IFSA–ENFASYS PhD Summer School
Montpellier & Online
20 May – 4 July 2026
A PhD-level course that combines online learning, workshops, and IFSA Conference participation, equipping participants to analyse and act on complex agri-food systems.
Phase 1 — Online MOOC (20 May – 25 June)
Self-paced modules on ENFASYS concepts: systems thinking, mapping, behavioural insights, system dynamics, and policy co-design
Phase 2 — Workshops (27–29 June, Montpellier)
Team-based work on real-world cases: analyse systems, map dynamics, identify leverage points, and design interventions
Phase 3 — IFSA Conference (30 June – 4 July)
Engage with the research community and reflect on your analysis, interventions, and research practice
Day 1 – Investigate and explore the system (Saturday 27 June)
- Course introduction, objectives, and overall framing
- Building on insights from the MOOC phase
- Formation of teams and selection of case studies
- Exploration of the challenge, including key actors and behavioural and systemic drivers
- Identification of knowledge gaps and engagement with stakeholders to deepen understanding
Day 2 – Make sense and design change (Sunday 28 June)
- Reflection on insights from Day 1
- Joint lecture on systems mapping, behavioural insights, and policy-informed change (Domenico Dentoni, Filippo Pini, Elisabeth Stumvoll)
- Development of system maps (CLD, VNM)
- Identification of leverage points and design of interventions, including mapping their potential effects
- Evening social event and informal presentations
Day 3 – Reflect critically and consolidate (Monday 29 June)
- Guest lecture on critical systems learning and co-inquiry (Kevin Collins)
- Reflection and peer feedback
- Consolidation of findings into a Theory of Change summary
- Wrap-up, assessment, and preparation for engagement during the IFSA conference
Days 4–6 – IFSA Conference participation, reflection, and presentations
(30 June – 3 July)
- Participants attend the IFSA conference and:
- Engage with peers and exchange perspectives
- Reflect on their research practice and PhD journeys
- Critically test and refine their systems framing, assumptions, and proposed interventions
Evening course activities:
- Tuesday 30 June (1h30): reflection and preparation of group presentations
- Thursday 2 July: collaborative work on presentations
- Friday 3 July: presentation during the conference
Day 7 – Reflection and course wrap-up (Saturday 4 July, morning)
- Reflection on the applicability and transferability of tools and concepts
- Reflexive analysis of individual learning and research practice
- Course evaluation and final wrap-up
- How to analyse complex agri-food systems using systems thinking, mapping, system dynamics, and behavioural insights
- How to identify leverage points and design intervention strategies, understanding where and how to intervene to drive transformational and systemic change
- How to engage in co-inquiry and develop a reflexive approach to your research praxis, including questioning assumptions, positionality, and methods
- How to apply these tools, concepts, and insights directly to your own PhD research and real-world contexts
Domenico Dentoni (MBS), Elsa Dingkuhn (MBS), Louis Tessier (ILVO), Elisabeth Stumvoll (HU Berlin), Filippo Pini (UNIBO)
Guest lecture: Kevin Collins (OUUK)
Course coordinators: Elsa Dingkuhn (MBS), Domenico Dentoni (MBS),Fleur Marchand (TBC)
Organising Committee: Elsa Dingkuhn (MBS), Maria Rivera Mendez (University of Evora), Paolo Prosperi (IAMM-CIHEAM), Fleur Marchand (ILVO), Louis Tessier (ILVO)
Course Board: Myriam Kessari (IAMM-CIHEAM), Paolo Prosperi (IAMM-CIHEAM), Domenico Dentoni (MBS), Fleur Marchand (ILVO)
Apply by: 5 April 2026
Results: 12 April 2026
Note:
Participation is subject to pre-registration and selection; applicants attending IFSA are advised to register before the early bird deadline (30 March), with extended rates available for selected participants.
For questions, please contact:
Elsa Dingkuhn – e.dingkuhn@mbs-education.com
Fleur Marchand – fleur.marchand@ilvo.vlaanderen.be
In collaboration with
Project funded by
