The spring and autumn courses have addressed issues, and brought participants in contact with lecturers, that are at the forefront of research across social science disciplines. Plenary sessions are combined with group work where participants present and respond to short papers. The courses are planned by a committee with participants from the host institution, one other member institution, one or two Ph.D. students, and RVS staff. 

Spring and fall courses are usually held at one of the partner university campuses. They usually start with lunch on one day, and ends around 3 pm the day after. 

Examples of themes in the period 2017 – 2024: Values, Religion and Emotions. Intercultural Encounters: Migration, Minority and majority relations. Comparison, representation. Religious Literacy. Life Trajectories and Cultural Values. Interdisciplinary research. Critique and normativities. Lived religion. Religion and politics. Religion, nature and materiality. Meaning and emotions.