From Assessment to Action: Research Insights on Implementing Transformative Change

Thursday 25 Sept 2025, 15:30 → 20:40 Europe/Berlin

Room 254 (UFZ Leipzig)

Rafael Calderón Contreras (UFZ NSF, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico City), Yves Zinngrebe (UFZ NSF)

This public event forms part of a collaborative workshop dedicated to designing a practical guide for applying the objectives of the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment (TCA). During the event, lead authors will present their chapters as introduction for the TCA and discuss their relevance for science and practice. The second part of the event will introduce specific applications of the TCA to an array of sectors. This part of the event aims at showcasing concrete examples, methodological innovations, and place-based applications that illustrate how transformative change can be advanced across different contexts. The intention of this public event is to discuss possible contributions from science to deliver transformative change for a just a sustainable world. 

1 Welcome and Opening

Moderation: Dr. Yves Zinngrebe, Dr. Rafael Calderón

2 IPBES and its Impact

Prof. Dr. David Obura (IPBES Chair)

3 Transformative Change at UFZ

Prof. Dr. Katrin Böhning-Gaese (UFZ & Senckenberg)

4 Insights from the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment: Conceptual overview and highlights from the chapters

Conceptual Overview & Process

5 Audience Q&A

16:35 Coffee Break

6 The Importance and Potential of Practical Guides: Experiences from UFZ

Dr. Heidi Wittmer

7 Towards a Guideline for Catalysing Transformative Change in Practice

Dr. Rafael Calderón (UAM Cuajimalpa)

8 Extended Panel Discussion: The Role of Research in Transformative Change

Moderation: Prof. Dr. Daniela Thrän (UFZ)

Panel Contributions:
- Dr. Janita Gurung – “From Canopy to Change: Transforming Institutions, Power, and Practice in the Asia Pacific”
- Dr. Sebastián Villasante – Fisheries and Marine Systems
- Dr. Karina Benessaiah – Land-use Systems
- Dr. Jeanne Nel – BioAgora Transformative Change Knowledge Exchange Network
- Dr. Andra Horcea-Milcu – “The (Re)generative Uncertainty of Transformative Research Processes for Sustainability”
- Dr. Lelani Mannetti – “Bridging Research and Practice: Reflexive Pathways for Transformative Change”
- Dr. Francisco Alpízar – “Policy Incentives and Economic Instruments for Transformative Change”
- Dr. Marta Bonilla – “Governance and Community Pathways for Transformative Change”

9 Closing Reflections

Prof. Dr. Daniela Thrän & Dr. Yves Zinngrebe

18:40 Reception & Networking