Summary
Sea level rise is one of the most pressing challenges facing coastal communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure around the world.
This hybrid OTGA course, organized by the Future Earth Research School of the CMCC Foundation (Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change Foundation and the Decade Collaborative Centre for Coastal Resilience (DCC-CR) in collaboration with the supercomputing center CINECA, offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary in-depth analysis of the physical, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions. It explores the driving physical processes as well as the human and ecological impacts. Through three online modules and an in-person, hands-on training week, participants will study challenges and solutions associated with Sea Level Rise and learn to perform risk assessment. The course will cover risk management strategies such as coastal defense infrastructures, and solutions ranging from nature-based approaches to urban design innovations. Special attention will be given on adaptation planning, with real-world case-studies from diverse coastal regions.
Participants will also develop skills to synthesize knowledge by working on Sea Level Rise (SLR) data, as well as to effectively communicate sea level risks to stakeholders.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand of the physical processes driving SLR risks
- Asses regional vulnerabilities and coastal risks
- Perform data analysis on SLR Coastal risks using remote sensing, in-situ measurements, and open-access datasets
- Gain insights on how to develop comprehensive adaptation strategies and plans for coastal resilience, with a specific focus on measures and solutions
- Communicate Sea Level Risks to Various Stakeholders
Course content and structure
The course is structured in three online modules and an in-person, hands-on training week.
Online asynchronous activities will include the following 2-hour lectures for a total of 20 hours:
Module 1 – Understanding Sea Level Processes and Variabilities
- Understanding and measuring Sea Level (processes, in situ data, remote sensing data)
- Numerical modelling of SLR and impacts
- AI/data-driven modelling of SLR and impacts
- Coastal Resilience and SLR Early Warning Systems
Module 2 – Adaptation and Solutions
- Adaptation Planning for Coastal Resilience
- Sustainability Transition & Coastal Resilience for Business
- Coastal Resilience Solutions: examples
Module 3: Technical tools for data access and analyses
- Introduction to Cloud Space and the Jupyter Notebooks
- Visualization and Extraction of Time Series for Specific Coastal Areas
- Hazard Mapping for Waves and Sea Level
In addition, live tutoring (2h) will be available to support participants.
In person activities will focus on strengthening the knowledge gained in the previous weeks through additional lectures on related topics and hands-on activities. Participants will also have the opportunity to interact with lecturers and guest speakers.
Target audience and prerequisites
The course is targeting Early Career scientists and young professionals from – but not limited to – coastal consulting companies, coastal managers and operators, environmental protection agencies, civil protection entities, governmental officers, industry and high level education institutions.
Other backgrounds may be eligible if relevant to, or if they demonstrate experience with, the topics of the course.
Language of instruction: English
Instructors
Course directors:
Giulia Galluccio– CMCC Foundation
Villy Kourafalou – DCC-CR
Begoña Pérez Gómez – Puertos de Estado
Lecturers:
Experts on Sea Level Rise from CMCC Foundation, University of Bologna, Deltares, University of Aegean and others.
Notes
Course format
Estimated total learner workload: 94 hours (including independent study and assignments)
- 20 online hours (10 hours per week) for pre-recorded lessons
- 2 hours live tutoring
- 36 onsite hours for in-person wee
- 36 hours – estimated independent study/homework
All lessons are mandatory, time zone is not relevant as lessons will be available on-line and in-presence
Asynchronous prerecorded lessons (Nov 24-Dec 14): available on-line through the OTGA platform.
Training assignments (Dec 8 – Dec 14), including 2 Hours Live tutoring/ synchronous session (Dec 9-12)
Live lectures and training activities during the in-person week (Dec 15-19)
Learner assessment
During the first three weeks, participants will become familiar with specific contents to establish a common knowledge base. Participants will begin working on individual assignment in the third week. During the in-person week, participants will start working in group projects. The final results will be presented on the last day of onsite activities.
Evaluation/Certificate
ISO certificates issued by OTGA
Participants will be evaluated through continuous assessment, based on their assignments, their in-presence class participation and on the final presentation, demonstrating the knowledge developed as well as the new knowledge and skills put into practice during the course
Technology requirements
- Comfortable navigating web-based platforms
- Ability to install software (with support if needed)
- Ability to download, manage, and interpret scientific datasets
- Familiarity with basic data analysis tools
- Basic programming experience in Python and familiarity with QGIS will represent an advantage
applications are open from 30 September – 19 October 2025. Link to apply : here
Application requirements:
- CV containing: Description of Education and information on Master’s degree in relevant fields; Description of Professional Experience; Current position; and English Proficiency.
- a Motivation Letter – 1000 words- explaining alignment with course goals. A statement should be added here in case you are interested in applying for financial assistance.
- Letter of reference (optional, but strongly recommended)
Selection criteria:
- Master’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, marine biology, coastal engineering, urban planning, or a related discipline.
- 1-5 years of relevant work experience in coastal management, environmental consulting, urban planning, marine conservation, or related fields
- Proficiency in written and spoken English
- Motivation letter
- Reference letters (optional but strongly recommended)
- visa for travelling to Italy
costs: 800 EUR per person
25 persons are invited
Course Fee covers: All lectures; computing environment for course assignments; lodging and meals during the in-presence week at Bertinoro (Italy), Travel from meeting point in Bologna to Bertinoro (Italy). The fees are intended solely to partially cover costs, with no commercial purpose.
Other travel costs and visa costs must be covered by the applicants.
Sponsorship: we are committed to fostering inclusion and equal opportunities. Our financial assistance is available for participants who may otherwise face difficulties in accessing the course. Financial assistance will cover the full price of the course (800 €). It does not cover travel and visa costs.
If you wish to apply for the financial assistance, please add a statement in the motivation letter explaining why you should benefit from this assistance. Financial assistance will be awarded by the Future Earth Research School based on the explanation provided and the other information received. Meeting the eligibility requirements or expressing interest in receiving one does not guarantee the award of the financial assistance. All successful applicants will be notified once the selection process is complete. If you have received financial assistance, this will be clearly stated in your notification. The selection committee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed. The School is unable to provide individual feedback on scholarship outcomes and reserves the right not to award any financial assistance
You must have passport and /or visa to enter Italy and attend the in-person week. The participation in the in-person week is mandatory
For more details, please visit the School website.