The summer school is organized by the Data Science Center (DSC) at the University of Bremen, in collaboration with the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology (BIPS) and the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT).
For sociologists, geospatial data makes it possible to analyse spatial patterns of inequalities, neighbourhood effects, environmental exposures, and regional differences in health outcomes, and well-being by linking information about individuals with characteristics of the places in which they live. This enables researchers to study how local opportunity structures, environmental conditions, and access to resources and services shape behaviours, risks, and outcomes. At the same time, many social scientists face practical hurdles when working with spatial data: finding suitable datasets, choosing appropriate spatial units and projections, linking spatial information to survey or administrative data, and addressing privacy or ethical issues when working with location-based data. The summer school addresses these challenges by combining methodological foundations, practical exercises, and interdisciplinary exchange.
Highlights of the summer school:
- Focused lectures introducing key concepts, analytical strategies, and research challenges
- Guided hands-on sessions in QGIS and R for collecting, processing, linking, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial data
- Peer exchange though Interdiciplinary discussions and informal networking events
- Bookable consultation slots to your data, methods, and research questions with experts in our "Bring-your-own-data clinic"
- Poster sessions and lightning talks to present your work and win a Best Poster Award
The summer school is primarily aimed at PhD students. Advanced Master's students and postdocs may be considered if seats are available. Participation is free of charge.
Please find the Call for Applications attached. Further information and the application form are available on our Summer School website.
The application deadline is 4 May 2026.
