Summer School on Informatics Education Research (SCHIER)
- Ready to explore innovative teaching and learning methods in/for the digital age?
- Eager to connect with like-minded Informatics Education researchers and build lasting collaborations?
- Keen to learn cutting-edge research methods and practical skills for impactful work in Informatics Education?
The only Summer School in Europe dedicated to Informatics Education Research!
SCHIER 2025: application opens now!
About SCHIER
SCHIER is an ideal venue for PhD students interested in Informatics Education Research. Post-docs and other researchers interested in exploring the issues and challenges involved in this field are equally welcome.
A Recommendation of the Council of the EU highlights the urgent need for investing in Informatics Education in schools, emphasizing quality teaching methods, resources, and gender-balanced representation. Despite the presence of scattered individuals in the field, there's a lack of cohesive networking for Informatics Education Research across Europe, leading to fragmented communities and limited knowledge sharing.
The SCHIER summer school series seeks to fill this void as the first and only European PhD school to focus on providing a comprehensive set of lectures on a broad range of topics which need to be mastered to do research in Informatics Education. The lectures are held by well-known international experts in their fields, and the residential format fosters collaboration among participants to establish a robust European Informatics Education Research community.
To read more about the SCHIER initiative in full, please click here.
Upcoming Cohort: SCHIER 2025
The second edition of SCHIER will take place from 8 September to 12 September 2025.
This edition is again supported by IBM Research Europe, organized by members of IE Education Research Working Group and hosted at UCLouvain in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Application opens now - full details here.
What SCHIER Participants Say
"Excellent opportunity to get a comprehensive view of the scientific aspects of Informatics education and to build a network of researchers."
Sara Capecchi, University of Turin (Italy)
"Very good for PhD students at the beginning of their study. Interesting topics and a very good place for networking with experts in their fields. Overall I feel full of new ideas for my research journey."
Jakub Krcho, Comenius University Bratislava (Slovakia)
"Highly prolific time with great talks and enlightenment moments that generated nice ideas for the future."
Natalia Silvis-Cividjian, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
"It is a good opportunity to find contacts from other countries and hear what is being done in your field."
Hanna Toom, Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia)
"Fruitful, informative, network sharing. Thank you indeed. You welcomed us with a smiling face and guided us well and in a helpful way during the organisation."
Emel TOPÇU, Bahçeşehir University (Turkey)
"It offers a deep dive into the subject with expert instructors, hands-on activities, and the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals, all of which make it an incredibly valuable learning experience."
Drishti Yadav, TU Wien (Austria)
"Very valuable opportunity to learn several aspects about the (Informatics Education Research) field. Excellent choice of topics and speakers. Hope to have new editions!"
Abuzer Yakaryilmaz, University of Latvia (Latvia)
More about previous SCHIER cohorts here.
FAQs
Eligibility & Registration
Who can participate in SCHIER?
SCHIER is addressed mainly to PhD students from all over the world wishing to work in the area of Informatics Education Research, but also to post-doctorates and other researchers interested to learn more about topics and challenges in this field. Participants specializing in other fields relevant to Informatics and/or Education are welcome. In exceptional cases, undergraduates are also welcome to participate.
Do I need a visa to participate in SCHIER?
Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to enter the country where SCHIER takes place. All visa and travel arrangements are the responsibility of the participant and must be completed before arrival.
Is accommodation provided by the host of SCHIER?
SCHIER participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation themselves, which is not included in the basic registration fee. A list of recommended options is generally shared on the upcoming cohort webpage or communicated to admitted participants.
Program & Structure
What are the differences between the SCHIER curriculum and the research training I receive from other universities?
SCHIER is an intensive 5-day program that provides a concentrated learning experience with focused instruction from renowned international experts in Informatics Education Research, offering immediate insights and practical skills. There is no other international school like this in Europe. SCHIER offers international networking opportunities, connecting participants with experts and peers across Europe and beyond to exchange ideas and broaden their professional horizons in this area.
Which language will SCHIER be held in?
SCHIER will be held in English. Applicants are not required to hold formal qualifications in English to take part in SCHIER.
Do I have to present a research contribution of my own at SCHIER?
Participants attending SCHIER will be asked to present one possible research topic, on which they plan to work or have already started to work, for encouraging joint discussions and group work. They may also be asked to present a poster and presentation(s) during the event.
Will I receive a certificate for participation in SCHIER?
Yes, but an attendance of at least 4 of all 5 days is required for a certificate to be issued. The certificate will be issued by Informatics Europe.
Can I obtain any ECTS credits by participating in SCHIER?
- It will be up to the participant's home institution to decide how many ECTS credits will be awarded through attending SCHIER, but the SCHIER organising committee can:
- Provide any necessary information to help the university of origin evaluate SCHIER.
- Provide the participant with a Certificate of Participation (soft copy only), stating the courses attended and the number of hours completed.
- It will be the responsibility of participants to contact the Registrar/Academic Secretary/Study Abroad Office of their home institutions to check how the hours completed and the grades obtained, if any, can be transferred into official credits.
Contact Us
For any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
SCHIER is co-organised by the IE Education Research Working Group and the local host institution, with sponsorship from IBM Research Europe.