We are living in challenging times. Climate change mitigation and sustainability are becoming less important in politics and society. At the same time, resistance to necessary changes is growing. Many people view transformations as an additional burden rather than an opportunity. Uncertainty, the fear of material loss, and the questioning of familiar values are shaping public opinion.
Right-wing populist movements are also gaining influence, accompanied by hate speech and targeted disinformation. These developments are jeopardising not only social support for socio-ecological transformations, but also the ability of sustainability research itself to act. They are also undermining liberal democracy and independent science — and thus the ability of sustainability research itself to act.
As researchers committed to shaping socio-ecological transformations, how do we deal with these changes?
- What challenges arise in the face of increasing conflict and polarisation? What expectations and requirements does sustainability research have from the perspective of practitioners?
- What new solutions must we find to meet these challenges?
- These questions will be at the heart of our conference. The conference is not just about analysis, but above all about thinking ahead and shaping things together.
These questions form the focus of our conference. The emphasis is not just on analysis, but on thinking ahead and shaping things together.
During the afternoon parallel sessions (Thinking Spaces of Transformation), we will address specific design challenges relating to mobility, water and biodiversity.
You can find further information just as the complete program here: https://www.isoe.de/termin/isoe-tagung-2025
(Please note that the conference will be held in German.)