PLUSA 2025

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.

At the core of this year’s Plusa are 24 workshops in which professors and specialists from the various schools of economic thought will work on specific political problems through the lens of different schools of thought. It will also be possible to lern more about many interesting universities in Germany.

In addition, we organize a program around the workshops that includes talks, 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 2026.)

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 topic of this year’s Summer Academy is ‘Just Another Change? – What continuity the socio-ecological transformation needs – and what it doesn’t need.’

We are living in an age of fundamental change. Not least the climate crisis has made this realisation an everyday experience worldwide. Familiar economic and social practices and values are being scrutinised. Questions about change and continuity make central problems visible and provide orientation: What characterises our economy, where do we want to go, what do we need to change and how can we do it? What should stay, what can go? Students, young academics and lecturers meet at the Summer Academy to discuss future models for economics and economic and social policy.

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.

The workshops are the centrepiece of the Summer Academy. They are designed to complement the neoclassical mainstream of economic thought by providing participants with additional and alternative perspectives. Each workshop is dedicated to a specific school of thought or economic topic.

During the week of the Summer Academy, participants can choose 6 of the 24 different workshops, which cover topics like feminist economics, development economics, degrowth, decolonising the economy and Marxist critique of political economy. The workshops will be 2 hours each, in which phases of interactive lectures, collaborative teamwork and individual work phases are possible. The respective experts (mostly young researchers) lead the workshop groups of approx. 24 participants.

The workshop groups work on a group result, which is presented to the other participants of the Summer Academy.

For more information on this year’s workshop topics click here.

The Open Spaces are time slots in which the participants themselves design the Summer Academy programme. You can present your own research and projects, discuss topics that are close to your heart and take part in other fun activities. While participation in these events is optional, we strongly recommend attending to experience the full programme.

The Summer Academy takes place for one week from Sunday 02 August to Saturday 09 August at the Alte Nudelfabrik in Zeitz near Leipzig.

Yes! The Summer Academy is open to both English and German speakers. The workshops will be held in both German and English and there will always be at leats one English workshop.

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 in Zeitz near Leipzig. There are many trains going to Zeitz train station. From there it is only a short 6-minute walk to Neue Werkstraße 4, 06712 Zeitz.

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 …€.

The participation fee includes board and lodging for a total of seven nights per person (3 – 9 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.