The GEDIS European Summer School on Information Science (ESSISGEN 2026) is an intensive one-week academic programme designed for Bachelor’s students who are planning to enrol in a Master’s degree in Information Science. Participation in ESSISGEN 2026 is equivalent to 3 ECTS credits.
- Programme
- Activities to be done
- Organization
- Venue
- Accommodation
- Student Grants
- Cost
- How to reach Opava
- Invitation to institutions – Sponsorship
- Scholar Program and Social Program (draft)
This Summer School will be held in Opava from August 24th to August 28th, 2026.
Programme
The core modules of ESSISGEN will cover following areas:
- Advances in Information Science
- Research Methodology in Information Science
- Principles of Information Organization and Retrieval
- Introduction to Gender Perspectives in Research
- Artificial Intelligence in Information Science
- Digital Content Creation and Management
In addition to the on-site programme in Opava, selected participants will take part in four online preparatory sessions between May and July, focused on collaborative creation of educational materials in international teams. A complementary social and cultural programme will allow participants to discover Opava and its surroundings.
Activities to be done
Online sessions – Selected participants should attend 4 online sessions (May 27, June 10, July 1 and July 15). In online sessions, participants will be trained to co-create educational materials with peers of their own institution and peers of all participating institutions in groups of 3. An example is from Barcelona Summer School 2025: https://bit.ly/4c4THqz
All materials will be presented into the Summer School by the participants.
Presential activities – Attending Summer School lectures and activities in Opava from August 24 to August 28 included.
Organization
ESSISGEN 2026 is organised by the Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic), the University of Barcelona (Spain), Stiftung Universität Hildesheim (Germany), CUAS – Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (Austria), the University of Osijek and the University of Zadar (Croatia), and the University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
ESSISGEN 2026 is held under the auspices of the European Union and the Erasmus+ programme, as part of the project GEDIS – Gender Diversity in Information Science: Challenges in Higher Education (Project number: 2024-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000246558).
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
The application for participation is possible until April 10, 2026.
An application should include a short letter of motivation, a current CV as well your current transcript of records. Only complete applications will be considered.
Notification of acceptance: 28th April 2026
Venue
The Faculty of Philosophy and Science (FPS) in Opava started in 1990 as a Faculty of the Masaryk University in Brno and in 1991 it became part of the Silesian University in Opava. Established in the post-Communist era, it had no legal predecessor. The Faculty teaches the subjects of arts (history, museology, archaeology, the Czech language, foreign languages, and library science), sciences (physics and computer science) and one art subject of creative photography. Today there are 14 study programmes for a bachelor’s degree, 12 study programmes for a master’s degree and 6 study programmes for a doctor’s degree. Detailed information about the study programmes can be found in the section Study with us. The last years have been a period of development in the field of science and research for the FPS. The main directions of the scientific progress and research are determined by the research goals that are contained in the FPS‘s statute. The scientific results of the Institutes of Historical Sciences, Physics and Computer Science, which have been published in Czech and renowned foreign journals, suggest a high quality of research comparable to the European standards. The outcome of creative activities of the most important academics of the Institute of Creative Photography are internationally recognised.
Opava is a historic town located in the north-east of the Czech Republic, close to the Polish border, and serves as a cultural and academic centre of the Czech Silesia region. With a population of around 60,000 inhabitants, Opava offers a calm and welcoming environment that combines rich historical heritage with a strong educational tradition. As one of the oldest towns in the region, it features well-preserved architecture ranging from medieval and Baroque buildings to elegant nineteenth-century urban spaces, reflecting its long-standing role as a regional centre. The town is characterised by its compact historic centre, where visitors can explore landmarks such as the Co-Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, historic squares, and cultural institutions including theatres, galleries, and museums. Surrounded by a fertile valley along the Opava River and situated between the Nízký Jeseník hills and the Poopavská lowland, the town offers easy access to nature and outdoor activities. Despite its modest size, Opava hosts a variety of cultural events, exhibitions, and local festivals throughout the year, contributing to a lively yet relaxed atmosphere.
Accommodation
Students will be offered accommodation in shared rooms upon availability at Hradecká student dormitory in Opava. The dorm is conveniently located nearby the university buildings and the library. The city centre is within walking distance.
Student Grants
Several student grants are available for students from partner institutions who want to attend ESSISGEN 2026. Most grant recipients are nominated by the partner universities. Selected students will receive the costs for participation fee and accommodation in Opava (6 nights – August 23 to August 28 included) plus travel support.
You might also seek additional local sources for financial support. For example, there might be financial support available by the international office of your university, federal or local student support agencies or your local students union.
Nominated students will receive room and board in Opava (6 nights – August 23 to August 28 included) plus travel support of up to 300€ based on expenses.
Cost
In the case of a student from a non-partner institution, the cost to participate is 450€. This fee includes accommodation, meals, and access to all scheduled academic and cultural activities. The number of seats at the summer school are limited. Seats for students from non-partner institutions will be offered subject to availability.
How to reach Opava
Opava is located in the northeastern part of the Czech Republic and is best accessible by train from Prague or Vienna, which can be reached by plane. When planning your trip, be sure to allow enough time for connecting trains to Opava. The nearest airport is in Ostrava, which can also be used, but connecting trains are less frequent. We recommend using the airport in Prague, where connections to Opava run approximately every hour (the last connection is around 6 pm).
Invitation to institutions – Sponsorship
Employers, professional organizations, information agencies, publishers, and service providers are invited to consider participation at ESSISGEN 2026 by offering a demonstration, workshop, or exhibit about their products and services, or by presenting a paper or poster about their activities and services, as related to the summer school themes.
Scholar Program and Social Program (draft)
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