The Arts, Health, and Society Division Newsletter – May

To the global intellectual community served by the European Graduate School:

As is now widely known, students who have been planning on pursuing advanced study in the United States face newly uncertain conditions. This is particularly true for those who require visas for this study. The affected universities are addressing these conditions in varying ways, some quite admirably.  (Harvard’s recent action is genuinely heartening.)  But their powers to protect students are limited in the contemporary political and legal circumstances.

The EGS stands with those institutions and individuals who seek to defend academic freedom.  It would also like to help those students who have found their study interrupted or obstructed, where possible.

At the same time, it is working to assume and even strengthen its position both as a leading center for critical thought devoted to the crises of our time, and as a safe harbor in this moment of gathering storms.  We would like to encourage students from across the world to consider our MA and PhD programs, which are comparable in intellectual quality to any in the United States.  They are also exceptionally convenient in that they offer considerable scheduling flexibility for study online and for intimate in-person study with global intellectual leaders in accessible sites of stunning beauty.  Auditing possibilities are also available for any seminar.

For our 2025 program offerings and schedule, please see our website or my presentation on YouTube, “Study at the EGS in 2025: Inspiration and Critical Freedom”.

Respectfully, and wishing strength to all,

Christopher Fynsk
President of the EGS
EGS/ The European Graduate School
EST.1994

Below are the dates for Summer Session 2025:

Session 1
June 9th (Session 1 starts at 9am) to June 29th (Session 1 ends at 10pm):

Master Programs in Expressive Arts with Specializations in Therapy, Coaching and Consulting, & Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding 
Expressive Arts Master Exams
Masters Graduation Ceremony June 28th
Professional Development in Expressive Arts Digital Arts and Media Module KS

Doctoral Program in Expressive Arts
Qualifying phase of the PhD Program (First year, IMC 1)

From June 15th to June 29th :
Professional Development in Expressive Arts Practice Module A-P

Session 2
July 8th (Session 2 starts at 9am) to July 28th (Session 2 ends at 10pm)

Master Programs in Expressive Arts with Specializations in Therapy, Coaching and Consulting, & Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding

Doctoral Program in Expressive Arts
Qualifying phase of the PhD Program (Second year, IMC 2)

For a closer look at this year’s academic program, please click below:

Academic Program 2025

To learn more about our Masters and PhD Programs, please click below:

Masters Program

Doctoral Program

AHS Alumni Community Gatherings

The East & West Alumni Community Gatherings are informal, seasonal online meet-ups created to reconnect and support alumni from the Arts, Health & Society Division of EGS. These virtual circles offer a space to share personal and professional updates, celebrate creative projects, and continue cultivating the collaborative, generative spirit of our time together at EGS. These open conversations are offered quarterly and alternate with Alumni-Hosted Workshops to explore the diverse ways expressive arts are being applied across fields and disciplines — from therapy and education to social change, ecological work, performance, and beyond.

To get involved, please contact  alumni@egs.edu. By writing to this address, you’ll receive all the details on how to join the EGS Alumni WhatsApp Community, where all information about upcoming Alumni Conversations and Workshops is regularly shared.

AHS PhD Candidacy Phase

We are now holding monthly online support meetings with all students in the Candidacy Phase of their dissertation. These meetings aim to foster a sense of academic community and shared learning. Sessions will include updates, peer exchange, and opportunities for faculty or recent graduates to present on topics related to dissertation work.

Additionally, a Google Classroom dedicated to students currently in the Candidacy Phase has been created. This space is used to share key documents, support materials, and announcements related to the dissertation journey.

Students who are interested in joining are invited to contact the PhD Program Director, José Miguel Calderón, at jose.miguel@egs.edu for more information.

Dissertation Defense Announcement

We are pleased to announce the upcoming dissertation defense of:
Odette A. Vélez

Title: Poetic Sensitivity and Expressive Arts: Toward an Encounter with Mystery

Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m. (Peru) / 5:00 p.m. (Central European Time)

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/94136678549#success

Meeting ID: 941 3667 8549

Dissertation Committee:

• First Reader: Dr. Sally Atkins

• Second Reader: Dr. Margo Fuchs Knill

• EGS Representative: Dr. Stephen K. Levine

All members of the EGS community and friends  are warmly invited to attend and support Odette in this important academic milestone.

Partner Institutes

The field of Intermodal Expressive Arts (EXA) has grown considerably in the last thirty years and has developed an international reputation with professional representation in many countries. Click below to learn more about our course providing partner institutes and other cooperating universities.
Learn more