The Summer School commenced with a lecture by Prof. Martin Klatt, coordinator of the B-Shapes project, who examined the paradoxes inherent in European border dynamics, particularly the tension between regional integration and national sovereignty. He highlighted the concept of “banal Europeanisation,” where the integration of European societies is often taken for granted, masking underlying complexities and endangering the otherwise vital achievements that were already gained and enjoyed by the people.

Following this, Prof. Chiara Brambilla introduced the concept of “borderscaping,” an interdisciplinary approach that views borders as dynamic and socially constructed spaces. She emphasised the importance of action research in understanding how individuals and communities experience and interpret borders in their daily lives. Drawing from her collaborative ethnographic research with young people in the Italian-Tunisian borderland, Brambilla highlighted how mixed visual methods – such as participatory photography and storytelling – can deconstruct dominant narratives and bring to light the everyday realities of border communities. This work not only challenges the often-sensationalised portrayals of Mediterranean borders but also fosters new forms of political engagement and subjectivity among marginalised groups.