About
Project

The aim of the project is to equip PhD students and mining professionals with industry-demand skills required for sustainable development within the mining and raw materials sectors, which is to master the complex issues of a Social Licence to Operate (SLO). The aim of the PRO-SLO project is to bridge the gap between raw materials operations and economic, social and ethical discourse and to provide the raw materials industry with future leaders for SLO issues by training PhD students to master the complex SLO process, and act as ambassadors for the raw materials industry. The target audience is PhD candidates.

The project incorporates innovative teaching/learning methods, supplemented with field excursions, behavioral-experiments and challenge based assessments to ensure participant competence. Mentors from industry will aid informal/formal learning exchange.

In accordance with the European 'Digital Education Action Plan', the PhD school will be an asynchronous / synchronous format with a clear learning pathway. The PRO-SLO school will enable doctoral students to understand, reflect, discuss, negotiate and resolve challenges at various stages of SLO processes. Upon successful completion, participants will be equipped with the required knowledge, skills and attitudes to successfully navigate the complexities of the SLO process and bring these competences to industry. This benefits them professionally and also civil society and the RM sector, and helps to safe-guard the RM industry's SLO.

Experts about project

THE PRO-SLO PHD SCHOOL – GENERAL CONCEPT

It is an innovative educational programme developed to address a critical gap in how the raw materials sector approaches the concept of Social Licence to Operate (SLO). Aimed at future leaders in the field, the school equips PhD students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex societal, ethical, and environmental challenges associated with raw materials development.

By fostering a deeper understanding of these issues, the programme contributes to the advancement of more sustainable and socially responsible practices within the industry.

The programme is structured in three interconnected phases:

  • • Online Learning Week – The school begins with a one-week online module featuring expert-led lectures, interactive discussions, and related assignments that introduce key concepts and challenges in the SLO context.
  • • Online Team Work – Over the following two months, participants work in interdisciplinary teams on preparatory tasks related to a real-life case study. This phase is designed to deepen understanding through collaborative problem-solving and applied research.
  • • Onsite Case Study Immersion – The final phase is an in-person session held at a selected case study location. Students engage directly with stakeholders, explore the site, and apply their knowledge to analyze and propose solutions to real-world SLO challenges.

The curriculum combines innovative teaching methods, including challenge-based learning, peer collaboration, and both synchronous and asynchronous learning formats.

The PRO-SLO PhD School takes place within a broader context in which the raw materials sector continues to face public skepticism and reputational challenges, rooted in historical environmental impacts and ongoing ethical concerns. This reality underscores the urgent need for a new generation of professionals capable of engaging with stakeholders and leading the way toward a more socially integrated and responsible industry.

Europe needs experts

to master the complex issues of a Social Licence to Operate (SLO), as currently many raw materials projects are severely delayed due to opposition from communities.

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