Leibniz Environment and Development Symposium (LEADS) 2023

The prevailing pattern of economic and social development all too often fails 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. The current multiple crises are reinforcing some of 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. New ideas and fresh research approaches as well as inter-disciplinary exchange are needed.

This is why several German research institutes ATB, GIGA, IGZ, PIK, RWI, ZALF and ZMT – all members of the Leibniz Association – regularly organize the Leibniz Environment and Development Symposium (LEADS). The aim of LEADS is to foster interdisciplinary exchange and stimulate collaboration on global societal challenges among and between early-career researchers and senior scholars.

This year’s LEADS will be hosted by the Economic Policy Lab "Climate Change, Development and Migration" at the RWI – Leibniz Institute for Economic Research in Essen on November 27-28, 2023. The Policy Lab is a dynamic platform that links research activities on the three topics and offers lively structures to bring together researchers at RWI and at surrounding universities and institutes.

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.

LEADS will provide ample opportunities for academic discussion and networking where participants are encouraged to explore new research collaborations. Accepted papers will be discussed in the conference by a dedicated discussant. We may also have a poster session. Two keynote lectures by Mascha Rauschenbach (DEval) and Erwin Bulte (Wageningen University) will complement the programme.

About Mascha Rauschenbach (DEval): 
Mascha Rauschenbach is Team Leader at DEVal’s Competence Centre for Evaluation Methodology. She will share her experience with promoting evidence-based policy at BMZ, with examples from evaluations on adaptation to climate change and on access to energy in rural Africa.

About Erwin Bulte (WUR):
Erwin Bulte is Professor of Development Economics at Wageningen University. Erwin worked extensively on natural resource economics, institutional economics and development economics, and will share broader findings from a large-scale field experiment based on a sample of villages in Ethiopia.

The conference will start on the first day at around 13:30 and end at around 16:00 on the second day to facilitate arrival and departure on the same days. The conference language will be English. Participation is free of charge.

See below for the event's programme.

Academic committee: Achim Schlüter (ZMT), Anette Ruml (GIGA), Jann Lay (GIGA), Kati Krähnert (RWI), Lasse Loft (ZALF), Maximiliane Sievert (RWI), Philipp Grundmann (ATB), Tilman Brück (IGZ/HU).  

Local organizers: Gunther Bensch (RWI) and Maximiliane Sievert (RWI)
Contact: gunther.bensch@rwi-essen.de.