Picture of a forest
19 Apr

Göteborg/Uppsala

Advances in life cycle assessment, 5 HEC

Image of subjects within which you can use LCA

This course gives an in-depth orientation of LCA. It includes a broad range of LCA-related topics: the methodology, its application, its relation to other assessment tools, its role in decision-processes, etc. It is a collaboration between the research school Sustainable Biomass Systems at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the partner universities within the Swedish Life Cycle Center (SLC).

Objectives

The objective of this course is to give the student a broad view of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology and application, including knowledge on state-of-the-art research in selected areas, disseminate the expertise and experiences of senior LCA researchers to a new generation of PhD students, and help the PhD students create an informal network of young LCA researchers.

Outline of Content

The course combines seminars led by senior LCA researchers with student-centered discussions and activites.
During the seminars, senior researchers will present and problematise methodological approaches and applications of LCA, based on their experiences in research and application of life cycle thinking in various areas.

If possible, the course will consist of two weeks of gatherings on campus, with the first week in Gothenburg and the second week in Uppsala. All students will also engage actively in group work as well as individually prepare a poster that focuses on their research project.

This course contributes to creating an informal network of PhD students and young researchers. During meetings, students participate in group discussions where they get a chance to learn from each other’s experiences, reflect on their own and others’ research in view of earlier and current LCA research, and discuss limitations and possibilities for future development of their work. The students will also present their current and planned work to others. An important aspect of the meetings is also to engage in networking activities.

Outline of Schedule

The two physical gathering will take place in April and May of 2021. Each day will consist of both senior researcher led seminars and student-centered activities.
In between the meetings all students will work individually and in groups to prepare for the presentations during the second week of physical gathering.
Course litterature will be announced prior to course start.

Locations

The first week will be held in Gothenburg, at Chalmers University of Technology.

The second week will be held in Uppsala, at the SLU campus.

Required previous knowledge

To be admitted to the course the student must be admitted to third-cycle education in a topic of relevance for the course. The student must also have completed an undergraduate or graduate LCA course, have significant experience from the use of LCA, or be able to demonstrate similar competence

Language

English

Participants

The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 25 students.

Exam requirements

The following is required to complete the course:

  • Attend minimum 75% of scheduled activities
  • Participate actively in discussions during scheduled activities.
  • Prepare and present a group project about LCA research development in a broad perspective
  • Prepare and present an individual project about the student’s own work in view of areas covered in the course

Facts

Time: 2021-04-19 09:00
City: Göteborg/Uppsala
Organiser: Research school Sustainable Biomass Systems at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the partner universities within the Swedish Life Cycle Center (SLC)
Additional info:

Application

To apply to the course, please send an email to Niclas Ericsson at niclas.ericsson@slu.se with an attached document indicating your current affiliation, the name and a short description of your PhD project and a list of completed undergraduate/graduate LCA courses (include syllabus as attachment) or other means of demonstrating significant experience of the use of LCA.

Course leaders

Niclas Ericsson
Dept. of Energy and Technology, SLU
Phone: +46 (0)18-67 18 43
E-mail: niclas.ericsson@slu.se,

Tomas Ekvall
Chalmers University of Technology
E-mail: tomase@chalmers.se