PLUSA 2024

The Summer Academy for Pluralist Economics is an event by and for people who believe that economics has more to offer than the current curriculum suggests. The Summer Academy offers interested students the opportunity to engage with heterodox economics and to initiate a debate on whether and how these approaches can complement, challenge or change the economic mainstream.

The core of this year’s Summer Academy is the simulation game „Readyfor55 – Economic Policy on the Road to Climate Neutrality.“ Here you can slip into the role of various institutions and work on solutions to specific political problems through the lens of different schools of thought. 

In addition, we organize a program around the simulation that includes talks, workshops, open spaces and networking opportunities. In this way, participants can get in touch with each other and exchange ideas about the topic of the Summer Academy, their workshops and their views on the economy. (There will also be the opportunity to participate in the planning of the Summer Academy 2025.)

In recent years, the Netzwerk Plurale Ökonomik e.V. has developed into a dynamic movement of students and young scholars that plays a key role in shaping debates on the current state and future of economics as an academic discipline and in public discourse. It is our goal, to give room for the variety of economic theories and concepts, to give priority to the solution of real problems and promote an economic thinking that is self-reflective and open. With that in mind we realize projects like our e-learning platform Exploring Economics, the Pluralist Certificate or the Pluralist Summer Academy.

The planning of the Summer Academy is in the hands of an organizational team composed of volunteers who have (mostly) participated in previous editions of the Summer Academy.

The theme of this year’s Summer Academy is „Bridging perspectives, building solutions – overcome differences for EU climate action!“

We live in a time in which difficult compromises have to be made. However, it is not all too rare for a single school of thought to dominate the (economic) political debate, which seems to prevail against all kinds of objections. In the simulation game, we want to simulate the political decision-making process, but enrich it with a wide and relevant range of economic schools of thought. Side events will accompany the simulation game and help the participants to gain more skills and learn more about real-world challenges when it comes to transformational processes needed.

The group work of the simulation game is the centerpiece of the summer academy. It is designed to complement the neoclassical mainstream of economic thinking by giving the participants a specific perspective on the topic of ‘sustainable transformation’ in their roles. Each role is dedicated to a specific school of thought or economic topic.

In the application for the Summer Academy, participants can apply for one of the six different roles or institutions as: Government, Employers‘ Organisations/PluraBusiness, Unions/LabourAssembly or NGOs such as GenderEquality, EcoAssociation and EconomicJustice. You will find more information on these roles on the main website.

Before the meeting in Berlin there will be an an introductory meeting and a  preparatory period in which all groups prepare their roles and a policy paper. This period will start at the end of July / beginning of August. Coming together at the Summer Academy, the groups present their policy paper in a Climate Conference and then work on presentations, ideas and compromises throughout the week. The entire work process then culminates in a Future Summit where all groups come together.

No, during the course of the game you will get to know the main ideas and perspectives of every school of thought that is part of the simulation game: Neoclassical Economics, Postkeynesian Economics, Ecological Economics, Feminist Economics and Marxist Economics. Through discussions, negotiations and the formation of coalitions with other groups and your own preparations of arguments you will get insights into the pluralism of economic perspectives and their similarities and differences. You will learn how to approach one specific challenge like climate action from different points of view and how these views are compatible or in competition to each other.

The Summer Academy takes place for one week from Sunday 25 August to Sunday 1 September at the Alte Feuerwache in Berlin.

Yes! The Summer Academy is open to both English and German speakers. The simulation game will be held in English, but we will help with translations if needed. We want to make the Summer Academy a safe space for everyone and break down any language barriers to be as accessible as possible.

The accommodation is located to the east of Berlin Central Station. From the main station, travel to Alexanderplatz. Then take bus 248 to Lindenstraße/Oranienstraße. From there it is only a short 4-minute walk to Axel-Springer-Straße 40-41.

Applications can be submitted from 1 June to 30 June. We expressly invite people from all disciplines to apply, as long as they can communicate in German or English and are interested in immersing themselves in heterodox economics for a week.

Applicants must complete our application form which you can find on the main website.

As every year, we charge a participation fee for the PLUSA. The participation fee for this year will be 80€.

The participation fee includes board and lodging for a total of seven nights per person (25 August – 1 September) and helps us to cover the part of the costs for teaching and evening events for which our funding is not sufficient.

We recognise that this fee may be a financial burden and want to make it possible for everyone to attend PLUSA regardless of their financial means. Therefore, we have limited options to offer a solidarity price in cases of hardship. Please contact s.johannes@plurale-oekonomik.de for more information.

It is not sure yet whether we can cover travel costs.

If you are interested, it is possible to receive 2 ECTS points for your participation in the Summer Academy. This certificate is optional and can be recognised at your university.

Everyone is welcome to apply for the summer academy. However, the same content is covered as in the certificate course, which is why participation in this year’s Summer Academy could be a little redundant for you. If you still consider taking part again, get in touch with s.johannes@plurale-oekonomik.de.

Please send an e-mail to s.johannes@plurale-oekonomik.de and we will support you with any questions or problems you may have.