Call for Papers: Leibniz Environment and Development Symposium (LEADS) 2022

The prevailing pattern of economic and social development all too often fails to deliver progress for all and to respect our planetary boundaries. We see climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation caused by economic development that is accompanied by persistent or even rising inequality, poverty, and even hunger. The current multiple crises are reinforcing some of these global problems. Simultaneously meeting the global challenges of achieving sustainable and inclusive development requires strong interdisciplinary and international research collaboration.

Research at the interface of environment and development is often hampered by traditional academic boundaries. New ideas and fresh research approaches as well as interdisciplinary exchange are needed to meet such challenges. Young researchers in particular play a key role in doing so.

Therefore, several German research institutes – all members of the Leibniz association – have initiated the Leibniz Environment and Development Symposium (LEADS): Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie (ATB), GIGA, Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) and Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT). The Symposium now also counts on the support of RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research. The aim of LEADS is to foster interdisciplinary exchange and stimulate collaboration on global societal challenges among early career researchers and senior scholars.

After a pandemic-induced break, we hereby invite you to join the next LEADS event at the GIGA in Hamburg on 2–3 November 2022. We invite submissions of original research papers that address challenges at the interface of environment and development. We are planning for a hybrid event with preference for physical presence. Yet, we are aware that we may have to be fully online if circumstances do not allow for a physical meeting.

There will be ample opportunities for academic discussion and network building. Accepted papers will be discussed in the conference by a dedicated discussant. We may also have a poster session. Participants are encouraged to explore new research collaborations.

Please send your submission (at least an extended abstract, ideally a full draft paper, in English) and a short CV (maximum two pages) in PDF format by email to [email protected] by 30 August 2022. Decisions will be communicated by the mid of September 2022. There will be discussants, therefore the final papers (completed or draft version) are due by 23 October 2022. The conference language will be English.

For further information, send an email to: [email protected]

Academic committee: Achim Schlüter (ZMT), Anette Ruml (GIGA), Barbara Schröter (ZALF), Jann Lay (GIGA), Kati Krähnert (PIK), Lasse Loft (ZALF), Maximiliane Sievert (RWI), Philipp Grundmann (ATB), Roman Hoffmann (PIK/IIASA), Tilman Brück (IGZ).