management, social sciences, sustainable management, geography or similar fields of studies in particular from Danish, Dutch, and German universities. Up to two spots will be reserved to international participants from countries with which the Trilateral Cooperation has a Memorandum of Understanding with (Mauritania, South Korea, United Kingdom).  

The summer school is limited to 18 students. Proficiency in English is required to actively participate in the discussions and to present their own work in English.

Application

To apply for the Summer School please submit this form until 3 May 2026.

All applicants will be notified by end of May.

Please note that when applying you will be asked to provide the following:

• Curriculum Vitae including contact of reference (e.g. supervisor, professor)
• Letter of motivation or short video explaining your motivation to participate in the Summer School as your connection to the Wadden Sea (max 2 min, max 300 MB, MP4)

Note that these will be shared with the organisers during the selection process.

Accommodation and costs

A non-refundable participation fee of €150 is charged for accommodation, food, and travel between the locations. Participants will be sharing rooms.

Please note that participants need to take care of their individual travel to Lauwersoog and from Wilhelmshaven.

Please note that only after being selected you will be asked to pay the participation fee and send a confirmation of your payment. Details will be shared in due course.

Enquiries

For all enquiries regarding the Summer School please contact Anja Domnick, Common Wadden Sea Secretariat.

Impressions from 2025