Course overview
Research in life cycle assessment (LCA) and material flow analysis (MFA) has exploded in the last ten years, and the power, flexibility, and availability of open source tools and data has as well. In this course, we will couple ODYM and Brightway, and see how the combination can both inspire and improve the methods and results of MFA and LCA. We will also learn about open source development and publication.
Taking the research needs of prospective LCA as a starting point, we will demonstrate how MFA concepts like material composition and the difference between stocks and flows can be applied to common LCA databases to check data quality, generate new inventories, and understand system effects outside of individual unit processes.
To make such analysis easier to share and interpret, we will also learn about how to turn Python product system models into interactive dashboards using Panel. We will also briefly review how to create, test, document, and publish open source software.
The structure of the school starts with two days of interactive teaching sessions using Jupyter Notebooks. These notebooks include exercises, and we will discuss the solutions in class. From Wednesday to Friday, you will work in small groups of around six people and apply these ideas in group projects. There will be dedicated instructors and group assistants to support group work. Groups will present their results on Friday afternoon.
This Summer School is primarily aimed at PhD students and postdocs who are studying or using LCA/MFA/Industrial ecology, but others (including professors and professionals) are also welcome to apply. Students who complete the school will receive a certificate for 2 ETCS credit points. Enrollment is limited to 30 people.
Location
The summer school will be held on the campus of the National University of Singapore the week before the ISIE 2025 conference.
Python prerequisite
Basic understanding of Python is needed for the school. If you aren't a programmer, don't worry - most participants aren't either. You are welcome, and based on previous feedback we have adapted the course content to make the school more beginner-friendly. Please do complete a basic Python tutorial before the course, though - there are many good online options available.
Starting and ending times
The school starts with at 9:00 on Monday, June 23, and finishes at 16:00 on Friday, June 27th, though all students are invited to a social event on Friday evening. The course accommodations run from Sunday evening to Saturday morning.
Language
The summer school will be in English.
Course fees
| Option | SGD | EUR (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| With housing | 1100 | 800 |
| Without housing | 550 | 400 |
Invoices can be issued in SGD and EUR, using the current conversion rate. Invoices can also be paid by credit card for an additional ~3% fee.
Course fees can include rooms at the NUS Singapore Hostel from the evening of Sunday, June 22 to the morning of Saturday, June 28, but do not include meals. We will be at the NUS campus and use their canteens. Full refunds are available up to May 15th, after which only 50% of any paid course fee can be refunded.
The school is organised by Départ de Sentier, a Swiss nonprofit association which supports open sustainability assessment and public engagement, together with NUS, the National University of Singapore.