Leibniz Labs promote interdisciplinary collaboration between research and practice

With the new "Leibniz Labs" format, the Leibniz Association aims to strengthen its interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and promote the transfer of knowledge into practice. As part of this project, three Leibniz Labs will be funded and supported for 3 years with 3 million euros in the initial phase. The ATB is involved in two of the selected Leibniz Labs that were successful in the application phase: Leibniz Lab Systemic Sustainability and Leibniz Lab Pandemic Research Preparedness. The aim of the Leibniz Labs is to work on complex topics with the help of the extensive knowledge of the various Leibniz Institutes and to make it as directly available and usable as possible for social practice. Knowledge transfer is to be achieved through the direct involvement of stakeholders from society, politics and business. Intensive networking activities and exchange formats are an integral part of the concept. Leibniz Lab Systemic Sustainability The Leibniz Lab Systemic Sustainability: biodiversity, climate, agriculture and nutrition within planetary boundaries   aims to effectively protect biodiversity and the climate while at the same time ensuring resilient agriculture to secure food supplies. Knowledge of these mutually influencing challenges requires the implementation of systemic solutions. Science and society must now work together more closely than ever to create solutions for a sustainable transformation, as several planetary boundaries have already been exceeded. The Leibniz-Lab Systemic Sustainability is investigating various pilot areas around the world in order to identify regional requirements and place them in a global context with the aim of identifying holistic solutions. The Leibniz Innovation Farm for Sustainable Bioeconomy (InnoHof), which is coordinated by ATB, will also be involved in this project with an inter- and transdisciplinary, translational research approach. Many of the Leibniz Institutes involved in InnoHof are also part of the 41 research institutions and 11 research clusters of the Leibniz Association, which now want to establish a central knowledge and advice hub on topics relating to biodiversity, climate, agriculture and nutrition. Leibniz Lab Pandemic Research Preparedness Since the coronavirus pandemic at the latest, most people have been very aware of another form of global crisis. But how can we better prepare for future pandemics? The Leibniz Lab initiative Pandemic Research Preparedness: One Health, One Future  is looking into this question. In line with the Leibniz Labs concept, the focus here is also on transdisciplinary dialogue between science and society. The knowledge gained will be used to support stakeholders in drawing up action plans in the event of a pandemic, both in terms of prevention and an efficient response to future pandemics. A total of 41 Leibniz Institutes are participating in this challenging project. They want to create a think tank that can thematically complement existing initiatives focussing on infection control and thus promote global exchange. They will address issues relating to pathogen exchange between environmental animals and humans, the physical and mental burden of disease, pandemic management and pandemic-resilient education systems. The aim is to reduce the vulnerability of the population in future pandemics, increase resilience and protect the next generation. In particular, ATB plans to contribute its expertise in the area of barn design and intelligent sensors. This should enable animals to be better protected, outbreaks of disease in livestock to be recognised at an early stage and animal-to-human transmission to be prevented. Prof Barbara Sturm awaits the future work of the Leibniz Labs with great anticipation: "We are looking forward to what is sure to be a fruitful collaboration across the various fields of knowledge. Research in dialogue with society and the transfer of knowledge have long been a top priority at the ATB, so we anticipate a good and constructive exchange and co-creative development processes with all interested stakeholders in order to better meet the current and future challenges of our society." Contact persons at ATB: Leibniz Lab Systemic Sustainability Prof Dr Barbara Sturm Leibniz-Lab Pandemic Research Preparedness Prof Dr Thomas Amon Prof Dr Barbara Sturm Leibniz Labs