Graduate Schools summer break: review of the summer schools

This summer, the Graduate Schools of Université Paris Cité offered their students, researchers, and (post)doctoral fellows the opportunity to take part in summer schools. These programs provided an excellent occasion to strengthen skills, expand networks, and enrich academic paths.

Participants of the summer school organized by the Graduate Schools G.E.N.E. and Innovative Therapies in Cancerology, held at the Forest Ecology Station in Fontainebleau.

Sandbjerg Summer School in Global History: “a unique opportunity to advance my research, (…) surrounded by international professors and doctoral students”

Launched in 2020, the « Sandbjerg Summer School in Global History» was created to strengthen academic collaboration between historians and scholars of global studies from the Circle U and The Guild networks, bringing together six leading European universities (Aarhus – Denmark, Bern – Switzerland, King’s College London – United Kingdom, Oslo – Norway, Tübingen – Germany, and Université Paris Cité – France). The summer school aims to build a network of excellence among junior and senior researchers in global history, while also fostering student mobility. Each year, around twenty doctoral candidates and one faculty member from each of the six universities gather to present and discuss their research.

Representing the Department of History at Université Paris Cité, Associate Professor Claire Tran co-organizes the summer school, selecting two doctoral candidates from our university to participate each year. The event is supported by the Graduate School Arts, History, and Humanities in Global Perspectives, allowing for broader participation from its students.

For the 2025 edition, Sophie Crapoulet, PhD candidate in History, and Iris Mommeransy, PhD candidate in Literature, Arts and Cinema (LAC), were selected to join the summer school, accompanied by Claire Tran.

“I had the privilege of taking part in the Summer School in Global History, held in Sandbjerg, Denmark, in June 2025. In an idyllic setting, these three days were an incredible experience to mark the end of my third year of doctoral studies. Surrounded by international professors and doctoral candidates, I was able to present my research topics and receive valuable feedback. Each participant had both the time and the space to share their progress and provide constructive input to their peers. This was my first research experience in an English-speaking environment, and I strongly encourage students to take part. It is a unique opportunity to move forward with one’s work and return with renewed motivation.”

Iris Mommeransy

PhD student, Lettres, Arts, Cinéma (LAC), Graduate School Arts, History, and Humanities in Global Perspectives

«The Sandbjerg Summer School was a wonderful experience that enabled me to make real progress in my research: writing an article, giving an oral presentation in English, and engaging in constructive exchanges with all participants, both in formal and informal settings. The professors and doctoral candidates from several European universities were extremely supportive. They offered highly relevant insights that resonated with the guidance I had already received from my thesis committee. Informal discussions also allowed me to reflect on life after the PhD, as we considered possible professional pathways together. I truly value the opportunity to benefit from this format, which combines scientific rigor with a warm and collegial atmosphere, and which contributes to building an international network. It was an exceptional opportunity for me. I cannot recommend it highly enough to other doctoral students, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the entire organizing team.»

Sophie Crapoulet

PhD student in History, Graduate School Arts, History, and Humanities in Global Perspectives

Cardiovascular Sciences : « A real once-in-a-lifetime experience»

The summer school of the Graduate School Cardiovascular sciences,organized by the Council of the European Society of Cardiology on Basic Cardiovascular Science (CBCS), the summer school took place at the European Heart House, in the south of France, between Nice and Cannes.

Over four days, the most talented graduates in science and medicine were invited to attend lectures delivered by leading experts in their fields. The program included educational presentations, workshops, and poster pitches by young researchers. This engaging format, combining high-quality speakers with early-career researchers in an interactive and friendly atmosphere, provided valuable opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and ideas within the scientific community.

“I have learned so much knowledge not just in cardiology and science, but also in career planning, networking… I understood how amazing it is to go out meeting people with similar passion and brilliant ideas, to share your experience, to compete and to communicate! The most memorable moment has to be my adventure to swim in 5:30 in the morning. It was a wild plan, but eventually people came and we had a lot of fun, true adventure to the seminar! If I hadn’t participate in this wonderful summer school, I wouldn’t have known so many extraordianry people, I wouldn’t know how beautiful is the sea in the dune, I would’t know how good I could be if I put my heart into it. A real once-in-a-lifetime experience, I strongly recommend it!”

Zhuo Huang

PhD student in the Graduate School Cardiovascular Sciences, awardee of the 2nd prize for best presentation at this summer school

“The Summer School of the European Society of Cardiology is an unforgettable experience, where leading scientists and passionate students come together to share knowledge and innovations. As organizers, we are proud to carry forward this event, which embodies the spirit of transmission and inspiration, sparking curiosity in young researchers – the future explorers of the mechanisms that drive our hearts. Supporting student participation in this summer school means investing in the future of research and medical innovation. Congratulations to all participants for their commitment and passion.”

Giuseppina Caligiuri

Co-Director of the Graduate School and Member of the Summer School Organizing Committee

G.E.N.E x Innovative Therapies in Cancerology : “An opportunity to apply my knowledge and better identify the skills I need to develop”

The Graduate School G.E.N.E and the Graduate School Innovation Therapies in Cancerology organised a joint summer school focused on Innovation, Genetics, Epigenetics and Immuno-Therapeutics in Oncology.

This collaboration initiated and coordinated by Alain Zider, head of the Graduate School G.E.N.E, and Mireille Viguier, co-head of the Graduate School Innovative Therapies in Cancerology,brought together around thirty students, (post)doctoral fellows, and researchers. Over the course of two days, participants enjoyed the unique setting of the Fontainebleau ecological station to share their research and exchange on the latest innovations in oncology applied to biological sciences and public health. The summer school concluded with a symposium held in the Buffon amphitheater on the Grands Moulins campus, where about fifty attendees gathered to hear high-quality presentations from professors, researchers, and invited experts. You can find the summer school program here.

“We would like to extend our warmest thanks to all participants, speakers, partners, and organizers who made this edition of the Summer School on Cancer Therapy a true success. Thanks to you, this summer school brought us together around the latest advancements in cancer therapy, encouraged interaction between young researchers and leading experts, and fostered promising future collaborations. We are also deeply grateful to SMARTS-UP, G.E.N.E. , ITC, ANR and institutional partners for their invaluable support. Their contribution was key in ensuring the quality and accessibility of this scientific event. We look forward to welcoming you to future editions, with the same ambition: to promote scientific excellence in a friendly and stimulating environment.” Alain Zider, director of the Graduate School G.E.N.E et Mireille Viguier, co-director of the Graduate School Innovative Therapies in Cancerology

The students share their experience

“This summer school was an incredibly enriching experience, both because of the quality of the activities and the interactions with more experienced participants. It allowed me to apply my knowledge and better identify the skills I need to develop to become, I hope, a good researcher. I would also like to highlight the friendly and supportive atmosphere throughout the program.”Kadi Diallo, student in Master 2 Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire

“What I enjoyed most was the interactive approach through the workshops, which allowed us to engage far beyond traditional lectures. A highlight was the session led by Professors Jonathan Weitzman and Fernando Rodrigues-Lima, where each group designed a drug targeting an epigenetic enzyme and presented it to the class as if to a potential investor : an especially stimulating exercise..” Marisol Giacomini, PhD Student

“During this summer school, we had enriching discussions between experts and young researchers, where everyone could freely ask questions and share their opinions. I was also able to connect with students from diverse backgrounds. A truly formative and inspiring week..” Rebecca Scheidecker, student in Master 2 Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire