Skills for Reclaiming Public Ownership
6th – 11th July 2026, London UK
The Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) is pleased to invite applications for the 2026 PSIRU Summer School: Skills for Reclaiming Public Ownership. The PSIRU Summer School is an intensive international training programme for trade unionists and activists committed to defending, democratising, and reclaiming public services.
Building on the success of the 2025 pilot, the 2026 Summer School will further strengthen the analytical, strategic, and organising capacities of participants working at the forefront of struggles against privatisation and for a just, climate-aligned public ownership agenda
About us
The Public Services International Research Unit (PSIRU) is a research centre based at the University of Greenwich in London, UK. PSIRU’s research spans across multiple sectors, including water, energy, waste management and the circular economy, healthcare, social care, public administration, and transport in the Global North and Global South. It is recognised for its impact in both academic and policy-making communities.
PSIRU, in collaboration with allied organisations Public Services International (PSI), Trade Unions for Energy Democracy (TUED), and the Transnational Institute (TNI) and the International Trade Federation (ITF), and the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (CICTAR) are hosting a research summer school trade unionists and activists interested in advancing progressive agendas and effectively advocating pro-public policies.
Date, Venue, Accommodation, Languages
The programme will take place in-person only as follows:
- Dates: from 6th to 11th July 2026
- Venue: University of Greenwich, Greenwich Campus, Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, London SE10 9LS, United Kingdom
- Languages: This programme will be held in ENGLISH only. No translation will be available on campus. Scholarship applicants need to be fluent in English.
- Accommodation: participants will lodge in single room hotel accommodation within walking distance to the campus.
PSIRU Summer School 2025
The 2025 PSIRU Summer School confirmed that research, when rooted in organising, is a powerful tool for trade union and movement action. Over six intensive days, participants from 22 countries built practical skills in areas such as strategic corporate research, private equity analysis, financing public services, decarbonisation under public ownership, surveys, interviews, data visualisation, and media engagement.
Just as importantly, the programme showed the value of collective learning: participants repeatedly highlighted how working in international groups, applying methods to real campaigns, and learning from one another’s struggles made the training immediately useful. Feedback also pointed to the need for stronger integration across sessions, deeper political framing, and more continuity before and after the residential week.
What to Expect in 2026
The 2026 Summer School builds directly on these lessons. Participants can expect a more coherent and supported programme, with all sessions linked through a shared case study that connects corporate power, public finance, climate policy, and campaigning for public ownership. Pre-school preparation will be strengthened through an online learning hub and early group work with tutors, while post-school support will continue through an alumni network and follow-up tutorials.
The core of the programme remains hands-on and campaign-focused—learning research tools, testing them collectively, and applying them to live struggles—but with: clearer political framing tied to participants’ contexts, more time for group work and cross-regional exchange, and expanded accessibility.
In short, 2026 offers the same intensity and practical focus as 2025, but with greater integration, deeper reflection, and longer-lasting collective impact.
Why Apply
By participating in the PSIRU Summer School 2026, you will:
- Gain practical research skills tailored to real organising needs
- Learn how to turn evidence into campaign strategy and political leverage
- Work closely with experienced researchers, organisers, and tutors
- Join a global community of solidarity committed to reclaiming public services for workers, communities, and the planet
Who Should Apply
The PSIRU Summer School is intended for participants who are actively engaged in defending and advancing public services. Priority will be given to applicants who fall within the following groups:
- Trade union researchers, organisers, and campaigners
- Activists working on public ownership, just transition, tax justice, and anti-privatisation campaigns
- Participants from the Global South and from contexts with limited access to international training opportunities
- Younger trade unionists and emerging leaders within labour and social movement
Scholarships
A limited number of full board scholarships are available for selected participants. Subject to conditions, these scholarships cover:
- Participation fees
- Single-room accommodation (check-in: 5 July 2026; check-out: 11 July 2026)
- Three meals per day during the Summer School
- Return economy-class airfare (subject to travel availability)
- UK visa or ETA application fees
- Health and travel insurance costs
Priority for scholarships will be given to participants from the Global South. Applicants from the Global North are welcome to apply but are generally expected to secure funding from their own organisations.
Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:
- Demonstrated involvement in campaigns, organising drives, or public ownership initiatives
- Potential as future trade union or movement leaders
- Regional diversity, gender balance, and age diversity
- Capacity to apply the skills gained and actively share them within their organisations or movements
Applicants must be able to clearly explain in the cover letter how participation in the Summer School will strengthen their ongoing work and contribute to wider collective impact. Priority for scholarships will be given to participants from the Global South.
Applicants from the Global North are welcome to apply but are generally expected to secure funding from their own organisations.
Visa application and processing
PSIRU will provide successful candidates with an official invitation letter for visa purposes. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that they meet all visa requirements set out by the UK Home Office and for completing their visa application in full, including any associated documentation and appointments.
PSIRU is not able to provide assistance with visa applications beyond issuing the invitation letter and cannot liaise with embassies, visa centres, or immigration authorities on behalf of applicants.
All participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and health insurance for the duration of their stay in the UK. Sponsored participants will be reimbursed for the cost of travel and health insurance covering the week of the Summer School, in line with PSIRU guidelines.
How to apply
Click here to download the application form.
For ALL applicants, submit the application form as soon as possible including:
(1) Completed application form
(2) your CV outlining your trade union experience.
(3) nomination letter from your organisation
(4) A cover letter with clear, concise, concrete replies to the following points:
- Why you want to participate in the PSIRU Summer School 2026
- A description of your current trade union work and involvement in pro-public campaigns and related industrial relations activities (please include concrete campaigns, re-municipalisation cases you have been involved in, collective agreements you have negotiated); or relevant actions your union may undertake in the near future.
For scholarship applicants:
Scholarships are allocated via the partner organisations (PSI, TUED, TNI and ITF). Please send your completed scholarship application form and relevant documents directly to the relevant contact of the nominating organisation.
For other applicants:
A limited number of non-scholarship applicants may be accepted, subject to demonstrated suitability for the course. The participation fee is £800 for the week-long training, which also includes social activities, lunches and dinners. Self-funded participants are responsible for arranging and covering the costs of their own accommodation, travel, insurance and visa requirements.
Applicants who are employees of partner organisations (PSI, TNI, ITF, TUED, and CICTAR) are eligible for a waiver of the participation fee.
All applicants are required to obtain a nomination from their organisation. Enquiries should be sent to PSIRU by email at psiru@greenwich.ac.uk .
Key Dates
- February 15th, 2026: Deadline for scholarship applications. No deadline extensions and/or appeal of the selection decisions will be possible.
- February 28th, 2026: Successful applicants will be notified.
- March 15th, 2026: Confirmation of scholarship-based participation by March 15th, 2026.Visa support letters will be issued upon confirmation.
- April 1st, 2026: Deadline for non-scholarship applications.
- April 10st, 2026: UK visa and ETA applications must be submitted by April 1st, 2026, to allow sufficient time for processing. Late visa applications will likely result in late decisions by the Home Office.
- July 06th – 11th, 2026: PSIRU Summer School, University of Greenwich, London