11.05.2026
ZALF researchers working within the Leibniz Association’s consortia, Leibniz Lab “Systemic Sustainability,” co-convened a hybrid workshop on “Aligning Research on Transformation Pathways” on Wednesday, April 29, at the Leibniz Institute for Bioeconomy and Agricultural Engineering (ATB). The workshop brought together representatives of the Leibniz Lab alongside European consortia on agri-food systems and living labs, including Agricultural Systems of the Future (AdZ), the European Partnership for a Sustainable Future of Food Systems (FutureFoodS), and the Innovation Center for Agricultural System Transformation (IAT). From ZALF, Prof. Dr. Katharina Helming, Dr. Sundus Saleemi, and Dr. Joseph McPherson participated.
The workshop aimed to showcase ongoing initiatives and identify synergies for future collaboration. Key activities were presented through short lightning talks. Monika Schreiner introduced the Agricultural Systems of the Future; Naser Reyhani provided an overview of FutureFoodS; Jochen Schanze presented an overview of the Leibniz Lab Systemic Sustainability; and Katharina Helming provided a brief introduction to the IAT's initiatives. The discussion focused on both conceptual frameworks and operational approaches to transformation pathways. A central objective was to deepen mutual understanding of each initiative’s scope and identify complementarities. Particular attention was focused on Berlin-Brandenburg as hotspot area for co-designing transformation. Existing initiatives and potential collaboration topics were explored.
The workshop concluded with a brainstorming session on future joint activities. Proposed next steps included a joint session at the Reallaborkonferenz 2026, a regional workshop in Berlin-Brandenburg, and the development of a co-authored strategy paper.
