Environmental Challenges Facing Danube River basin

This BIP offers an interdisciplinary exploration of ecological, chemical, geographical, and socio‑economic challenges affecting one of Europe’s most important river systems. The programme is an evidence-based, student-centered approach aiming to engage students in research experiences focused on environmental challenges facing the Danube River basin. It consists of two interconnected activities, online and on-site (in-field), in the Danube River basin region: the Iron Gates, Danube Gorges. 

Guided by professors, both online and in the field, students will work together in international groups to develop problem-solving skills necessary to address real-world sustainability challenges and make a positive difference in their communities. 

During the field activity, students will engage in experience-based activities, by travelling to research sites along the Danube River basin and working together with scientists to carry out research on various environmental sustainability issues, including: geomorphology and slope stability, socio-economic issues, water chemical and microbiological status and biodiversity conservation. 

The collaborative work across disciplines will provide students the opportunity to develop their interdisciplinary competencies needed for addressing today's sustainability challenges. 

Course Overview

The course brings together students and academic staff from multiple CIVIS universities and combines virtual learning with intensive field‑based mobility in Romania. Students will learn about environmental problems in the Danube River Basin and suggest practical solutions by attending lectures, working on team projects, collecting samples in the field, analyzing data in the lab, and engaging with local community members.

The course is primarily addressed to bachelor‑level students in environmental sciences, biology, ecology, geography, chemistry, and related fields while also welcoming students from social sciences and humanities with an interest in sustainability and civic engagement.

Course Format

The program follows a blended structure, integrating virtual and physical components into a single coherent learning experience.

• online preparatory lectures introducing the Danube River Basin, research methods, and thematic challenges;
• interactive sessions and group work in multinational teams;
• online mentoring and follow‑up activities focused on data analysis, interpretation, and communication of result.

• fieldwork activities in the Danube River Basin (sampling, biodiversity assessment, geomorphological observations);
• laboratory analysis using contemporary methods and equipment;
• site visits and discussions with local stakeholders (environmental authorities, local administration, protected area managers);
• team‑based learning in an international and interdisciplinary setting.

Introductory lectures (online), which will be delivered before the field research activity:

• The Danube River Basin
• Historical Evolution of Danube River Valley in its Lower Sector
• Water Directive
• Pollution and nutrients
• Pollution sources and wastewater treatment
• The River Continuum Concept and the microbiological quality of the Danube River
• Faecal pollution and antibiotic resistance in rivers
• Site description and Field strategies and related issues
• Role of climate change to Deltas e.g. Delta evolution due to climate change,
• Climate change and precipitations (include modelling)
• Environmental imprint associated with digital devices and activities.

Field research activity (face-to-face):

• field and laboratory activities, data analysis, result interpretation, and science communication.

Post field component (online) consisting of a seminar and mentoring activities:

• seminar "How to prepare a presentation?! 
• data analysis, preparation of research reports and oral presentations.

By taking this course, the students will be able to:

• explain basic concepts and methodologies required for the assessment of the aquatic ecosystems’ health;
• elaborate evidence-based studies to identify environmental issues;
• advocate on environmental sustainability issues and recommend actions and solutions for supporting the policy-making process;
• describe methods for the assessment of the impact of climate changes and anthropogenic stressors on the ecosystems’ health;
• critically reflect on environmental issues;
• demonstrate insight on the impacts of society on ecosystems and human beings and in the need of(re)connecting people with the natural world;
• contribute to increasing awareness and propose initiatives and actions for promoting sustainability practicesthrough education and outreach to stakeholders.

The physical part of course will be held at the Faculty of Biology (University of Bucharest) and in Orșova, at the Orșova Geographical Research Station Center (of UB) between 19-23 April 2027.

The in-person segment of the programme uses a project-based learning. Multinational teams of students with different backgrounds will collaborate to carry out interdisciplinary research projects focusing on the ecological, social, and economic issues that impact the Danube River basin. 

The BIP challenge-driven project module will include:

• hands-on and team-based field research related to the ecology, biodiversity of the Danube River, and social and economic issues;
• training in specific field methods related to the assigned research topic;
• participation in discussions with relevant stakeholders (local authorities, environmental protection agency, Orșova shipyard, Administration of the Iron Gates Natural Park Iron Gate) on environmental-related topics;
• museum visits (Iron Gates Hydropower I Museum); 
• a post-field online project that encourages students to participate in environmental advocacy.

The virtual part of the course will be held between 11 March - 20 May 2027 and contains a preparatory module and a challenge-driven final project module, which both complement the practical (mobility week) module. The interconnected modules will meet key UN SDGs while bringing six universities to the forefront of civic engagement by addressing anthropogenic issues confronting the Danube River basin. 

1. The preparatory module (held each Thursday between 11.03.2027-15.04.2027, 16:00-18:00 CET) consists of lectures, which will be delivered before the experimental learning and will provide students with essential content required for the transdisciplinary learning experience. Before traveling, they will be familiarized with the research site, sampling strategies, methodologies, and various measured parameters: physical: pH, conductivity, oxygen, temperature; chemical: N species (total organic, inorganic), organic C (organic matter); metals; biological: invasive plant species, zoobenthos, microbial communities, pathogens; geomorphology, landscape, and soil evolution; GIS in field mapping.
2. The challenge-driven final project module (held each Thursday between 29.04.2027-20.05.2027, 16:00-18:00 CET) complements the practical module and includes both an oral and written component. The post-field online component of the program will engage students in the preparation and communication of their interdisciplinary research results using their own data on environmental issues facing the Danube River basin and propose solutions for stakeholders. Teams of students supported by mentors (academic staff) will analyze and interpret their own data (collected during the field research and lab activity) and prepare an oral presentation and a research report to be presented at the end of the program. Students will communicate their findings and propose initiatives and actions for promoting sustainability.

• active participation in virtual and physical activities;
• contribution to team‑based field research and data analysis;
• a group oral presentation of interdisciplinary results;
• a written group report analysing environmental data and proposing solutions relevant to the Danube River Basin.

Assessment focuses on the integration of scientific data, critical thinking, teamwork, and the ability to communicate results to both academic and non‑academic audiences. Successful completion of all components is required to obtain the awarded ECTS credits. 

Papers taken into consideration: 

• presentations prepared after the physical component;
• lab reports written after the physical component.

Motivation Letter

CV

Students’ applications will be evaluated based on the personal statement and academic reference and also the academic potential, motivation, and core skills required for the programme.

• Alain Veron, Senior Researcher in Environmental Geochemistry, CEREGE, Aix-Marseille Université
  
• Isabelle George, Professor in Ecology of Aquatic Systems, Université libre de Bruxelles
• Niki Evelpidou, Professor of Geomorphology and Geoinformatics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Anna Karkani, Researcher in Geology & Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
• Luminita Marutescu, Associate Professor in Microbial Ecology, University of Bucharest
• Corina Bradu, Professor of Environmental Chemistry, University of Bucharest
• Mihaela Verga, Lecturer of Geomorphology, University of Bucharest
• Radu-Daniel Pintilii, Associate professor in Human and Economic Geography, University of Bucharest
• Paulina Anastasiu, Professor of Botany, University of Bucharest
• Marian Marin, Associate Professor in Geography, University of Bucharest
• Ada Roseti, President of the SciPublicForum Association, which offers communication courses for researchers and organizes the annual Games of Science program. She is a PhD student at the University of Bucharest, where she teaches a transversal course on Communication of research results hosted by the Simion Mehedinți Doctoral School of the Faculty of Geography
• Isabelle Bernier, engineer, Professor of Applied Physics at the ENSAM Institute of Technology (Ministry of Education, France)
• Mbaye Moussa, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques / Department of Chemistry, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (Senegal)