GeoHeritage and Communities: Participatory Pathways to Conservation

The BIP explores the relationships between geology, biodiversity, and cultural heritage through an interdisciplinary, field-based approach. The programme combines a virtual learning phase with a five-day field mobility in the Bănița karst area and the Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark, Romania.

Students investigate how landscapes evolve across deep time and how geological processes, cave ecosystems, fossil discoveries, and local cultural traditions shape contemporary heritage. Working in international and multidisciplinary teams, participants engage in field research, participatory workshops, and challenge-based projects alongside academics, geopark professionals, researchers, and local communities.

The course integrates perspectives from geology, palaeontology, biology, geography, anthropology, and heritage studies, equipping students with practical skills in interdisciplinary research, heritage interpretation, community engagement, and science communication. Through co-creating interpretive products for real stakeholders, participants gain hands-on experience in addressing contemporary challenges in geoheritage conservation and sustainable landscape management.

The programme is intended for advanced Bachelor, Master’s, and PhD students interested in Earth sciences, environmental studies, cultural heritage, and community-based conservation. It is taught entirely in English and awards 6 ECTS upon successful completion.

Context

“GeoHeritage and Communities: Participatory Pathways to Conservation” aligns directly with CIVIS Hub 2: Society, Culture, Heritage, by examining how geological, ecological, and cultural dimensions interact in shaping landscapes and lived identities. 

The programme uses the Bănița karst area and the Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark (managed directly by the University of Bucharest) as a transdisciplinary case study where deep-time Earth processes, biodiversity, and living cultural traditions converge. By integrating geology, biology, anthropology, and heritage studies, the BIP engages students in analysing how societies value, interpret, and conserve geoheritage in changing social and environmental contexts.

The project reflects CIVIS’s core mission and values through its explicit commitment to interdisciplinarity, civic engagement, inclusivity, and sustainability. Its design brings together students and staff from multiple academic backgrounds and universities to address a real-world challenge: how to communicate complex geoheritage narratives in ways that are scientifically robust, culturally sensitive, and socially meaningful. 

The programme engages directly with local cultural representatives, particularly from the momârlani community, ensuring that teaching is grounded in lived experiences and practices. This cooperative approach embodies CIVIS’s emphasis on participatory education, co-creation with society, and mutual learning across cultures and disciplines. 

Sustainability is embedded through the focus on community-based conservation, responsible heritage interpretation, and the long-term role of UNESCO Global Geoparks as educational environments.

The added value of this BIP lies in its innovative bridging of deep-time scientific knowledge with contemporary cultural and ecological realities. Few existing university courses allow students to travel across 72 million years of Earth history while simultaneously engaging with living heritage and local communities. 

The programme fills a pedagogical gap by offering:

• a rare combination of geological, biological, and anthropological field learning;
• structured participatory engagement with local stakeholders; 
• and hands-on co-creation of heritage communication products with immediate practical relevance for the Geopark.

This approach provides experiential learning not commonly available in traditional curricula and promotes skills in interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical engagement, and science communication.

The project supports key principles of the European Education Area (EEA) by enhancing cross-border mobility, fostering transdisciplinary knowledge, and strengthening cooperation between universities, research institutes, and societal actors. It responds to EEA priorities related to quality, inclusion, and innovation in higher education, particularly by offering flexible blended mobility and meaningful engagement with communities in rural regions.

At a broader level, the BIP addresses significant European and global challenges, including biodiversity loss, heritage endangerment, cultural marginalisation, and the need for integrated approaches to sustainability. Geoparks serve as critical platforms for linking geodiversity with cultural resilience and local development.

By training students to navigate the interface between Earth systems and human societies, the programme contributes to the development of future professionals capable of addressing complex challenges in heritage conservation, climate adaptation, and landscape governance across Europe and beyond.

The BIP develops interdisciplinary competencies linking geology, biology, and cultural heritage, using the Bănița karst area and the Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark as a living laboratories. 

Its objectives are to equip students with a deep-time understanding of landscape evolution - integrating geomorphology, palaeontology, cave ecology, and cultural history - and to build research skills combining geological and biological field methods with ethnographic and participatory approaches. 

The programme fosters civic engagement and cross-cultural collaboration through co-creation with local communities, particularly the momârlani cultural group. It enhances students’ ability to communicate complex geoheritage narratives through inclusive and accessible interpretive tools. 

The BIP also strengthens cooperation among CIVIS universities, UNESCO Global Geoparks, research institutes, and community organisations, and contributes to the CIVIS mission by addressing societal, cultural, and environmental challenges through transnational, interdisciplinary, and participatory learning.

 At the end of the course, the participants are expected to have developed the abilities to:

1. analyse geoheritage landscapes across deep time, integrating karst geomorphology, fossil evidence, biodiversity patterns and cultural traditions;
2. apply interdisciplinary methods from geology, biology and the social sciences to investigate and interpret the Bănița area and the Hațeg Country Geopark;
3. explain the relationships between Earth history, ecological processes and living cultural practices, with attention to local community perspectives;
4. use participatory and community-engaged approaches to document, evaluate and communicate geoheritage values ethically and inclusively;
5. co-create an interpretive or educational product that translates scientific and cultural knowledge into accessible heritage communication tools;
6. work effectively in transnational, multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating collaboration, problem-solving and intercultural communication skills;
7. reflect critically on the role of geoparks and community-based conservation in addressing contemporary environmental and heritage challenges.

The physical component consists of an intensive five-day field programme in the Bănița karst area and the Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark, designed as a “living laboratories” where students apply and integrate the knowledge acquired during the virtual phase. Activities combine geological, biological, and cultural investigations, supporting interdisciplinary learning and meaningful intercultural exchange.

Students begin with orientation sessions that introduce the region’s geomorphology and deep-time evolution. Field lectures and guided walks led by geologists and palaeontologists allow students to observe karst formations, examine fossil-bearing strata, and reconstruct ancient landscapes, reinforcing objectives related to deep-time understanding and Earth-system analysis. Visits to key sites such as the Crivadiatherium locality and dinosaur beds enable hands-on interpretation of palaeoenvironmental processes.

Biological activities include guided cave visits with researchers from the Emil Racoviță Institute, where students explore cave ecosystems, observe bat species, and participate in biodiversity monitoring demonstrations. These sessions enhance ecological literacy and illustrate how living systems respond to long-term geological change.

Cultural and participatory heritage activities are facilitated by the Hațeg Geopark, the Municipality of Bănița, and momârlani representatives. Workshops focus on cultural landscapes, local practices, and traditional ecological knowledge. Students engage in participatory mapping, ethnographic observation, and dialogue sessions, supporting objectives related to civic engagement, inclusivity, and intercultural understanding.

Throughout the field component, students work in multinational, multidisciplinary teams to collect data for their challenge-based project. Daily synthesis meetings and co-creation sessions help teams combine geological, ecological, and cultural evidence into an interpretive product (e.g., a storymap, exhibit concept, or educational module). Interaction with local stakeholders and international geopark experts promotes intercultural exchange and contextual understanding of heritage governance.

Day 1 – Introduction to the Geopark & Karst Landscape (8 hours)

• Welcome, safety briefing, orientation – 1 h
• Introductory lecture: Bănița karst geomorphology – 2 h
• Field observations: karst formations & landscape reading – 3 h
• Group discussion & reflective synthesis – 1 h
• Team planning session for data collection – 1 h

Day 2 – Fossils, Deep Time & Geological Interpretation (8 hours)

• Field visit: Crivadiatherium site & fossil-bearing strata – 3 h
• Hands-on palaeoenvironment reconstruction – 2 h
• Geological mapping & sampling demonstration – 2 h
• Teamwork: deep-time storytelling – 1 h

Day 3 – Cave Ecosystems, Biodiversity & Speleology (8 hours)

• Guided cave visit with Emil Racoviță Institute – 3 h
• Bat ecology & biodiversity monitoring workshop – 3 h
• Ecological data interpretation session – 1 h
• Teamwork: integration of ecological findings – 1 h

Day 4 – Cultural Landscapes, Heritage & Community Engagement (8 hours)

• Workshop with momârlani representatives – 3 h
• Participatory mapping & cultural interpretation – 2 h
• Applied heritage communication workshop – 2 h
• Team co-creation session (project development) – 1 h

Day 5 – Integration, Co-Creation & Presentation (8 hours)

• Field-based integration exercise – 2 h
• Co-creation: finalising interpretive outputs – 3 h
• Final presentations to Geopark & stakeholders – 2 h
• Collective debrief & programme evaluation – 1 h

The virtual component prepares students for the field experience and ensures a shared interdisciplinary foundation across geology, biology, and cultural heritage.

Online Lectures and Thematic Introductions (Learning Outcomes 1 and 2):

• Understanding karst processes and fossil assemblages
• Exploring deep-time ecosystems and human–environment relations
• Examining cave biodiversity and bat conservation
• Analysing cultural landscapes, participatory methods, and geopark governance
• Comparative case studies of karst heritage in European and global geoparks 
  

Interdisciplinary Skills Workshops (Learning Outcomes 4 and 5):

• Ethical community engagement
• Heritage communication principles
• Basic GIS/storymapping tools

Team Formation and Collaborative Tasks (Learning Outcome 6):

• A short comparative case study on karst heritage in Europe
• A pre-fieldwork “challenge brief” defining their project focus

Preparatory Readings and Reflections (Learning Outcomes 3 and 7):

• Students receive curated scientific and cultural materials on the Bănița and Hațeg regions. Short reflective prompts prepare them to link deep-time scientific narratives with present-day cultural perspectives

Week 1 – Deep-Time Foundations (12 hours)

• Session 1 – Programme introduction & team formation (2h)
• Session 2 – Karst geomorphology of Bănița (3h)
• Session 3 – Palaeontology & deep-time evolution (Crivadiatherium, dinosaurs) (3h)
• Session 4 – Geological methods for field investigation (2h)
• Session 5 – Q&A and guided team planning (2h)

Week 2 – Ecology, Biology & Conservation (12 hours)

• Session 6 – Cave ecosystems & bat biodiversity (3h)
• Session 7 – Biodiversity monitoring methods (2h)
• Session 8 – Human–environment interactions across 72 million years (3h)
• Session 9 – Conservation challenges & geopark ecology (2h)
• Session 10 – Team working session with ecological mentors (2h)

Week 3 – Cultural Heritage, Governance & Participatory Methods (12 hours)

• Session 11 – Cultural landscapes & momârlani heritage (3h)
• Session 12 – Ethnographic and participatory methods workshop (3h)
• Session 13 – Heritage governance & UNESCO Geopark missions (2h)
• Session 14 – Case studies from Lavreotiki & Swabian Alb Geoparks (2h)
• Session 15 – Group dialogue session with community partners (2h)

Week 4 – Skills Development, Co-Design & Preparation (12 hours)

• Session 16 – Heritage communication & interpretation workshop (3h)
• Session 17 – GIS/ Storymapping tools applied to geoheritage (3h)
• Session 18 – Co-design lab with Hațeg Geopark staff (2h)
• Session 19 – Team presentation of pre-field “challenge briefs” (2h)
• Session 20 – Final pre-field briefing & safety orientation (2h)

+ Virtual symposium presentations: 2 hours

The virtual component ensures that all participants enter the field with:

• a shared scientific and cultural knowledge base (LO 1–3);
• familiarity with interdisciplinary and participatory methods (LO 2, 4);
• early experience working in multinational, multidisciplinary teams (LO 6);
• the conceptual tools needed to design meaningful heritage communication outputs (LO 5);
• reflective awareness of geopark missions and community-based conservation (LO 7).   

Assessment is continuous and integrated across the virtual, physical, and follow-up components to reflect the programme’s interdisciplinary and participatory nature. The main method of evaluation is a group project, in which international teams co-create a heritage communication product (e.g., storymap, micro-exhibit, educational module).

This output is assessed based on its scientific accuracy, cultural sensitivity, clarity of interpretation, and effective integration of geological, biological, and socio-cultural perspectives. It directly reflects Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6.

Students also complete an individual reflective assignment, analysing their learning process, ethical considerations, and understanding of deep-time landscapes and community-based conservation. This aligns with Learning Outcomes 3 and 7.

During the field component, students are evaluated on participation, teamwork, and engagement in field and community activities, ensuring active contribution to the collective learning process.

A final online presentation during the virtual symposium allows teams to communicate their results to lecturers, Geopark staff, and community partners. This assesses communication, synthesis and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Feedback is provided throughout the programme via mentoring sessions, daily field debriefs, written comments on intermediate tasks and oral feedback after presentations. This iterative feedback supports student growth and ensures alignment with the workload and learning outcomes.

Motivation Letter

Level of english (According to CEFR)

CV

A demonstrated interest in geoheritage, cultural landscapes, sustainability, or community engagement is expected.

The programme is delivered by an international team of academics and practitioners from the University of Bucharest, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, together with experts from UNESCO Global Geoparks and leading Romanian research institutions.

The teaching team combines expertise in geology, geomorphology, palaeontology, cave biology, human geography, anthropology, heritage studies, and community engagement. 

Lecturers are joined by specialists from the Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark, Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark, Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark, Emil Racoviță Institute of Speleology, National Peasant’s Museum, and other partner organisations, providing students with direct access to both academic research and professional practice.

This interdisciplinary team offers a unique learning experience that connects scientific knowledge, cultural heritage, and participatory conservation in one of Europe's most remarkable geoheritage landscapes.

• Dr. Cristian Ciobanu, University of Bucharest - Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark is a Geographer and the Coordinator of the Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark. His work focuses on geoconservation, geoheritage interpretation, geoparks, science communication, education, and sustainable development. He contributes to interdisciplinary research and international projects that connect geosciences with society through participatory approaches to heritage conservation and education. 
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zoltán Csiki-Sava, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics is a palaeontologist and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest. His research centres on vertebrate palaeontology, particularly the Late Cretaceous fossil faunas of Romania, including the famous Hațeg dinosaurs. He teaches palaeontology and has made significant contributions to the study of Cretaceous vertebrate evolution and palaeobiodiversity. 
• Dr. Sibylle Wolf, University of Tübingen – Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment is Scientific Coordinator and Research Associate at the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment, University of Tübingen. Her research focuses on Prehistory, particularly the interaction between humans and the environment during the Ice Age. Her interests include mammoth exploitation, experimental archaeology, Palaeolithic art, ornaments, osseous technologies, archaeological excavations, and museum exhibitions.
• Prof. Dr. Efterpi Koskeridou, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment is Professor of Palaeontology at the Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her teaching and research focus on palaeontology, palaeoecology, micropalaeontology, biostratigraphy, palaeobiogeography, and geoheritage. She has participated in numerous national and international research projects and contributes to the promotion of geological heritage through research, education and public outreach.
• Prof. María Carmen Hidalgo Giralt, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Department of Geography is Associate Professor of Human Geography at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. She teaches in the degrees in Tourism and Geography, Geotechnologies and Sustainability, and in the 4Cities Master's programme. Her research focuses on cities and globalisation, geographies of consumption, critical tourism geography, and the promotion of cultural heritage, particularly industrial heritage.
• Dr. Chris Baumann, University of Tübingen – Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment is a postdoctoral researcher at the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment, University of Tübingen. His research applies stable isotope analysis to investigate Late Pleistocene ecosystems, trophic interactions, and human–animal relationships. His work combines archaeological science, biogeology, and geochemistry to reconstruct past environments and explore the ecological context of human evolution. 
• Prof. Dr. habil. Heidi Elisabeth Megerle, Rottenburg University of Applied Forest Sciences is Professor of Applied Geography and Planning at Rottenburg University of Applied Forest Sciences, where she leads the Bachelor's programme in Water Resource Management. Her teaching and research encompass human geography, spatial and environmental planning, tourism, regional development, and sustainable development. She serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of the Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark and is actively involved in several professional organisations in geography and regional planning. 
• Isidoros Kampolis, Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark / National Technical University of Athens is a geologist and doctoral researcher at the National Technical University of Athens, working closely with Lavreotiki UNESCO Global Geopark. His interests include geoheritage conservation, geological mapping, mining heritage, geopark management and geoscience communication. He actively develops educational programmes linking geology, local communities, and sustainable development. 
• Lect. Dr. Iulian Popa, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics is a Lecturer in the Department of Geological Engineering and Geophysics at the University of Bucharest, where he also serves as Department Director. His expertise includes hydrogeology, groundwater quality, contaminant transport mechanisms, and groundwater flow and transport modelling. He teaches courses in general hydrogeology, groundwater pollution and protection, groundwater dynamics, aquifer testing, and groundwater conservation, and is an active member of the Romanian Association of Hydrogeologists and the International Association of Hydrogeologists.
• Dr. Mihaela Roca, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics is a lecturer at the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest. Her research focuses on sedimentology, carbonate depositional systems, GIS applications in geology and geological heritage. She combines field-based geological research with spatial analysis and geoinformation technologies to investigate sedimentary environments and support geological mapping, geoheritage assessment, and Earth science education.
• Dr. Alexandru Andrășanu, University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics/ Romanian National Geoparks Forum has been actively involved in geological heritage conservation, geopark development and geoeducation for more than three decades. His work has contributed to the establishment and international development of UNESCO Global Geoparks through teaching, research, and the coordination of numerous national and international projects.
• drd.Cristina Toma, University of Bucharest – Hațeg Country UNESCO Global Geopark is a researcher at the University of Bucharest's and a specialist in geoheritage interpretation and geoconservation. Her work supports the UNESCO Global Geoparks Programme through projects in heritage interpretation, science communication, education for sustainable development, and community engagement. She contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives that promote the conservation and communication of geological and cultural heritage.
• Dr. Ioana Otilia Baskerville, Romanian Academy, Iași Branch – Department of Humanities and Social Sciences is a Senior Researcher at the Romanian Academy, Iași Branch, and teaches cultural anthropology. She holds degrees in linguistics and ethnology and is an accredited facilitator for the implementation of the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Her professional work focuses on community-based inventorying of intangible cultural heritage, safeguarding strategies, community participation, and the integration of living heritage into education, local development, and sustainable cultural policies. She has extensive international experience supporting public institutions and civil society in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
• Robert Eleș, Grădiștea Muncelului–Cioclovina Natural Park is a biologist and conservation specialist at Grădiștea Muncelului–Cioclovina Natural Park. His work focuses on biodiversity conservation, protected area management, cave ecosystems and bat monitoring. He has extensive field experience in ecological surveys and environmental education and actively contributes to conservation initiatives in the Șureanu Mountains and the Hațeg region.
• Anca Rusu, Hațeg Country Ecotourism Destination Management Unit is the Manager of the Hațeg Country Ecotourism Destination Management Unit, where she coordinates initiatives that promote sustainable tourism, destination development, and collaboration among local stakeholders. She works closely with public authorities, businesses, protected areas, and community organisations to strengthen the region's tourism offer, enhance visitor experiences, and support the conservation and promotion of the natural and cultural heritage of the Hațeg Country through sustainable destination management.

Blended Intensive Programme

This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP): a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe.

GDPR Consent

The CIVIS alliance and its member universities will treat the information you provide with respect. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information on our privacy practices. By applying to this course you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.