SenseMaking Summer School: Exploring the Metacrisis and a Second Renaissance, September 17th - 24th 2025
A week-long gathering for researchers, practitioners and changemakers to inquire into the roots of the metacrisis — from climate change to AI x-risk, the meaning crisis to the mental health epidemic.
Join us for the inaugural SenseMaking Summer School 2025, a week-long gathering of inquiry, learning and connection. The school will bring together 20 participants to share new perspectives on catastrophic risk, collective action, and governance — grounded in a Metacrisis and Second Renaissance context. The school will take place at the Life Itself Riverside Hub in Bergerac, France from September 17th-24th.
Global catastrophic risks like climate change and AI are accelerating, governance efforts are faltering, and collective action is becoming central. There’s rising interest in better cooperation and governance, yet limited tools for enabling it. This summer school offers a new, complementary approach. It’s still grounded in reason, but takes an enlarged perspective — drawing on complexity science, the inner dimension (informed by cognitive science and developmental psychology), and the growing field of cultural evolution.
We’ll explore the concept of the Metacrisis as a frame for understanding why our current challenges — including the AI arms race — are so difficult to address and so interconnected. We’ll introduce the idea of a Second Renaissance, a paradigm of deep renewal and systemic transformation that integrates cultural, institutional, and individual change.
Participants will learn how humanity has scaled cooperation in the past — and how we can do so again. You’ll gain practical tools and conceptual frameworks that can be directly applied to cause prioritization, governance strategy, and cooperation theory.
Key Information:
What: A week-long intensive, exploring new approaches to existential risk, collective action, and governance. It will draw on concepts like the Metacrisis and a Second Renaissance, as well as Complex Systems, Integral Theory, Effective Altruism, Metamodernism. Finally, the week will integrate intellectual training with embodied practices.
Who: 20 participants, primarily early-career researchers, practitioners and changemakers, interested in how we can powerfully address catastrophic risks and create a flourishing future. Second Renaissance, Metamodernism, and Integral approaches.
When: Wednesday 17th-Wedesday 24th September (with optional project collaobration days afterwards). The core program runs from Wednesday to Wednesday. Whilst we will prioritise those who can make the full week if you really want to come and can only make a part let us know. Optional follow-up days for project collaboration up to Saturday 27th.
Format: Morning seminars based on dialog and discussion of pre-readings, afternoon open-space sessions, optional project development and heart/body practices.
Curriculum: Core sensemaking concepts (Metacrisis 101, Integral 101, Complex Systems, Wicked Problems, Collective Action Problems) plus advanced dialogues and special topics.
Cost: Sliding scale between €250-€750. Includes food, accommodation and curriculum.
Overview
The SenseMaking Summer School 2025 is an intensive week of collective learning, practice, and community for those passionate about making sense of the challenges and opportunities of our time. Inspired by models like the École des Houches physics summer school and adapting them to today’s intellectual and existential crises, this gathering offers a comprehensive education in key concepts and methods of sensemaking.
Participants will explore and integrate frameworks and ideas such as Integral Theory, Metamodernism and the Second Renaissance. The focus will be on practical and embodied sensemaking. Core themes will include:
The Metacrisis and its dimensions: ecological, technological, socio-political, spiritual.
Complex Systems, Wicked Problems, and Collective Action Challenges.
Integral and Metamodern frameworks for understanding transformation.
The Second Renaissance as a cultural and civilisational rebirth.
Embodied sensemaking practices: heart work, somatic awareness and group process.
Rather than a purely didactic event, the summer school emphasises co-creation. Participants will learn both from and teach each other, building a shared foundation for intellectual and practical development.
Structure and Schedule
Arrival Day (Wednesday 17th September)
Arrivals, orientation and an opening circle to begin the program.
Core Program (Thursday, September 18th - Tuesday, September 23rd)
Mornings:
2-hour facilitated dialogues based on pre-assigned readings or recorded lectures.Afternoons:
Open space for co-created sessions, workshops, and participant-led talks.Evenings:
Informal discussions, fireside chats, or collective practices to deepen engagement.
Departure/Optional Follow-ups (Wednesday, September 24th - Onwards)
Most participants will depart on Wednesday, September 24th, following the conclusion of the Core Program.
An optional follow-up will be available for 2–3 additional days of collaborative project work or deeper inquiry.
Who Should Apply
This summer school is ideal for:
Early-career researchers, practitioners, and changemakers with an interest in Metamodernism, Integral Theory, and the Second Renaissance.
Individuals seeking both intellectual depth and embodied practice in understanding and addressing the Metacrisis
Those motivated to develop both an analytic understanding and pragmatic strategies for navigating complex global challenges.
Prior experience with these frameworks is welcome but not necessary; pre-materials will ensure a shared conceptual foundation.
About the Life Itself Hub
The Life Itself Bergerac Praxis Hub is a greenhouse for the Second Renaissance: a deliberately developmental space for people to gather and experiment with the embodied presence and practical action needed to bring forth a new paradigm in the face of the Metacrisis.
We see this space as a place for experimentation, exploration and learning, where people can engage in self-work, creative work and spiritual practices within a supportive and structured framework. We believe that this framework, which combines elements of monastic and secular practices, can facilitate the development of a new paradigm of living and being, one that is more connected, embodied and expansive
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About Bergerac
Bergerac is a beautiful town in southwest France, known for its medieval old town, vineyards and peaceful riverfronts. The town provides a quiet and inspiring backdrop for reflection, creativity and connection. The Dordogne River is just steps away, perfect for swimming or riverside walks. The town is easily accessible by train from Bordeaux.
FAQS
Q: Do I need to be an expert in Metacrisis, Metamodernism, Integral Theory, etc., to attend?
No, the summer school is designed to create a shared foundation for all participants through pre-materials and core sessions. There’s no need to worry if you’ve never encountered these concepts before.
Q: Is there a participation fee?
The participation fee ranges from €250–€750, depending on the participant's ability to pay. If this is outside your budget, please reach out to us - we may be able to offer discounted places in certain cases.
Q: Can I attend only part of the program?
Priority will be given to those attending the full core week to maintain group cohesion and ensure a meaningful experience for everyone.
Q: Will food and accommodation be provided?
Yes, on-site accommodation and meals are included in your participation fee.
Q: Where is the SenseMaking Summer School taking place?
At the Bergerac Hub, 11 Pl. Barbacane, 24100 Bergerac, France
Ready to join us? Please fill out our interest form or email us at finn@lifeitself.org for more information.
