The prevailing patterns of economic and social development all too often fail 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 hunger. Multiple ongoing crises are reinforcing these global problems. Simultaneously meeting the global challenges of achieving sustainable and inclusive development requires strong interdisciplinary and international research collaboration. However, research at the interface of environment and development is often hampered by traditional academic boundaries, including in Germany. New ideas and fresh research approaches as well as inter-disciplinary and international exchanges are hence needed.
To achieve these exchanges, German research institutes ATB, GIGA, IGZ, RWI, PIK, ZALF and ZMT, all members of the Leibniz Association, organize the annual Leibniz Environment and Development Symposium (LEADS). LEADS fosters interdisciplinary exchange and stimulates collaboration on global societal challenges among and between early-career researchers and senior scholars, within Germany and internationally. This year’s LEADS will be hosted by the Zero Hunger Lab, a joint initiative of the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin on 1-2 October 2024 in Berlin-Mitte, Germany. Agnes Quisumbing (IFPRI) and Ibrahim Elbadawi (ERF) will deliver a keynote lecture.
LEADS 2024 will be held in conjunction with the international expert conference ‘Fragile Lives 2024’, which is hosted by the Zero Hunger Lab in collaboration with IRI THESys. Fragile Lives 2024 includes LEADS 2024 as well as the annual workshops for the Households in Conflict Network (HiCN) and the Methods Working Group of the German Association of Peace and Conflict Studies (AFK). Each of these workshops will publish its own CfP and we ask that participants do not submit the same paper for more than one workshop. Each accepted participant will receive access to all Fragile Lives 2024 sessions. Fragile Lives 2024 will be opened by the President of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Julia von Blumenthal, the President of the Leibniz Gemeinschaft, Martina Brockmeyer, and the Director General for Crisis Prevention, Stabilisation, Peace Building, and Humanitarian Assistance of the German Federal Foreign Office, Deike Potzel.
We invite submissions of original research papers, in particular by early-career researchers, that address challenges at the interface of environment and development. Submissions by researchers from within and outside the Leibniz Association are equally welcome.
From all submitted papers which address the micro-level analysis of violent conflict, the conference organizers will assemble a special issue proposal for the Journal of Peace Research. Please indicate in your submission if you would like your paper to be considered for this special issue proposal. Submissions on other topics within the scope of this call are equally welcome.
LEADS will provide ample opportunities for academic discussion and networking where participants are encouraged to explore new research collaborations. Accepted papers may be presented in sessions or as a poster.
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 garcia@igzev.de by 10 May 2024. Decisions will be communicated by mid-June 2024. Final papers (completed or draft version) are due by 20 September 2024. The conference language will be English. Invited presenters will be asked to cover their own travel expenses and contribute to the conference costs with a €150/€100 participation fee (full/reduced fee).
For further information send an email to garcia@igzev.de.
Academic committee: Raymond Ayilu (ZMT), Tilman Brück (IGZ/HU), Philipp Grundmann (ATB), Jann Lay (GIGA), Lasse Loft (ZALF), Anette Ruml (GIGA), Maximiliane Sievert (RWI), Barbora Šedová (PIK) and Achim Schlüter (ZMT).
Local organizers: Tilman Brück (IGZ/HU) and Jonathan Garcia (IGZ/HU).
