News
28/11/2025 | Dr. Zadoki Tabo receives research award from Justus Liebig University
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Dr Zadoki Tabo has been awarded the Justus Liebig University research prize for his dissertation 'Towards eradicating the tropical disease schistosomiasis – integrative mathematical and statistical modelling combining intrinsic and extrinsic parameters'. The certificate was formally presented to him by Professor Volker Wissemann during the academic ceremony. The ZEU extends its congratulations to him and his supervisor, Professor Christian Albert, on this remarkable accomplishment. |
18/11/2025 | Alexander Prishchepov has been included in the top-cited highly cited world researchers
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Professor Alexander Prishchepov, Associate Professor of the University of Copenhagen, co-affiliated withe the Justus-Liebig-University and participant in the SDG Nexus Network project has now been identified as one of the most cited scientists in his field on a global scale in 2025. This assertion is substantiated by the most recent results of the Highly Cited Researcher Rankings, which were analysed by the Institute for Scientific Information of the American company Clarivate Analytic |
06/11/2025 | Water Security and Climate Change Conference (WSCC25)
Water Security and Climate Change Conference 2025 in Tashkent |
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan — The ninth Water Security and Climate Change Conference (WSCC25) held 8–10 October 2025 at the National Research University "Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers institure" (TIIAME NRU), brought together more than 150 researchers, practitioners and policymakers from 28 countries to exchange research, policy lessons and practical tools for managing water under accelerating climate stress.
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Organised by the SDGnexus Network in partnership with TIIAME NRU and supported by the exceed programme (Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation), WSCC25 focused on the urgent challenge of climate‑related water extremes and their impacts on food systems, ecosystems and societies.
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09/09/2025 | Dr. rer. soc. Pavlina Miteva-Bölter successfully defends her dissertation
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It's finally done: Pavlina has successfully and confidently defended her dissertation, submitted to the Faculty of Social and Cultural Sciences - Department of Political Science. Pavlina's PhD research focused on Policy Transfer From International Organisations to Single States: The Case of Marine Spatial Planning Adoption in Colombia. The project was supervised by Prof. Helmut Breitmeier (International relations, centre). The examination board also included Prof. Martin Petrick (Agricultural policy and market research, left), Prof. Thomas Wilke (Animal ecology & systematics, right) and Prof. Stefan Peters (International relations and peace studies, not pictured) The ZEU extends its warmest congratulations on this wonderful achievement. |
03/09/2025 | ZEU's focus areas restructered
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The inaugural event for the establishment of a third focal area, entitled 'One Health', was held on 7 May 2025, with representatives from a range of academic disciplines in attendance. The primary objective of this initiative was to investigate the potential for interdisciplinary collaboration within the framework of the ZEU. A text version describing the focus of the area was also agreed upon. |
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In May 2025, Prof. Christian Albrecht became a new member of the ZEU, and was elected to the role of spokesperson by the members of the 'One Health' focal area. His scientific activities are centred on the health of tropical and other freshwater systems, with a particular emphasis on the diversification patterns of invertebrates (especially molluscs), the dynamics of neglected tropical diseases such as schistosomiasis, and the mechanisms of invasive species in these aquatic habitats. His research is interdisciplinary, integrating the fields of biodiversity, environmental change and human health. This research aligns directly with the ZEU's mission to address global development and environmental issues. |
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The members of the ZEU Climate and Environment Research Group have also elected new spokespersons, as the previous representatives were no longer available. The vote clearly went to:
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Finally, a new deputy spokesperson was also elected in the focal area Land Use. In addition to Prof. Martin Petrick, Prof. Suzanne Jacobs will be involved in the affairs of this area in future. | |
01/09/2025 | Welcoming Julio Álvarez as a PhD student in the SDG Nexus Network project!
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It is with great pleasure that we extend a cordial welcome to Julio Joaquín Álvarez Estrella, who has recently been admitted as a new scholarship holder in our research group. Julio holds a Master's degree in Hydrology and a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Cuenca, Ecuador, where he graduated as the top student of his cohort. His research is centred on three primary areas: hydrological modelling, machine learning applications in water forecasting, and geospatial data analysis. Julio's recent work includes a publication in the Q1 journal Water on the subject of enhancing peak runoff forecasting through the application of feature engineering to X-band radar data. In terms of his professional contributions, he has played a pivotal role in environmental modelling and risk management projects at the University of Azuay and Sensor Vital. His involvement has encompassed the integration of technical design, programming, and GIS-based environmental monitoring, demonstrating his comprehensive expertise in these domains. Julio possesses a robust background in data-driven hydrological research and a keen interest in leveraging innovative computational tools to address water availability and climate-related challenges. It is with great pleasure that we announce his inclusion in our team, and we eagerly anticipate the valuable contributions he will make to the advancement of sustainable water management within the SDGnexus Network. |
28/08/2025 | EAAE Pre-congress workshop by BioValue and Radiant
As part of the XVIII European Association of Agricultural Economists (EAAE) Congress, the Horizon 2020 sister projects BioValue and Radiant have organized a workshop titled
“Promoting Agri-Food Chain Diversification through Underutilized Crops: Socio-Economic Dilemmas and Policy Solutions”
which was successfully held on 26th August 2025 at the University of Bonn. The event shed light on the untapped potential of underutilized crops in enhancing biodiversity and resilience within Europe’s agri-food systems.
Selected from a competitive pool of applications, the workshop brought together a diverse group of experts to engage in rich discussions around socio-economic challenges, innovative strategies, and policy solutions for fostering crop diversity.
It featured two rounds of impulse presentations, highlighting real-world case studies from across Europe. It showcased contributions from some of Europe’s foremost agricultural research institutions, including: Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany), University of Bologna (Italy), The James Hutton Institute (Scotland), Wageningen University (Netherlands), and CIHEAM (Greece), among others. Presentations addressed a wide range of key topics—consumer behaviour and market acceptance, value chain development, stakeholder collaboration, sustainability assessments, and innovative adoption strategies.
The impulse talks were followed by an interactive session that actively involved participants through methods such as pinboard brainstorming, index card feedback, and live polling, fostering the generation of concrete insights and actionable recommendations. Through dynamic exchanges and co-creation, around 30 participants from the EAAE Congress discussed the main challenges and opportunities and developed recommendations to mainstream underutilized crops in agri-food systems. The participatory part found that risk sharing among the different value chain actors; raising consumer awareness about the environmental and health benefits of underutilised crops; as well as technical and financial support are the best strategies to promote integration of underutilised crops in value chains.
The workshop was led by members of the BioValue project from the JLU Giessen, namely, by Dr. Irina Solovieva and Dr. Pavlina Miteva-Bölter; with support from other colleagues from the BioValue and Radiant projects.
The BioValue project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Grant Agreement No. 101000499.
01/08/2025 | New Project Team Member: Adriana Sumba
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We are excited to welcome Adriana Sumba Naula to our research team! Adriana's scholarship will be funded by the SDG Nexus Network project. Adriana joins us from Cuenca, Ecuador, bringing a strong background in climate science, hydrology, and environmental data analysis. She holds a Master’s degree in Climate Change, Agriculture, and Sustainable Rural Development from the University of Azuay, an Erasmus+-supported program, and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Cuenca. Throughout her academic journey, Adriana has focused on understanding the complex interactions between water, energy, and climate in the Andean region. Her professional experience includes work with the Electric Corporation of Ecuador (CELEC SUR), where she analyzed hydrometeorological and wind data to support renewable energy projects and water management. She has also contributed to research on energy balance in hydropower reservoirs and the monitoring of hydroclimatic systems using advanced tools such as R and GIS. Adriana is passionate about applying data-driven approaches to address the challenges of climate change and water availability. Her interdisciplinary expertise and commitment to sustainability make her a valuable addition to our team. We are delighted to have her on board and look forward to the fresh perspectives she will bring to our ongoing research within the SDGnexus Network. |
11/07/2025 | Join our Master Lecture in the Winter Term 2025-26: “Building Bridges on Rising Waters: Climate Change and International Disaster Management”
Are you passionate about addressing the global challenges posed by climate change and disaster management?
Then join our specialized Master's Lecture in the Winter Term 2025 - 2026 "Building Bridges on Rising Waters" and delve into the critical intersection of natural hazards, risks, climate change and international disaster management. Our expert-led lectures from Justus Liebig University Giessen, Philipps University Marburg (Germany), University of Limoges (France) and from University of Calabria (Italy) will equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand some of the complexities of this rapidly evolving field.
The accelerating changes in the global climate are linked to a rise in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, and even earthquakes. These challenges transcend national borders, pose serious risks to societies, and give rise to new socio-political, economic, legal, and technological questions, as well as pressing transformation needs, necessitating a re-evaluation of disaster risk management strategies. Given the relevance of this topic, this lecture offers interdisciplinary perspectives on disaster risk (reduction) management.
The lecture is structured into three thematic blocs, aligned with the disaster risk cycle. In the first bloc “(Natural) Hazards, risks and disasters”, you learn more about the governance of risks and the development of disasters. This bloc focuses on water-related risks in general, climate change scenarios and the political, economic and legal understanding of risks and disasters. In the second bloc “Prevention, mitigation and preparedness”, climate challenges are analysed from economic and engineering perspectives. This bloc highlights (green) financial policies and seismic risk prevention. In the third bloc “Response and recovery”, several disaster case studies are discussed and the impacts of disasters on food systems, pro-social preferences and community resilience are examined. The lecture combines sessions from the following disciplines: Political Science, Economics, Geography, Engineering, Law.
The lecture is integrated in the Virtual International Programme (VIP) of JLU, the Virtual European Exchange Programme (VEEP) and the EUPeace European Track Certification Programme. If you study at a partner university and want to apply for this lecture, please apply via the VIP & VEEP online application form and send your application form, proof of enrolment, and a transcript of records to the VIP mobility office. If you study at JLU, you can register for the lecture in September 2025.
- External Application: Apply for the lecture via the Virtual International Programme (VIP) by 10 August 2025.
- Internal Application: Registration opens in the beginning of September 2025 on IP.
Study Period: 13/10/2025 - 13/02/2026
Mode and Time: Asynchronous (recorded lectures)
Online Tool for Teaching: stud.IP, ILIAS, BigBlueButton
Language of Instruction: English (prerequisites: English B2)
Examination Format: n.a. - no examination
ECTS without examination: 3 ECTS
Responsible lecturers (JLU): Prof. Dr. Helmut Breitmeier, Prof. Dr. Sandra Schwindenhammer, Katrin Strobehn, M.Sc.
You can find further information on the website or contact Katrin Strobehn in case of any questions.
The project is generously funded by the EUPeace Fund (European Union).
23/05/2025 | We congratulate Kalina Fonseca on successfully defending her dissertation
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Kalina Fonseca began working with the SDG Nexus Network at the Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU) in August 2021. She completed her PhD on May 23, 2025, with a thesis titled "Water Quality Improvement Using Nature-Based Solutions and Its Interlinkages with the Sustainable Development Goals" We wish her much success and all the best for her future career as a professor at the Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi in Ecuador. |
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08/04/2025 | New open-access publication - successful interdisciplinary collaboration in the BIOVALUE project
A new study published in Sustainability by the BioValue project team highlights the untapped potential of Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) to enhance environmental sustainability, climate resilience and dietary diversity in European agri-food systems. Focusing primarily on Germany and Spain, the research emphasizes the crop’s adaptability to both dry climates and heavy rainfall, its benefits for organic farming, and its ability to enrich crop rotations. As a nitrogen-fixing legume, grass pea reduces dependence on synthetic fertilizers, while its nutritional value and culinary versatility support healthy, sustainable diets. The authors call for adaptive farming techniques, and value chain cooperation to make use of grass pea’s potential.
On the ZEU side, four disciplines are represented in the community of authors: agricultural sciences (Irina Solovieva), political sciences (Pavlina Miteva Bölter), organic farming (Nadja Kasperzcyk) and climate sciences (Elena Xoplaki).
The article can be freely accessed under the following link:
27/03/2025 | Stefan Peters with new functions in IUFRO and SPA
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Prof Stefan Peters has been appointed as a member of the IUFRO Task Force T49 Post-Conflict Forest Landscape Restoration: Make ‘It Back Better’. IUFRO is a non-profit, non-governmental international network of forest scientists, which promotes global cooperation in forest-related research and enhances the understanding of the ecological, economic and social aspects of forests and trees. He has also become a member of the Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA), which is based at the United Nations in New York. This is the world's first high-level regional science initiative dedicated to the Amazon.
https://www.sp-amazon.org/about/#members
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19/02/2025 | Re-election of the ZEU Board
The ZEU Board, consisting of
was unanimously confirmed in office for another three years by the members of the Centre Council.
The ZEU wishes them all the best and continued success.