The “Ecological Transitions” (TE) Program via Distance Learning
The “Ecological Transitions” distance learning track of the Sciences Po Grenoble–UGA degree program primarily trains professionals to support and lead ecological transition projects in all types of organizations—government agencies, nonprofit organizations, local governments, cooperatives, and businesses—and in most sectors affected by transition-related challenges. This track thus aims to equip students with knowledge and practical skills in the key sectors of the ecological transition (transportation, energy, agriculture, and food), as well as in the governance mechanisms of this transition (democratic practices, regional policies, international negotiations, etc.).
This program also aims to promote understanding and mastery of the legal, economic, political, sociological, and philosophical tools and concepts that enable us to conceptualize and support the transition. It embraces a multidisciplinary approach, with a strong emphasis on contributions from the various social sciences. In addition, it aims to introduce students to the various natural and physical sciences that enable them to assess the scale of the ecological crisis and inform decision-making (understanding dynamics and orders of magnitude).
Each online cohort has a small class size to foster a genuine group dynamic. The two-year program is structured so that the first semester consists of courses in various formats (asynchronous courses, hybrid workshops), while the second semester is dedicated to an internship, which also gives students the opportunity to specialize in one of the many sectors or geographic areas affected by the challenges of the ecological transition.
External candidates with a bachelor's degree and an interest in the social sciences and ecological transitions (A4 competition)
The Ecological Transitions track is also available as part of Education , currently in the fourth year, with no specific modifications.
Skills
The aim of the Ecological Transitions program is to enable students to develop key professional activities over the course of the Education program. A competency framework is associated with each activity. The competency framework sets out the steps required to successfully complete the activity.
- Identify and problematize the challenges of ecological and solidarity-based transitions;
- Adopting an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach ;
- Monitor the state of knowledge in French and English;
- Analyze this state of knowledge with regard to specific issues;
- Identify and mobilize methodological tools adapted to data production and processing;
- Collect, produce and analyze quantitative and qualitative data;
- Write and formalize a diagnosis in French or English;
- Present and defend, both orally and in writing, the elements of the diagnosis.
- Identify the institutional context and include the various stakeholders in the construction of solutions;
- Conduct a reflective analysis, taking into account the complexity of the challenges of ecological and solidarity-based transitions and uncertainty;
- Participate in the design of sustainable trajectories in different fields and on different scales (local, national, international);
- Tools for ecological planning;
- Defining an organization's environmental responsibility strategy;
- Propose public policy instruments adapted to the issues at stake ;
- Evaluate public policies for ecological and solidarity-based transitions and decision-making processes.
- Understand the elements of the diagnosis(es) ;
- Identify, collect and allocate human, technical and economic resources;
- Adapt implementation to stakeholders and the organization's level of maturity ;
- Plan implementation and intermediate milestones, adopting an iterative adjustment approach if necessary;
- Supporting those involved in organizational and sectoral change ;
- Ensure the follow-up and application of collective decisions related to the project;
- Produce an evaluation of the project.
- Identify and analyze decision-making methods and power relationships within and outside the organization;
- Promote innovative, democratic leadership and decision-making tools;
- Choose and adapt support methods according to the type of audience and objectives pursued;
- Ensure fair distribution of the floor and take into account the diversity of points of view;
- Articulating democratic decision-making processes and regulatory frameworks for greater efficiency;
- and/or compromise.
- Make innovative, science-based contributions to high-level exchanges and international contexts;
- Take into account vernacular and situated knowledge ;
- Translating expert knowledge into layman's terms;
- Produce deliverables, in French or English, of various kinds (articles for the general public, reports, policy papers, podcasts, conferences, etc.).
- Taking part in scientific and democratic controversies ;
- Adapt communication to the target audience, both written and spoken, in French and English;
- Formalize and support a point of view and defend it in order to win over the audience;
- Harness the knowledge, know-how and interpersonal skills required for ecological and solidarity-based transitions.
Contact
Educational managers:
Arnaud Buchs
Associate Professor (HDR) of Economics
Florent Gougou
Associate Professor of Political Science
Marie Lassalas
Associate Professor of Economics
Simon Persico
Full Professor of Political Science
Mail: transitions@iepg.fr