CIVIS Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in Nisyros: “Active Volcanoes and Climate Hotspots – An Interdisciplinary Exploration on Nisyros”

The five-day summer school “Active Volcanoes and Climate Hotspots – An Interdisciplinary Exploration on Nisyros” (20–24 October 2025) was successfully completed on the island of Nisyros, within the framework of the Europe’s Civic University Alliance (CIVIS), in collaboration with the Candidate UNESCO Global Geopark of Nisyros.

The summer school brought together 43 postgraduate and doctoral students from nine European universities — Aix-Marseille Université, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Université libre de Bruxelles, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg, Sapienza Università di Roma, Universitatea din Bucuresti, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and University of London — under the coordination of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).

The programme was coordinated by Professor Paraskevi Nomikou (Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, NKUA), Scientific Coordinator of the Nisyros Geopark, highlighting the strong collaboration between NKUA and the Geopark in education and research.

This interdisciplinary educational initiative was implemented with the participation of distinguished professors, researchers, and collaborators:
• Serafim Poulos, Maria Chatzaki, Panagiotis Nastos, Kostas Dialynas, Varvara Antoniou (NKUA)
• Karen Fontijn (Université libre de Bruxelles)
• Kalliopi Baika (Aix-Marseille Université)
• Daniele Casalbore (Sapienza Università di Roma)
• Jafar Anbar (Postdoctoral Researcher, Aix-Marseille Université)
• Elisavet Nikoli (Geoscientist, Nisyros Geopark)
• Gonca Kuscu (Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University)
The volcanic and geodynamic environment of Nisyros served as an ideal natural laboratory for understanding active volcanic processes, climate variability, and the interactions between natural and anthropogenic factors within the “climate hotspots” of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Through interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, and educational field trips, the participants:
• Studied the active volcanic system of Nisyros and its geomorphological features.
• Attended workshops in volcanology, geomorphology, climatology, and archaeology.
• Practiced field measurements using modern instruments (drones, thermal cameras, meteorological sensors) for the recording of physical parameters.
• Visited key geosites of the Candidate UNESCO Global Geopark of Nisyros, exploring the connection between geology, landscape, and cultural heritage.
In collaboration with the Nisyros Geopark, students visited:
• the Geopark Information Center, where they were welcomed by the Geopark’s President Mr. Evangelos Tasioulas and the Mayor of Nisyros Mr. Christofis Koronaios,
• the Archaeological Museum of Nisyros and the Paliokastro, enhancing their understanding of the island’s geo-cultural heritage and the long-standing relationship between humans and the volcanic environment,
• the Volcanological Museum, and
• the volcanic islet of Gyali.

Nisyros, as an active volcanic and climatic hotspot, constitutes a unique natural site for studying the physical processes linking volcanic activity and local climate variability. The summer school highlighted the importance of an interdisciplinary approach for understanding the environmental challenges of the region and the necessity of international collaboration in research and education.

The successful completion of the programme reinforces cooperation among the European universities of the CIVIS network, promoting student and staff mobility, interdisciplinary research, and the integration of science with the local community of Nisyros.