Upcoming events within FORTHEM Alliance

University of Jyväskylä is a member of FORTHEM, a European Universities Alliance. Together with 8 European partner universities, we develop our activities and offer new kinds of international networking and learning possibilities to for our students, researchers, staff members and local partners. On this page, we list some highlights from the events calendar.

Published

23.2.2026

Selected FORTHEM opportunities in February 2026

We have collected here some highlights for the upcoming months. All upcoming events can be found in the events calendar on the FORTHEM Alliance website

Register by 28.2.2026 Peer-to-peer Project 3_Map of Green FORTHEM Routes

A creative initiative involving students from the FORTHEM Alliance, aimed at designing sustainable and intercultural travel routes across Europe. The goal is to create a Green Map of Europe, promoting eco-friendly mobility and cultural exchange within the Alliance FORTHEM.

Participants will engage in virtual sessions led by FORTHEM experts, where they will learn tools and methods for sustainable travel planning. The project will involve parallel work on different routes and topics, encouraging creativity and knowledge-sharing across the team.

By the end of the project, students will have co-created a practical and inspiring resource that supports greener travel choices and strengthens intercultural connections across FORTHEM campuses.

Apply by 1.3.2026 FORTHEM Entrepreneurship Summer School: Ethics‑Driven Lean Startup Methods for Future Entrepreneurs

This Entrepreneurship Summer School is designed to introduce participants to innovative ways of thinking and acting as entrepreneurs. The programme covers a wide range of topics, including ethics in entrepreneurship, idea generation, lean startup methodologies, business model analysis, and competitor analysis, among others. Participants will work collaboratively in international student teams and gain hands-on experience by developing projects and preparing for a final pitching session, which constitutes a core component of this intensive training experience.

Summer School dates: 1st - 5th June 2026
Host organisation: University of Valencia
Application procedure: To successfully apply, each prospective participant must fill in this application form. The deadline to complete this form is Sunday, 1st March 2026, 23:59 CET.

Please note that, as a general rule, the FORTHEM travel grant can be awarded to only 1-2 JYU students per event, unless stated otherwise. If you are a doctoral student and employed by JYU, please read the Erasmus staff mobility guidelines and JYU’s travel instructions. Employees cannot receive grants that are meant for students.

Register by 1.3.2026 Online Course: Sustainable education for equity and democracy

This interactive micro-course will introduce students to the fundamentals of principles and practices of sustainable education with a focus on active citizenship and democratic participation.

Course duration:
18 March - 8 May

During the course, students will:

learn about the main concepts within sustainable, democratic, and citizenship education.
explore how to identify, analyse, and overcome barriers to sustainable education based on real-world case studies.
be sensitised to policies and practices within sustainable education and be encouraged to reflect critically on their own practices and values within educational contexts, either as participants in learning communities, or as educators working at different educational levels.

The course carries 2.5 ECTS Credits.

Apply by 1.3.2026 Summer School in Opole 2026 "Frontiers in Education"

The University of Opole (UO), Poland, is hosting the fourth edition of the FORTHEM Summer School for Teachers and Teacher Education Students between June 22 and 26, 2026. The Summer School will focus on the exploration of the frontiers in a variety of areas of education: Gamification, Lifelong Learning, Online Learning, Moodle Courses, and Economics, among others.

Target groups: Students, school teachers and university lecturers

Register by 3.3.2026 Online Workshop - Self-Management and Energy: Structure, Clarity and Balance for your work and study routine

This interactive workshop helps participants bring more structure, clarity, and energy into their work or study routine. Using science-based mental fitness, time management, and energy tools, they learn how to stay focused, reduce stress, and prevent burnout without adding extra pressure.

Participants will design their own productive daily structure and leave with practical strategies they can implement immediately for more balance, efficiency, and well-being.

The topic will be presented in an interactive workshop format. Throughout the workshop, you will have numerous opportunities to actively participate and contribute.

Register by 5.3.2026 Online Course - First Impression: A Key to Successful Presentations

The course focuses on the first impression you create and what it means for establishing contact with the audience when giving a presentation. By clarifying your message and involving the audience, you increase your chances of getting your point across.

Students can expect to be challenged to contribute with their own experiences. Throughout the course, they will gain increased understanding and insight into what it takes to create a strong opening for a presentation.

Read more and register by 5 March

Register by 5.3.2026 Online Workshop: Digital Transformation for SMEs. A Theoretical and Practical Roadmap for Sustainable and Competitive Growth

On 10 March, an online workshop titled “Digital Transformation for SMEs: A Theoretical and Practical Roadmap for Sustainable and Competitive Growth” will bring together doctoral candidates, researchers, teachers, and students for an interdisciplinary learning experience.

Led by Clara Sebastián-Simón, the session will offer a structured, evidence-based perspective on digital transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), highlighting its role as a strategic driver of long-term competitiveness and sustainability.

By the end of the workshop, attendees will gain a consolidated conceptual framework, a practical transformation toolkit, and a structured roadmap adaptable to diverse organisational contexts.

Register by 9.3.2026 Online Seminar - Using AI Effectively in the Job Application Process

This seminar provides a practice-oriented overview of how AI is transforming the application process and where its use creates real added value. Students learn how to use AI tools in a targeted way to create, optimize, and tailor their application materials. At the same time, the seminar explains how selection processes work and what human resources departments expect from modern applications.

Students will:

create application documents more efficiently, in a more structured and more individualized way with the support of AI.
use AI tools in the long term to optimize and further develop their application strategy.
gain insights into the use of AI and algorithms in recruitment processes and adapt their applications accordingly.
develop a reflective understanding of which phases of the application process are suitable for the use of AI, where its limitations lie, and which risks need to be considered.

Register by 12.3.2026 Online Workshop: Career Wellbeing - Strategies for Managing Emotions in Professional Contexts

The workshop is designed to empower you to unlock your potential and navigate career development challenges in a healthier, more resilient way.

You will be introduced to key principles of positive psychology and will explore science-based approaches and strategies for cultivating wellbeing and for building emotional resilience in diverse professional contexts - a key skill that is constantly growing in importance in our modern labor market.

Register by 12.3.2026 Startup Day - Spring 2026 - Sport and Health Technology

In March 2026, we will explore the exciting world of sport and health technologies aimed at promoting both physical and mental well-being. The event will kick off with keynote speakers who share their personal experiences working and doing business in the fields of sport, health, and wellbeing.

The second half of the afternoon is dedicated to business idea pitches. After each presentation, we hear comments from an expert panel and the audience. The event will wrap up with a networking and idea-sharing session over a cup of coffee.

The event is free of charge and open to everyone!

We are pleased to collaborate in March with Sport Innovation Hub Jyväskylä, who support the growth of SMEs and promote success in sports, physical activity, and well-being. Their on-going project is focused on RDI activities and is co-funded by the European Union. Our second partner on the theme is HHub, an ecosystem dedicated to promoting exercise, health, and well-being locally. The initiative is coordinated by the City of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä Business Development Services.

Read more and register by 12 March

Register by 13.3.2026 FORTHEM International Conference

Democratic & Responsible Bio Innovation - aligning bio tech breakthroughs with ethics, safety, sustainability, and security.

This online conference brings together researchers and practitioners from the biosciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and education to co-create responsible, democratic, and sustainable innovation for Europe.

We invite contributions that connect cutting-edge science with ethics, inclusion, governance, and societal impact, drawing inspiration from the FORTHEM Alliance’s efforts to connect the worlds of science and society.

Registration deadlines:

Presenters - 6 March
Listeners - 13 March
Abstracts - 6 March

Register by 15.3.2026 Interdisciplinary Symposium - From Looking to Seeing: Visual Literacy in Visual World

Today, we constantly look at screens, images, data - but do we know how and what to see? How do we make sense of the visual information? How do perception, attention, and interpretation shape knowledge, learning, and creativity?

This symposium explores visual literacy as the capacity not only to read images but to engage with them critically, reflectively, and imaginatively. We aim to create a space for discussing how visuality influences our thinking, teaching, research, and cultural life.

Dates: Wednesday May 27, 2026 → Friday May 29, 2026
Location: University of Latvia, House of Nature, Jelgavas iela 1, Riga, Latvia
Aimed for: Doctoral students (FORTHEM funding)

We warmly invite you to consider a green travel option to reach Latvia!

Register by 16.3.2026 Online Workshop: Navigating German Work Culture

This interactive workshop is designed for international students who are preparing to navigate professional life in Germany. The focus is on developing intercultural competence and understanding the norms, values, and communication styles that shape German work culture. Together, we will explore how cultural differences influence workplace interactions and learn practical strategies to manage them constructively.

Students will reflect on their own cultural backgrounds, compare them to German workplace practices, and practice adapting to intercultural situations with confidence. Through group discussions, short exercises, and experience sharing, participants gain insights into typical aspects of German professional life such as hierarchy, formality, feedback culture, and workplace etiquette.

The aim is to strengthen students’ ability to communicate effectively, build professional relationships, and approach cultural challenges as opportunities for growth.

Register by 17.3.2026 Online Seminar: Emotions, Communication, Relationships and... friends

This seminar focuses on emotions, communication, and relationships and... all their “friends”, such as conflict, relational styles, misunderstandings, and emotional dynamics. Students will explore how emotions influence communication, how relationships are built and challenged, and how everyday interactions can create connection or tension. The seminar combines reflection, examples, and discussion, with attention to different cultural perspectives.

Apply by 20.3.2026 Erasmus Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Reading for a Stronger Europe: From Pixels to Pages – Reading Europe Differently (3 ECTS) at University of Latvia - Riga, Latvia

The course is arranged as a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP), which comprises of meeting on-line and a live intensive week in Riga, Latvia:

First online session: 8th May 2026 at 15–16.30 CET, 16–17.30 EET
Second online session: 29th May 2026 at 15–16.30 CET, 16–17.30 EET
Live contact teaching week in Riga 8–12 June 2026

JYU-students MUST FIRST APPLY THROUGH WEBROPOL by filling in their details and sending / saving them by 20 March 2026 at 16.15. Selected students will be informed about selection in late-March.

WEBROPOL for Latvia BIP

After this the students need to apply through Latvia BIP-process as explained on the website below. On the website there is more information about the course.

More information: Erasmus Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Reading for a Stronger Europe: From Pixels to Pages – Reading Europe Differently

Register by 20.3.2026 AI in Academia Staff Week

Join academic library professionals from across Europe for an immersive five-day experience exploring how Artificial Intelligence is transforming higher education libraries. Hosted by Agder University Library in the vibrant coastal city of Kristiansand, this Staff Week combines hands-on AI workshops, inspiring presentations, and meaningful networking opportunities.

This Staff Week is designed for:

Academic librarians and library professionals
Information specialists and digital learning coordinators
Library managers and team leaders
Anyone working in higher education libraries interested in AI and emerging technologies
Professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of AI's impact on academic library services

Register by 24.3.2026 Online Course: Academic Writing in English (in Times of AI)

Are you required to submit assignments in English? And does the transition from school English to writing university-level, academic texts feel challenging?

This hands-on workshop is designed to support students in writing clear and structured academic texts in English. In addition, it places a strong emphasis on the responsible use of AI tools in the writing process.

Participants will critically evaluate AI-generated suggestions, assess their usefulness and limitations, and learn how to integrate them into their own texts.

The workshop consists of two sessions:

Tuesday, 7 April, 9:00 - 12:30 CET
Thursday, 9 April, 9:00 - 12:30 CET

Preparation:
You will be required to bring along a short text prepared in advance of the workshop.

Methodology:
Input by trainer, practical writing exercises, editing own texts, discussions.

Apply by 31.3.2026 Summer School in Riga 2026 "Teaching for the Future: Learning through Innovation"

The Summer School for Teachers and Teacher Education Students 2026, hosted by the University of Latvia, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, invites young teachers, MA and PhD students in pedagogy to immerse themselves in an inspiring week of creative learning and digital exploration.
This international programme focuses on innovative pedagogical approaches, including the integration of AI tools in education, the digital principles of modern pedagogy, and the development of digital competencies essential for future educators.
Through workshops, lectures, and collaborative projects, participants will explore how emerging technologies can transform teaching, learning, and creative expression.

Target groups:MA and PhD students (young teachers) in Pedagogy and Teacher Education, primary/secondary school teachers, Pedagogy and Teacher Education university teaching staff

Register by 7.4.2026 Online Course: Why We Talk the Way We Do: Improve Communication Skills with Transactional Analysis

Transactional Analysis is a theory of communication rooted in psychology. Its premises include three human needs that affect human communication and thus human relations.

The course aims to introduce students to three leading concepts in Transactional Analysis that may help them observe and understand basic mechanisms that people follow when communicating with others in various social contexts, including a workplace context.

The students will become familiar with ego states that represent interpersonal styles, types of transactions i.e., communication paths, and psychological games that may be observed in ineffective communication exchanges.

This workshop will consist of three sessions:

Tuesday, 21 April, 17:00-19:15 (CET)
Wednesday, 22 April, 17:00-19:15 (CET)
Thursday, 23 April, 17:00-19:15 (CET)

Register by 13.4.2026 FORTHEM Online MasterClass for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA PF)

Planning to apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA PF)? This MasterClass by the FORTHEM Academy for Early-Stage Researchers supports postdocs in developing a focused, competitive proposal and connects you with expertise across the FORTHEM network.

What will you gain:
- Practical input on proposal logic (Excellence–Impact–Implementation) and what evaluators look for
- Peer exchange and structured feedback to sharpen your project idea
- A strong fit for researchers planning mobility within (or towards) FORTHEM partner universities; supervisors are welcome to engage as well

Who should consider it:
- Postdoctoral researchers preparing an MSCA PF application who meet the MSCA PF eligibility conditions (including the mobility rule).

Stay tuned

Check the FORTHEM Alliance event calendar for more events online and on-site at the FORTHEM partner universities campuses!
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