Anticipation is coming to the fore as an emerging field of study that is influencing a wide variety of disciplines. This international conference will explore the interaction among anticipation, uncertainty and complexity. Some questions that we intend to raise are these: When does anticipation occur in behavior and life? What types of anticipation can be distinguished? What structures and processes are necessary for anticipatory action? How can anticipation be modeled? A better and more complete understanding of anticipation and its effects will improve theories and models of individual and collective human behavior and its consequences. The ability to anticipate in complex environments may improve the [...]

Leuphana University Lüneburg (foundation under public law), Faculty of Sustainability invites expressions of interest for 8 new PhD positions within a new, trans-disciplinary project funded by the State of Lower Saxony and Volkswagen Foundation entitled: Leverage Points for Sustainability Transformation: Institutions, People and Knowledge About the project Understanding how changes in interconnected social-ecological systems facilitate the transformation to sustainability represents one of the key challenges of sustainability science. Drawing on insights from systems thinking and solution-oriented transdisciplinary research, this project will focus on hitherto under-recognized leverage points – system properties where a small shift can lead to fundamental changes in [...]

MSc/MPhil specialising in Climate Change and Sustainable Development Convened by the African Climate & Development Initiative Global climate change presents daunting and exciting challenges, especially for the developing world, where traditional routes to development are at odds with the need for a low carbon economy. At the same time, building resilience to climate change and variability is fundamental to sustainable development and prosperity. A transdisciplinary approach that integrates the biophysical, technological, socio-economic sciences and the humanities is required to successfully engage with the challenges of climate change. South Africa is well positioned to engage with these issues because of its status as a developing country [...]

PHD STUDENTSHIP Title: Evaluating commercial cattle production as a resilient livelihood option for emergent smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Agrarian reform in South Africa faces serious challenges, many a legacy of historical policies of separate development.  Amongst these is the task of reforming a livestock production sector in which commercial production is undertaken almost exclusively by white farmers on private farms that occupy the majority of agricultural land, but exists in parallel with a relatively neglected subsistence livestock sector consisting of black smallholder farmers located on pockets of communally owned land.  Land reform policies are currently addressing [...]

Post Doctoral Fellowship at University of KwaZulu-Natal Centre for Water Resources Research ECOSYSTEM SERVICES, ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE   Scholarship description: Land, soil and water resources and the production of goods and services upon which society depends are intimately linked. However, rapid and extensive changes in land use and cover are resulting in the degradation of soil and water resources. Sustaining a catchment’s ability to generate benefits depends on recognition of the key processes, the linkages between different components, understanding their structure and function, and the spatial and temporal scales at which these are dominant or dormant, as [...]

Achieving global food security whilst reconciling demands on the environment is the greatest challenge faced by mankind. By 2050 at least 9 billion people will need food, and increasing incomes and urbanization will inevitably lead to dietary change. The food security challenge will increasingly encompass the triple burden of malnutrition – undernutrition, obesity and micronutrient deficiencies. The urgency of the issues has led to huge scientific strides forwards, making it difficult to keep up with the rapidly expanding volume of scientific research. The Second International Conference on Global Food Security therefore aims to deliver state-of-the-art analysis, inspiring visions and innovative [...]

Application Deadline: 10 May 2015 INTASAVE-CARIBSAVE Group is seeking a pro-active and self-motivated individual for the position of Project Development & Research Officer to be based in our Cape Town office.  The role is to work within our global philanthropy and project development team, undertaking research for climate-related projects and funding opportunities and project development tasks as directed.   Further details including a Job Description for the position can be found at: https://www.intasave.org/documents/PDF/Vacancies/Project-Development-Research-Officer_JD_SA_PDRO-10-05-15.pdf