About
The course explores natural heritage from ecological, cultural, and social perspectives, focusing on sustainable management in the context of climate change. It examines key challenges such as conservation, renewable energy, human–wildlife interactions, and sustainable tourism, using European case studies to highlight interdisciplinary and community-based approaches.
This course is offered as a Circle U. joint course, developed within the Circle U. framework and delivered in collaboration with partner universities. Teaching is carried out by an international and interdisciplinary team of lecturers from the University of Vienna (Austria), the University of Pisa (Italy), Humboldt University Berlin (Germany), and the University of Oslo (Norway).
Application Period:
Please register via the Registration form by 8 March. Registration takes place on a first-come-first-served basis. Therefore we strongly recommend that interested applicants register as early as possible, as places can fill up quickly.
After application, students must complete their course registration until 10 March in u:find.
Contents of the course
The course covers key concepts of natural heritage, including its biological, ecological, cultural, and social values, as well as global and local frameworks for its protection and sustainable management. Core topics include the impacts of climate change on natural heritage and the role of conservation in climate mitigation and adaptation; the relationship between renewable energy development and natural heritage protection; animal behaviour and human–wildlife interactions; sustainable tourism and its ecological and socio-economic implications; and the role of education, traditional ecological knowledge, and intangible natural heritage in conservation practices.
Case studies from different European contexts are used to illustrate challenges, trade-offs, and best practices in sustainable management. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary perspectives and the integration of scientific knowledge with cultural and community-based approaches.
The course page at the University of Vienna gives you more information on the course content.
Teaching and learning methods
The course is taught in a blended and collaborative format combining lectures, interactive discussions, and challenge-based learning. Lectures delivered by an international team of lecturers provide the theoretical, methodological, and conceptual foundations. These are complemented by group work sessions in which students apply theoretical knowledge to a real-world case related to natural heritage and sustainability. The course promotes active learning through teamwork across disciplines and national backgrounds, use of English as a working language, and continuous interaction between students and lecturers. Learning outcomes are assessed through case-based group presentations in various formats (e.g. video, podcast, poster, presentation) and an individual reflective report in which students critically assess their scientific contribution and reflect on the opportunities and challenges of interdisciplinary sustainability work.
Lecturers
Didone Frigerio is Privatdozentin at the University of Vienna, researching animal and avian social behaviour and behavioural physiology, with a strong commitment to open and citizen science.
is Senior Lecturer at the University of Oslo, working on sustainability, materials science, and renewable energy through a systems-oriented and transdisciplinary approach.
is Associate Professor of Organizational Science at the University of Pisa, specialising in protected areas management, sustainable development, and tourism.
is Professor at Humboldt University of Berlin and head of Agricultural Ecology, with research interests in forest science, woody plant biology, and nature conservation education.
is Associate Professor at the University of Vienna, specialising in human–wildlife interactions and raptor ecology using GPS and bio-logging data.
is Professor in Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Oslo and Academic Chair Climate for Circle U., designing net-zero energy systems with environmental and social impacts in focus.
Gabriele Goretti is Associate Professor at the University of Pisa (DESTeC), focusing on design innovation and digital strategies for sustainable industrial transformation.
Sonia Massari, PhD, is a researcher at the University of Pisa (PAGE Research Group) with over 20 years of experience in food design, agri-food innovation, and sustainability education. She co-founded FORK Food Design Organisation and authored Food Design for the Real World.
Informations
In order to be eligible for a positive assessment, students must fulfil all mandatory course components. This includes regular active participation, attendance of at least 75% of the scheduled course sessions, successful completion of the group-based case project, delivery of the final group presentation, and submission of the individual reflection paper. Failure to meet the minimum attendance requirement or to submit either the group project or the individual reflection automatically results in a negative assessment of the course.
Assessment is based on the following partial performances, which together form the final grade:
Group case project and final presentation (60%)
. The group project is evaluated according to the following criteria:
. Relevance and clarity of the selected case and research question
. Integration of interdisciplinary perspectives (biological, environmental, technological, cultural, and social)
. Appropriate application of scientific concepts, theories, and methods discussed in the course
. Quality, coherence, feasibility, and originality of the proposed analysis and solutions
. Quality of the final presentation format (structure, argumentation, clarity, creativity, and communication)
Individual reflection paper (30%)
The individual reflection is assessed based on:
. Clear identification and explanation of the student’s personal scientific contribution to the group project
. Critical and correct use of relevant scientific concepts, theories, and academic references
. Depth of reflection on the opportunities and limitations of interdisciplinary collaboration in sustainability-related contexts
. Academic writing quality, structure, and proper citation
Active participation during the course (10%)
Active participation includes regular attendance, constructive engagement in discussions, and meaningful contribution to group work activities throughout the course.
The final grade is calculated based on the weighted sum of all assessment components and follows the standard Austrian grading scale:
- Very Good (1): 90–100%
- Good (2): 80–89%
- Satisfactory (3): 70–79%
- Sufficient (4): 60–69%
- Fail (5): below 60%
A positive assessment requires at least 60% of the total achievable points, fulfilment of the minimum attendance requirement (75%), and completion of all mandatory assessment components.
To successfully complete the course and its assessment components, students are required to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical, applied skills related to the sustainable management of natural heritage.
Students must demonstrate a solid understanding of the core theoretical concepts introduced in the lectures, including:
- Definitions, values, and dimensions of natural heritage (biological, ecological, cultural, and social)
- Global and regional frameworks for natural heritage protection and sustainable management
- Interactions between natural heritage and climate change, biodiversity loss, energy transition, tourism, and education
- Principles of sustainable development, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, and challenge-based learning
For the group-based case project, students are required to:
- Select and analyse a real-world case related to natural heritage and sustainability
- Apply relevant scientific concepts, theories, and methods from different disciplines
- Integrate biological, environmental, technological, cultural, and socio-economic perspectives
- Develop well-argued, evidence-based and feasible solutions or management strategies
- Collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary and international team and communicate results clearly in English using an appropriate presentation format
For the individual reflection paper, students must:
- Clearly describe and justify their own scientific contribution to the group project
- Demonstrate critical engagement with the academic concepts and literature used
- Reflect analytically on the advantages, challenges, and limitations of interdisciplinary work in sustainability contexts
- Present arguments in a structured, coherent, and academically sound written form
Overall, students are expected not only to reproduce knowledge, but to apply, integrate, and critically reflect on course content in order to address complex sustainability challenges related to natural heritage.
The achievement of the course learning objectives is supported by selected academic literature and teaching materials provided via the Moodle platform. These include lecture slides, scientific articles, book chapters, policy documents, and case study materials introduced and discussed during the course.
The literature covers the key thematic areas of the module, such as natural heritage and sustainability, climate change, biodiversity conservation, energy transition, sustainable tourism, education, and interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability research and practice. Additional readings may be provided throughout the course to support specific topics or student projects.
All required and recommended materials are made available to students on Moodle and form part of the examinable course content.
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Language and Format
The course is taught entirely in English to facilitate international participation and cross-border academic collaboration. All sessions take place in a hybrid format, combining on-site teaching at the Seminarraum der Zukunft (University of Vienna) with online participation of lecturers and students from partner institutions.This format enables transnational exchange, interdisciplinary perspectives, and collaborative learning across institutions, in line with the objectives of the Circle U. alliance.
Course dates and contents
Introduction and course framework
Welcome session; introduction to objectives, structure, assessment, and interdisciplinary and international collaboration; formation of groups and start of work on the case-based assignment.
Natural heritage, climate change, and energy transition
Concepts and values of natural heritage; impacts of climate change; role of conservation in mitigation and adaptation; sustainable energy transition, renewable technologies, and social justice in natural heritage regions.
Natural heritage and animal behaviour
Biodiversity, ecosystems, and protected areas; human–wildlife interactions; animal behaviour in conservation, wildlife management, and tourism.
Natural heritage and sustainable tourism
Biodiversity and landscape protection in sustainable development; case studies; visitor management; role of local communities and long-term preservation strategies.
Natural heritage and education
World Heritage frameworks; conservation principles; education, outreach, and intangible natural heritage; integration of scientific and cultural knowledge.
Student presentations and course conclusion
Presentation and discussion of group projects; evaluation and final reflections.
