SDGnexus Network
Welcome to the SDGnexus Network
- The network in brief
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The SDGnexus Network is a global community of universities, research centers, and stakeholders committed to promoting the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. The SDGnexus Network is a part of the DAAD “Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation – exceed” program and, as such, it aims to strengthen higher education for enabling effective and innovative contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
The SDGnexus Network has three main objectives:
- Establish common research framework through joint research projects between our network partners.
- Qualify the next generation of scientists as agents of change.
- Promote exchange and collaboration between our network of higher education institutions and extramural actors.
- Contact
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SustainableDevelopmentGoalsnexus Network
Senckenbergstrasse 3
D-35390 Giessen
Phone: +49 641 99 12705
Fax: +49 641 99 12709
E-Mail
Research
Research
The SDGnexus Network promotes the Nexus approach for the establishment of its research framework. The Nexus approach goes beyond the investigation of single SDGs and allows for flexibility in identifying vital context-specific interlinkages between SDGs. Considering the main development challenges of our partner countries and the diverse potential of our partner institutions, we have identified five Nexus areas that will serve as a stepping stone for further research on different SDGs and their interlinkages. | The SDGnexus Network Research Publications disseminates multidisciplinary research promoting the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. Our publications encompass a range of formats, including peer-reviewed Research Papers, Books and Book Chapters, Working Papers, and Other Publications. Spanning diverse nexus areas, these research contributions collectively drive the progress of context-specific interlinkages between SDGs. |
Crop production and livestock husbandry are globally of tremendous importance for food security and nutrition, rural employment, and income generation... |
Rigorously peer-reviewed studies delve into the intersections of various disciplines to provide insights into sustainable development issues. |
Water is a vital resource for all forms of life on earth, and the use of this resource creates several synergies and trade-offs between a variety of SDGs... |
In-depth publications that offer extended explorations of critical topics, presenting holistic perspectives and analyses within the framework of sustainable development. |
Nexus 3 | Urban and Rural Areas » A growing world population and demographic or socio-economic changes lead to a rapid growth of cities and involve a changing relationship between rural and urban areas... |
Timely works that capture ongoing discussions, preliminary findings, and evolving ideas, fostering open dialogue and encouraging collaboration among researchers and practitioners. |
The mining and consumption of raw materials such as fossil fuels and ores have shaped the earth for centuries. It sometimes led to booming economies and prosperous societies... |
Diverse content forms such as policy briefs, commentaries, and letters provide informative overviews, aiding in the dissemination of crucial knowledge to a wide audience interested in sustainable development. |
Education and innovation on information and communication technologies (ICTs), as well as on big data analytics, are essential tools for successful SDG monitoring... |
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Are you interested in publishing your work in the SDGnexus Network Working Paper Series?
Please contact our Technical Editor Dr. Christoph Funk (Christoph.Funk@wirtschaft.uni-giessen.de)
Research
The SDGnexus Network promotes the Nexus approach for the establishment of its research framework. The Nexus approach goes beyond the investigation of single SDGs and allows for flexibility in identifying vital context-specific interlinkages between SDGs. Considering the main development challenges of our partner countries and the diverse potential of our partner institutions, we have identified five Nexus areas that will serve as a steppingstone for further research on different SDGs and their interlinkages. |
Peer-reviewed Publications
The research papers of the SDGnexus Network encompass a wide array of multidisciplinary studies that align with the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. These papers are published across various nexus areas, collectively contributing to the advancement of sustainability science. |
Otrachshenko, V., Popova, O., & Tavares, J. (2020). Extreme temperature and extreme violence: evidence from Russia. Economic Inquiry, 59(1), 243-262.
Books and Book Chapters
The books and book chapters of the SDGnexus Network encompass a wide array of multidisciplinary studies that align with the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. These books and book chapters are published across various nexus areas, collectively contributing to the advancement of sustainability science. |
Working Papers
The discussion and working papers of the SDGnexus Network encompass a wide array of multidisciplinary studies that align with the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. These papers are published across various nexus areas, collectively contributing to the advancement of sustainability science. |
Other Publications
Other publications (commentary, letters, policy briefs) of the SDGnexus Network encompass a wide array of multidisciplinary studies that align with the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. They are published across various nexus areas, collectively contributing to the advancement of sustainability science. |
Policy briefs
Thesis
People & Network
With a broad cross-section of partners, the network is ideally positioned to facilitate the core objectives: Research, Networking and the training of agents of change. Find out more about our partner institutions.
News & Events
01.06.2023 - Dr. Iskandar Abdullaev joins SDGnexus Network as a Guest Professor based at Justus Liebig University in Giessen, Germany
WSCC
Water Security & Climate Change Conference 2024
- About
- The Water Security and Climate Change Conference (WSCC) is an annual event where scientists, policy makers, and stakeholders from various sectors discuss the diverse facets of water security and its relationship to climate variability and climate change. The conference strives to go beyond science and build bridges between the state-of-the-art in multiple disciplines and different groups of stakeholders and practitioners. The WSCC aims to provide a platform for discussions on water and food secure societies, by creating a stimulating environment that produces innovative ideas and clear pathways towards their implementation. This successful conference has already taken place in Thailand, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Vietnam, and Ecuador.
- Background
- The WSCC is an initiative of the ‘Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation – exceed’ program. It has been initially implemented under the auspices of the Sustainable Water Management in Developing Countries network (SWINDON) and the Centers for Natural Resources and Development (CNRD) in close cooperation with the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). The scientific and organizational committee has been continuously expanded and today includes the Food Security Center (FSC) and the SDGnexus Network.
- Conference Themes
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Find out more about the three conference themes of the WSCC24:
- Theme 1: Integrated Urban-Rural Water Management (IUWM)
- Theme 2: Agriculture and Resource-Use Transformation along the Urban-Rural Continuum
- Theme 3: From Data to Decision: Building a Sustainable Water Future
Abstract Submission
- Abstract Submission
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Abstract Submission Platform is Open
Submission Deadline: 15.06.2024The WSCC conference planning committee welcomes your abstracts for oral presentations and scientific posters related to one of the three conference themes. The submission period is 01 May – 23 June 2024.
All relevant information related to the abstract submission are summarized in the call for abstracts. Please note: The WSCC24 is planned as an in-person conference. An online participation for presenters is not foreseen. All presenters should be prepared to be at the conference in Gießen to present their content during the conference.
- Submission Instructions
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- All abstracts must be submitted online between 01 May and 23 June 2024
- Abstracts can be submitted as ‘Oral or Poster Presentation’ or ‘Poster Presentation only’
- All abstracts must be submitted through the submission portal in text form
- The following information must be included in the submitted abstract: presentation title, all author(s)’ identifying information (including names, degrees, and institutional affiliations), WSCC topics (see list of topics in the submission portal), three to five keywords and narrative text (limited to 1800 characters)
- The conference organization committee may propose an alternative presentation format (open space sessions), based on the available times in the conference program
- Criteria for Abstract Selection
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Abstracts will be selected by the WSCC scientific committee on the basis of the need to organize a well-balanced program and according to the following criteria:
- Relevance of the presentation for the conference themes
- Potential of the presentation to link science, practice, and decision-making
- Quality of abstract, in terms of content and language
- Originality and innovation
- The introduction text should not exceed 25% of the total abstract. The methods, results, and problem solving approach should denote 75% of the abstract.
- Limited Funding for Selected Presenters
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Limited funding is available to support selected presenters in particular from DAC listed countries. The conference organizers will contact potential presenters eligible for funding after the submission deadline to determine the further proceeding. For selected presenters the WSCC24 may cover, depending on the necessity:
- International travel (round-trip ticket) from the nearest international airport in the country of departure to Frankfurt am Main (FRA).
- Airport transfer to/from the hotel in Gießen by public transport or shuttle.
- The registration fee for the conference.
- Four nights of accommodation (check-in 08th of October, check-out 12th of October) in a hotel selected by the conference organizing team including breakfast.
Please note that the WSCC2024 will NOT cover the following:
- Local transport from current place of residence to the nearest international airport in your country
- Airport taxes, if any
- Visa fee, if any
- Travel health insurance fees
- Daily allowance or boarding that exceeds the meals that are offered during the conference
Spouses/Partners are not supported, but they can attend the conference as participants when paying the conference fee. Travel arrangements for spouses/partners need to be arranged by the participant and will not be organized by the conference organizers.
Conference Themes 2024
The traditional business-as-usual approach to urban water management has massively complicated and hindered urban development pathways with dynamically designed and adaptable infrastructure and technologies. A forward-looking IUWM approach means a paradigm shift from a traditional set of technologies to a synergistic (dynamic) relationship and solutions for urban agglomerations and the interplay with adjacent rural areas. The successful linkage between the urban system and the watershed requires social participation and integrated management to achieve optimal social, economic and environmental outcomes. This will ensure that the processes and outcomes meet the requirements of sustainability.
The integrated approach to urban-rural water management requires interdisciplinary approaches and the bringing together of components that affect urban water management, such as stormwater and flood protection, wastewater treatment, water supply and solid waste, and rural areas with watersheds, groundwater and agricultural activities. This interaction between urban and rural areas can be seen, for example, in the effects caused by the disproportionate growth of urban areas. For example, the availability and quality of water in the surrounding rural areas can be affected by excessive and uncontrolled water consumption and the discharge of untreated wastewater, which in turn affects the general quality and availability of water.
IUWM is a highly complex field with a multitude of boundary conditions, dynamic processes and optimization requirements, in which individual site conditions (political, administrative, social and technological) must also be taken into account. This is where the use of AI makes sense. The use of AI can close the gap of intelligent supporting infrastructure in integrated urban-rural water management projects and help to realize smart management and monitoring, e.g. with regard to autonomous operation, intelligent inspection, remote control
and emergency measures on site. Furthermore, AI can be used to optimize the determination of the Urban Water Security Index as a reliable decision-making criterion for planners in the field of urban water management.
The contributions and discussions related to integrated urban-rural water management will focus particularly on the
following aspects:
- Urban-rural continuum and urban spatial planning
- Urban-rural water security
- Big data and AI in urban-rural water management
The predicted population growth in urban areas worldwide will lead to enormous challenges in the supply and distribution of water, food, and energy. For this reason, rural and urban areas must be interlinked, and strategies developed to ensure the efficient use and exchange of resources. Sustainable agricultural production and landscape management with innovative concepts for urban areas and transition zones are necessary to ensure livelihoods and environmental health along the urban-rural continuum. Land-use concepts should target increased urban primary productivity, shortening resource cycles, efficient water use and increased water quality as well as an improved urban climate in adaptation to increasing temperatures. In this thematic area the conference will particularly focus on how agricultural systems can be interfaced efficiently along the rural-urban continuum regarding resource availability, food production, social peace, health, ecological sustainability, urban climate management and related themes.
The contributions and discussions related to the agriculture topic area will focus particularly on the following
aspects of the rural-urban continuum:
- Agricultural production systems in transition between rural and urban areas
- Innovation & resource use in urban agriculture
- Water pathways and food webs affecting markets, people, and livelihoods along the rural-urban continuum.
In a world facing an escalating crisis of water scarcity and the intensifying pressures of climate change, embracing data-driven decision-making has become paramount for optimizing the utilization of this vital resource - guaranteeing equitable access for all. Real-time information from sensor networks, satellites, and citizen initiatives provides valuable insight into the state of our water resources, both in terms of their quantity and quality. Using an open-science approach fosters transparency and collaboration between researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and communities, breaking down silos and promoting knowledge sharing. Besides, effective knowledge management is key. Data curation, analysis, and visualization transform complex information into actionable insights, empowering stakeholders to proactively navigate water challenges. Particularly universities and research institutions play a vital role as hubs for innovation, research, and capacity building, fostering the next generation of water data experts.
However, utilizing the power of data alone is not enough. While open science and knowledge management unlock the insights from diverse sources, we must go further and consider the broader connections within water resource management. This is where “nexus thinking” comes into play. Recognizing the interconnectedness of water with food, energy, and the environment, we can leverage data to develop integrated (e.g., nature based) solutions or implement hybrid approaches that combine cutting-edge technology with traditional methods. Through combined efforts and the implementation of data-driven approaches, we can achieve optimal water resource management, enhance resilience to challenges, and establish a sustainable future where all have access to this essential resource. Consequently, Theme 3 invites researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share their insights on data-driven strategies, open science approaches, nexus thinking, and knowledge management.
The contributions and discussions related to information technologies and managing urban water data will focus
particularly on the following aspects:
- Sensing Change: Open Data for Regional Water & Climate
- Transforming Data into Action: Knowledge Management for Water Security
- Connecting the Dots: From Data to Water-Energy-Food Solutions
The network in brief
The SDGnexus Network is a global community of universities, research centers, and stakeholders committed to promoting the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. The SDGnexus Network is a part of the DAAD “Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation – exceed” program and, as such, it aims to strengthen higher education for enabling effective and innovative contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
The SDGnexus Network has three main objectives:
- Establish common research framework through joint research projects between our network partners.
- Qualify the next generation of scientists as agents of change.
- Promote exchange and collaboration between our network of higher education institutions and extramural actors.
Contact
SustainableDevelopmentGoalsnexus Network
Senckenbergstrasse 3
D-35390 Giessen
Phone: +49 641 99 12705
Fax: +49 641 99 12709
E-Mail
Imprint & Picture Credits
Contact
SDGnexus Network
Senckenbergstraße 3
35390 Gießen
Sources
Section | Name/ Description | Credits |
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Landing Page | Graphic | Graphic by Maraike Büst | Picture by Simon Berger from Unsplash |
Research | Research Area | Picture by engin akyurt from Unsplash |
Working Paper Series | Picture by JJ Ying from Unsplash | |
Nexus 1 | Picture by Helena Lopes by Pexels | |
Nexus 2 | Picture by Mrjn Photography by Unsplash | |
Nexus 3 | Picture by Pat Whelen by Unsplash | |
Nexus 4 | Picture by Pexels from Pixabay | |
Nexus 5 | Picture by Chris Liverani by Unsplash | |
SDG Icons & Logo | https://sdgs.un.org/goals | |
Education | Graphic Sustainable Transition Brochure | Graphic by Till Schürmann |
Sustainable Transition Master Programme | Picture by Fauxels by Pexels | |
PhD Scholarship Programme | ||
SDG related MOOCS | Picture by Startup Stock Photos by Pexels | |
People & Network | Graphic World | Graphic designed by Maraike Büst using Freepik from www.flaticon.com (licensed under CC BY 3.0) |
Logos of Core Partners, Collaborating Partners, JLU and other exceed Centers | The rights of all logos used belong to the facilities, projects, institutes, centers and universities. |
|
News & Events | News | Picture by Lora Ohanessian by Unsplash |
Events | Picture by Ono Kosuki from Pexels | |
General | Icons & Buttons | All Icons & Buttons are designed by Maraike Büst using Freepik from www.flaticon.com (licensed under CC BY 3.0) |
Call for Guest Professorship
The SDGnexus Network at the Center for International Development and Environmental Research (Zentrum für internationale Entwicklungs- und Umweltforschung, ZEU), based at the Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), Germany, invites applications for a
Guest Professorship
Sustainable Development Goal Interactions
The position is available from July 01, 2024, for a period of six months.
About the SDGnexus Network
The SDGnexus Network, consisting of partners from Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, provides a common research framework related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and aims to analyze synergies and trade-offs among individual SDGs (SDG nexus analysis). The SDGnexus Network intends to prepare the next generation of scientists by implementing a variety of teaching programs and training activities, with particular attention to the needs of junior researchers. The SDGnexus Network investigates interrelations among single SDGs within the following five focal research areas: Food systems, Water, Urban & rural areas, Natural resources, and SDG monitoring. Please find further information on the research areas at https://t1p.de/q7mw
The SDGnexus Network is supported by the DAAD with funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Your responsibilities
As a guest professor, you will
- be involved in teaching activities related the international virtual study program MSc Sustainable Transition,
- conduct research in line with one or more of the five core research areas of the SDGnexus Network,
- draft a third-party funding proposal related to one or more research areas defined above,
- support our early career scientists in their scientific development.
Please note: We expect your presence in Giessen during the entire duration of your guest professorship. A virtual participation is not possible.
Your qualifications and competences
You
- hold an excellent Ph.D. in a research field related to the SDGs,
- have a comprehensive track record of peer reviewed publications, including high level publications,
- have extensive teaching experience related to at least one of the research areas defined above,
- have a citizenship of an ODA recipient country and conduct research in Central Asia or Latin America,
- communicate fluently in spoken and written English,
- are a highly motivated person that brings curiosity in research and is committed to pursue scientific excellence in a multi-disciplinary, collaborative, and international environment.
Our offer to you
During your stay we offer
- a monthly gross salary of EUR 5,500,
- a fully equipped working place at the Center for International Development and Environmental Research based at the Justus Liebig University Giessen,
- a research network with partners from Latin America and Central Asia that grants you a close collaboration with ongoing research projects,
- a return ticket for you and optionally for family members travelling with you (spouse and minor children).
Application process
Please submit your application stating the reference code SDGNN/GP3 until March 31, 2024, using our platform: https://survey.hrz.uni-giessen.de/index.php/548931?lang=en
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file. Only complete applications, with documents in the order listed below, will be accepted:
- Curriculum Vitae
- One-page mission statement with an outline of research interest
- Plan of proposed teaching activities
- Documentation of teaching experience (teaching portfolio)
- Academic Certificates
- List of publications
- List of external research funds
The SDGnexus Network is seeking a larger percentage of women in academia; therefore, qualified female applicants are especially encouraged to apply. The SDGnexus Network is part of the JLU, which is a family-friendly university. We therefore welcome applicants with children. We give preference to applications from disabled people of equal aptitude. For further information on the Center for International Development and Environmental Research or the SDGnexus Network see https://www.uni-giessen.de/zeu or https://www.sdgnexus.net
Please be aware that we will only contact successful applicants.