KreativEU Network Conference at the University of Greifswald

🎓Title
Bridging Challenges: Rurality, Society and Environment

📅 Date + Location
24 - 25 February 2027, University of Greitswald

💻 + 🌍 Mode
in person

🗣️ Formats

• poster session
• plenary session
• parallel workshops including external keynotes
• wrapping up session
• pre- and after-conference work spaces for research teams

🔍 Workshop Topics

• Rurality and Rural Development
  • The partner universities of KreativEU are predominantly located in rural areas in Europe, i.e., rural location is a bond between the partner universities. However, the concept of rurality can vary significantly in terms of its application in research and teaching, as well as in the provision of basic services and numerous other aspects of our communities. The conceptualisation of the term 'rural' varies between academic institutions. For instance, the definition of 'rural' might be interpreted differently at one university than at another. Additionally, the understanding of rurality can be subject to variation across different subjects, cultures, and traditions. The question of whether rurality is perceived as positive or negative is one that is not easily answered. Consequently, there is an imperative for a collective engagement to be undertaken in order to deliberate on the conceptualisation of rurality for our partner universities and countries. This encompasses the delineation of the concept of rurality, accompanied by an examination of the challenges and opportunities it presents, particularly with regard to fundamental social services and the operations of universities.
  • All participants from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines are welcome, “natural participants” being geographers, social scientists, economists, historians, cultural scientists, planning scientists and others. Ideally participants from all universities will take part.
• Environment across Scales: Connecting Life and Earth Sciences from Cells to Ecosystems and Continents
  • Environmental processes operate across a continuum of biological and geological scales, from cellular metabolism and microbial interactions to ecosystem dynamics and continental‑scale environmental change. This workshop explores how these scales are connected in space and time, emphasizing that small‑scale biological processes can propagate upward to influence biogeochemical cycles, landscape patterns, and climate‑driven trajectories, while large‑scale forces such as sediment flow, land‑use change, hydrological regimes, and atmospheric dynamics shape conditions at the level of cells, organisms, and communities. By bringing together researchers from across life and Earth sciences, the workshop aims to foster a shared cross‑scale perspective on environmental change and sustainability. A central objective is to create a space for networking and the development of long‑term, interdisciplinary collaborations that connect expertise across disciplines and scales.
  • “Natural participants” of this workshop are natural scientists, i.e. earth scientists, biologists, ecologists, environmental sicnetists, biochemists and scientists of related disciplines.
• Study of Contemporary Religion in Europe: Networking and Research Collaboration across KreativEU
  • This workshop brings together researchers at KreativEU partner universities whose work explores religion in contemporary European societies. It welcomes empirical, theoretical, and theological perspectives on the varieties of contemporary religion in Europe, as well as historical perspectives where they help explain present-day developments. The aim is to get to know one another’s work, identify shared research questions, and explore opportunities for future collaboration across the alliance. Short introductions to participants’ research will provide the starting point for discussions of shared interests and possible collaborations. The workshop is open to colleagues from all disciplines and at all career stages, including doctoral researchers.
  • Participants of this workshop are researchers working on religion in contemporary Europe, particularly in theology, religious studies, sociology, anthropology, history, political science and cultural studies. Colleagues from other disciplines with relevant research interests are equally welcome.

👩‍💻 Participants

• Researchers from KreativEU Partners and beyond
• KreativEU Students of all 3 cycles, i.e. PhD, Master, Bachelor
• Researchers from Associated Partners