Design+Science Summer School Ljubljana 2023

Ljubljana
10—14 July 2023

PARAINTELLIGENCE

University of Ljubljana, University of Split, FH Joanneum & PiNA

The term "para" means "beyond" or "beside" and, in the context of intelligence, refers to a type of intelligence that exists beyond what is traditionally recognized as intelligence, including notions such as intuition, creativity, and emotional intelligence that are often overlooked in traditional definitions of intelligence. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, refers to the intelligence displayed by machines that have been programmed to simulate human cognitive functions such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. When we think of intelligence, we usually think of anthropocentric cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, logic, and reasoning. However, intelligence is actually a complex and multifaceted concept that goes beyond these cognitive abilities. For example, fungi, such as the slime mold Physarum polycephalum, also exhibit intelligent behaviors such as navigation, memory, and adaptation. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities, this year we aim to redefine the definition of intelligence in order to understand and predict how it will evolve and what the consequences will be for human and non-human beings on this planet.

Applications are closed for the 2023 edition.

Apply now

About D+S
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Design+Science is a multidisciplinary Summer School that promotes exploration and experimentation at the intersection of design and various scientific fields, led by renowned experts in their respective fields. This week-long Summer School includes workshops, guest lectures, tours, and other activities.

The summer school approach is based on multidisciplinary group work. It is open to participants from the design field but also to all related practices such as architecture, art, computer sciences, social sciences, natural sciences and others. Both for master’s and PhD students and young professionals.

It is not based on a fixed design methodology and will be open and flexible enough to allow groups to develop their own path during the school work.

Location

Design+Science Summer School takes place in person at various locations in Ljubljana, Slovenia with the Academy of Fine Arts and Design Ljubljana being the main venue

Admissions

The course costs 300 eur. It includes all the materials, excursions, coffee breaks and lunch for the duration of the summer school. Participants are expected to organize their own travel & accommodation.
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In case you would like to participate, but you cannot afford the course fee, please, let us know in the application and explain your situation and we will approach you.

For the students from University of Split and FH Joanneum there is no course fee. They should as well contact their Universities regarding the traveling and accommodation fee.

Programme

Experts
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Stuart Walker
is a Professor and researcher. His main area of research is design for sustainability, exploring the inter-related issues of social equity, ethics and the spiritual, aesthetics, localization and the environment.

‍Eray Sertaç Ersayin
‍is engaged in integrating designers with the government and industry in Turkey through responsible production and consumption in various sectors.
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Laura Tripaldi
is a PhD scholar in Materials Science and Nanotechnology, who researches hybrid nanomaterials and writes about science and technology, with a focus on the intelligence of materials.

Eva Fischer
is an independent curator, cultural manager and lecturer in the field of experimental media, immersive art and art&technology.

Danica Sretenović
is a researcher, curator, educator and designer focusing on critical reading of contemporary spatial production, and the role of theoretical concepts, modes of presentation, and media in the construction of space.

‍Gaja Mežnarić Osole
‍works across the fields of design, ecology, and participation, creating space for questioning established management strategies in connection with our disturbed urban ecologies.

‍Saša Spačal
‍is a postmedia artist working at the intersection of living systems research, contemporary and sound art. Her work focuses primarily on the posthuman continuum.

Matevž Pogačnik
is a professor at Faculty of Electrical Engineering researching development of user experience in new technologies.

Uroš Krčadinac
is a Belgrade-based digital artist, technologist, writer, and educator interested in new ways of sensing and feeling the shared world of humans, networks, and data.
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Round table
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Francesco Ermanno Guida
‍is a professor at the design department at Politecnico di Milano.

‍Mia Roth-Čerina
‍is a Croatian architect and educator, her primary interests are educational buildings, spaces for achieving social standards, public space and architectural education.

Karl Stocker (moderator)
is a culture and design consultant, speaker and networker from Graz.

Eray Sertaç Ersayin
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Ivica Mitrović

Design mentors
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Ivica Mitrović
Head of the Visual Communication Department at the Arts Academy, University of Split. He is dealing with speculative scenarios of the near future.

Sigrid Buerstmayr
Specialist in exhibition design and sustainable design and teaches at FH JOANNEUM.
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Nejc Prah
‍Freelance designer working mostly within the cultural sector and teaches at UL ALUO.
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Emil Kozole
‍‍Designer working with emerging technologies and teaches at UL ALUO.
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Organising team
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Boštjan Botas Kenda
Maja Drobne
Borut Jerman
Jernej Kejžar
Marina Klemenčič
Emil Kozole
Ana Markežič
Sigrid Bürstmayr
Birgit Bachler
Daniel Fabry
Ivica Mitrović
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Key facts

Admissions

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Applications for 2023 open on May 3rd.

The course costs 300 eur. It includes all the materials, excursions, coffee breaks and lunch for the duration of the summer school. Participants are expected to organize their own travel & accommodation.

In case you would like to participate, but you cannot afford the course fee, please, let us know in the application and explain your situation and we will approach you.

For the students from University of Split and FH Joanneum there is no course fee. They should as well contact their Universities regarding the traveling and accommodation fee.

Who can participate?

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Anyone who would like to deepen their understanding of the reasons behind the current hype surrounding cohabitation.

Participants are not expected to be experts in the field of visual communication; on the contrary, researchers from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities are invited to participate. There is also no restriction in terms of status: MSc and PhD students are welcome, as are creatives and entrepreneurs working in various fields who want to expand their expertise with knowledge at the intersection of design and science.

The language of this Summer School is English, so a good command of spoken and written English is expected.

How to apply and when to expect the participation to be confirmed?

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To start, please complete the application form which includes your contact details and a short CV which should give us some initial information about your background. Within the application, you will also be asked to answer a specific question designed to immerse you in the field of of paraintelligence and prepare you for the experiences that await you at Summer School. Applications are open until June 2nd and you will be notified by June 12th if your application was successful. All further information will follow after that.

What will be the outcomes of the Design+Science Summer School?

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The aim of this Summer School is to sharpen participants' knowledge, skills, understanding and intelligence in this emerging field through guided training over the duration of Summer School.

Participants will be expected to present their part-projects on the last day of Summer School as well as turn in their completed work afterwards. All projects will be included in a book. For the successful completion of the programme, participants who are students can receive 3 ECTS credits.

Applications are closed for the 2023 edition.

Apply now

2022 Edition:
Cohabitation‍

An estimated 8.7 million species populate planet Earth today. We, humans, are the only representatives of at least eight other human species that existed with us 300,000 years ago. Due to our imperative for progress, we are in the process of wiping out one species after another, making us, humans, the dominant species on this planet.
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