The Leibniz Research Network „Environmental Crises – Crisis Environments” organized a PhD workshop for doctoral students from various disciplines as part of its efforts to facilitate exchange between young researchers on December 12 and 13 at PRIF’s Berlin Office.
The workshop, which was co-hosted by Laura Bannan-Fischer and Tilman Brück (IGZ/Humboldt University Berlin), brought together young researchers who study the issue of simultaneous and interacting crises and a global, regional, or local level. The workshop brought together six doctoral students and a postdoctoral researcher from different member institutes of the Leibniz Research Network CrisEn, focusing on land use and agricultural policy, economic development and food security, climate risks and sustainable development as well as peace and conflict research. Additionally, two external young researchers contributed with their research in the fields of crisis management and environmental peacebuilding.
In three sessions over two days, the participants presented their research, formulated questions, and developed ideas, which were discussed by senior academic tutors Kathleen Hermans (IAMO), Katharina Löhr (ZALF), and Patrick Flamm. In their projects, the participants focused on tracing the causes of intersecting crises but also the ways of how crises interact with each other at a micro level. The presentations dealt with beliefs and practices of climate adaptation, humanitarian impacts of environmental change, and interactions between social cohesion and environmental crises. In the informal atmosphere, the participants had the opportunity to share their ideas, findings, and concerns and exchange about different research perspectives with peers from other academic disciplines.
Besides focusing on the research itself, the workshop provided an insight into career development and additional opportunities for early career researchers in the context of the Leibniz Association. This input was presented by Marvin Bähr from the Leibniz Association’s Divison on Scientific Affairs, who also answered questions from the participants. A subsequent dinner with all participants provided an opportunity for further networking.