How can we ensure plant health in the face of climate change, increasing pest pressure, and stricter regulations? These pressing challenges are at the core of the international summer school Plant Health under Pressure: Environmental Shifts and Legal Responses, hosted by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
The programme is designed for MSc and early-stage PhD students in fields such as agroecology, plant protection, entomology, plant breeding, and molecular biology. It brings together participants from diverse academic backgrounds and countries, creating a unique environment for interdisciplinary exchange.
Plant health under pressure: climate, pests, and policy
Modern plant protection lies at the intersection of science, practice, and policy. Climate change is altering the distribution and behaviour of pests and pathogens, while evolving legislation – including pesticide restrictions and GMO regulations – is reshaping available solutions.
The summer school provides a comprehensive perspective on these interconnected challenges. It begins with foundational lectures on plant health, followed by more advanced topics focusing on current research and its practical implications across agriculture, horticulture, and forestry.
From theory to practice
The course combines lectures, case studies, literature seminars, and field excursions. Participants will explore:
· plant defence mechanisms and resistance biology,
· ecology and biology of pests and pathogens,
· plant protection methods (biological, chemical, and breeding approaches),
· development of sustainable management strategies,
· impacts of climate change on plant protection,
· the role of legislation in shaping research and practice.
A key component of the programme is project-based learning, where students develop and present their own plant protection strategies in the context of current scientific and regulatory trends.
International experience and networking
The summer school will take place at the SLU campus in Alnarp, Sweden, and will also offer opportunities for networking and informal interaction. Social activities, including welcome and farewell events, as well as a full-day excursion, are part of the programme.
Practical information
Location: SLU Alnarp, Sweden Dates: 9–15 August 2026
Application deadline: 1 May 2026 Application: https://forms.office.com/e/AvPitdFaAQ
More details: https://www.euroleague-study.org/en/r-20338-study-offers/r-20351-summer-schools/r-21651-summer-schools-2026/plant-health-under-pressure-environmental-shifts-and-legal-r.html