The Autumn School "Socio-Economic Strategies for Sustainable Development in Rural Africa,"jointly organized by the Graduate School Economics & Management at the University of Paris-Saclay (along with its research units, UMI-SOURCE and UMR PSAE) and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (including its College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and its Social Innovation Institute), will take place from October 27 to 31, 2025, on the Benguerir Campus (Morocco) of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. It aims to create an interdisciplinary exchange platform, bringing together researchers, PhD students, and professionals to stimulate innovation and strengthen the resilience of African rural territories in response to climate, food, and demographic challenges.

With the support of the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie, this first edition offers an advanced training program designed for PhD students involved in the analysis and support of the socio-economic transformation of rural Africa in the face of climate change.

Through a multidisciplinary and applied approach, this training program aims to:

• Explore innovative methodologies to strengthen the resilience of rural areas and agricultural sectors.
• Understand the interactions between resilience and well-being, integrating key dimensions such as gender, food security, natural resource governance, social justice, and climate.
• Promote knowledge co-construction between researchers and field actors, relying on real case studies and practical immersions.
• Develop a North-South academic and professional network, bringing together specialists from various disciplinary backgrounds.

This first edition will have the honor of welcoming Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan, an anthropologist specializing in development and governance in Africa, along with other distinguished experts (detailed program to be announced).

Doctoral students will benefit from thematic workshops, conferences, methodological training, and collaborative working sessions focused on concrete case studies (agricultural sectors, vulnerable territories, social innovation dynamics).

• 30 places available for PhD students in economics, management, sociology, geography, agronomy, environmental sciences and related disciplines.

• Selection criteria: relevance of the school to the doctoral thesis, interest in multidisciplinarity, commitment to the themes of resilience and rural development, as well as motivation and availability for active participation before and after the school. Doctoral students will be expected to do preparatory work (recommended readings, reflection on case studies) as well as post-school follow-up (reflective feedback and possible participation in scientific valorization productions).

• Participation fees: Participants must cover their own travel expenses. The consortium will cover on-site expenses (accommodation and meals from October 27 to 31, 2025). Participants from African countries may be granted (at least partial) coverage of their travel expenses, subject to examination of their applications, taking into account their country of origin and available budgetary resources.

📌 Applications open until April 25, 2025
⚠️ The following documents are required to complete your application: an academic CV (maximum 2 pages), a letter of support from your PhD supervisor, and a motivation letter explaining your interest in the thematic school.

👉Application Link

Join us for an immersive and collaborative academic experience at the heart of rural development challenges in Africa! 🌍✨

Socio-Economic Strategies for Sustainable Development in Rural Africa

 📅 Dates: October 27-31, 2025
📍 Location: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Benguérir Campus, Morocco
👥 Target Audience: 30 doctoral students in economics, management, geography, sociology, environmental sciences, agronomy, and related disciplines.
📢 Applications open until April 25, 2025

👉Application Link