Perspectives for agroecological research and the Specialist Group

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After a period of hibernation, our specialist group is currently reviving itself. In the past two years, several of us have organised workshops and written a policy brief on transdisciplinary agroecological research. Now, we would like to build on that momentum to reconstitute the full group, welcome new members, and discuss where we want to go from here.

At this meeting, we will take time to get to know each other, think about the current state of research in agroecology, and begin to plan the future work of the specialist group. If you are interested in contributing to this exchange and the activity in the group, come and join us!

Date

20–21 April 2026, 1 p.m.–1 p.m. (Optional: joint lunch at 1 p.m. on 21 April)

Place

Biocentre of the University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg. Participants will receive the room number and further arrival information closer to the event.

Target group

Scientists in the field of agroecology, particularly those interested in joining the AK Agrarökologie or who are already members.

Contents of the event

• Key note on sustainable agriculture and how scientific networks function (speaker to be confirmed)
• Semi-structured scientific exchange on the current state of agroecological research
• Election of the head of the Specialist Group Agroecology (AK Agrarökologie, 21 April)
• Planning future activities of the Specialist Group

Registration

Follow the QR code or the link below to the online registration form until 15 February 2026.

Link to the registration form: https://form.jotform.com/253442097168361

Please note: There is no workshop fee, but a 5€ contribution per person is payable in cash on site for snacks and drinks during the event.

Contact the organisation team

Questions regarding the scientific programme?
Daniel Vedder (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Dr. Anne-Kathrin Schneider-Hohenbrink This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Questions regarding the registration, venue or arrival?
Dr. Ute Fricke (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Dr. Sarah Redlich (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Prof. Haber celebrated his 100th birthday a few weeks ago. To mark the occasion, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) held a celebratory symposium, published a commemorative publication, hosted an evening event, and planted an oak tree in front of the Landscape Building.

Prof. em. Dr. Dr. h.c. Wolfgang Haber (TUM) is one of Germany's most prominent ecologists. He has devoted his long scientific career to landscape ecology and nature conservation. He is particularly well known for his concept of ‘differentiated land use’, which reconciles the productivity and biodiversity of landscapes. He was one of the founders of the Society for Ecology in 1970 and was instrumental in establishing the first German national park in the Bavarian Forest (1970) and in carrying out biotope mapping in Bavaria. In Weihenstephan, he had a significant influence on the landscape architecture and landscape planning degree program and established the TUM's landscape building (1985).

On September 13, 2025, Wolfgang Haber celebrated his 100th birthday in good health. TUM celebrated his many years of work in several ways: Dr. Joachim Hamberger and several prominent authors compiled a commemorative publication entitled “Sustainable Hope in the Face of Uncomfortable Truths” – the volume is freely available on the website of the Verein für Nachhaltigkeit e.V. (Association for Sustainability).

Prof. Dr. Monika Egerer organized the 18th Weihenstephan Forum as a festive colloquium entitled “Shared Landscapes,” which took place on October 10 with many interested participants. The Landscape Alumni Club hosted a reception in the evening of that day. There were welcoming remarks from the university management and a tribute to the lifetime achievement by Irene Burkhardt, Prof. em. Dr. Dr. h.c. Alois Heißenhuber, Prof. Dr. Johannes Kollmann, Prof. Dr. Jörg Schaller, and Dr. Lutz Spandau. The honoree contributed a moving retrospective. Many alumni, faculty members, students, and other companions, as well as the Haber family, accepted the invitation and enjoyed an unforgettable evening. The following day, an oak tree was planted in front of the Landscape Building, which will reach several hundred years of age.

100 years of Wolfgang Haber – congratulations!