Crete, with its remarkable heritage of two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (Samaria Gorge/Lefta Ori and Asterousia mountain range) and two UNESCO Global Geoparks (in Sitia and on Mount Psiloritis) together consisting of four UNESCO sites, stands as an emblematic territory for addressing the pressing challenges of our time. These extraordinary sites embody the concept of living laboratories, where human activity and ecological stewardship intertwine, offering, both, a fertile ground for rethinking actionable transformations and a forward-looking space to anticipate and navigate the evolving challenges of climate change and societal transformation

This conference, “Transdisciplinary and anticipatory dialogue for climate resilience. Envisioning actionable societal change.” invites participants to engage in transdisciplinary and anticipatory dialogues inspired by the unique characteristics of Crete’s Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks and their mission as sites of innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. The conference seeks to address the global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality through integrative approaches that draw on the best of science, humanities, and the arts. By harnessing the anticipatory potential of science, humanities, and the arts, we aim to foster discussions that bridge disciplines and worldviews, converging on actionable solutions for the present while envisioning the futures we wish to create.

Exploring the Themes of Climate Resilience and Societal Change

The conference will examine pathways to envision and enact transformations in response to global ecological crises, focusing on the interplay of consensus-oriented and agonistic approaches to action. Anticipation will serve as a guiding principle, encouraging participants to look beyond immediate challenges and explore how the insights from Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities (SAH), alongside STEM and technical disciplines, can help design inclusive, just, and sustainable futures? A core feature of the conference will be a guided field journey. As an immersive experience, it will allow participants to engage directly with the landscapes and communities at the heart of our discussions. By observing and engaging with these living laboratories in action, we aim to inspire innovative approaches to climate action and societal transformation.

Possible Guiding Questions:

• What drivers, pressures, or opportunities catalyze innovation and change in practical contexts, particularly through anticipatory practices?
• How can transdisciplinary and systemic approaches bridge the gap between research and actionable outcomes?
• In what ways can collaborative practices anticipate and address future climate challenges?
• How can creative actions inspire shifts in perspectives, practices, and policies?

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following paper categories are welcome:

We encourage a variety of contributions, including but not limited to:

• Research papers and panel discussions.
• Artistic and creative presentations (e.g. performances, visual arts, digital media).
• Case studies and practice-based contributions.
• Workshops.

The following types of participation are accepted:

• Pecha Kucha (20 slides, 20 sec per slide, 7-8 minutes)
• Poster (physical or digital, 7-8 minutes)
• Presentation (10-12 minutes)
• Workshops (1 hour and a half)
• Full papers describing ...
• Posters describing ...

List of Topics

We invite contributions that explore one or more of the following themes, emphasizing anticipation as a tool for transformative action:

1. Transdisciplinary Pathways to Climate Resilience:

• How can SAH collaborate with STEM disciplines to design and implement solutions for climate resilience and environmental protection?
• What are the most effective ways to bridge disciplinary and societal divides for impactful transformation?

2. Social Inclusion and Justice in Transformation:

• How can we ensure that we work together with marginalized communities and future generations in order to shape sustainable futures, anticipating the challenges and opportunities this focus brings?
• What strategies promote equity and justice in climate action and resiliencebuilding initiatives?
• How can we engage community involvement and participation in this transformation and how they can engage us in the already existing movements/labs etc.?
• How can we turn/translate the problem into a participatory research or build more effective approaches to climate problems by engaging with the existing transformative activism through participatory action research and collaborative knowledge production?

3. Cultural and Artistic Dimensions of Sustainability:

• How can local cultural practices, knowledge and traditions help us anticipate and respond to contemporary sustainability challenges?
• What role do artistic interventions play in fostering critical dialogue and envisioning transformative futures?
• What past, present and/or or anticipated events can foster local communities' capacity for transition?

4. Agonistic and Consensus-based Practices:

• How can conflicting perspectives and power dynamics be navigated in climate governance and societal change?
• What role do dissent and consensus play in shaping actionable solutions, and how could the anticipatory approach contribute to ensuring their feasibility?

5. Conflict and Consensus in Climate Governance:

• How can agonistic and consensus-based approaches inform strategies for climate adaptation and mitigation?
• What role does dissent play in driving innovation and actionable change in the face of anticipated crisis? What is the role of resistance to change?
• What is the role of biodiversity and circularity in sustainability of rural communities and climate change/ governance?

6. Living Laboratories for Transformation:

• What models of practice (laboratories, collectives, etc.) and Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks serve as platforms for integrating ecological stewardship with societal innovation?
• What lessons can be learned from the practices and governance models of these territories?
• Community based research on site : explore one or two problem-solving workshops on specific issues raised by the local community

Committees

Organizing Committee

• Maria Bakatsaki, Technical University of Crete (Greece), local organizer
• Catarina Cadima, Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto (Portugal)
• Andrea Catellani, Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium)
• Anastazija Dimitrova, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (North Macedonia)
• Sonja Novak, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Osijek (Croatia)
• Eleni Pateraki, Technical University of Crete (Greece)
• Ana Sofia Ribeiro, Instituto de Ciências Sociais, Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)
• Panagiota Sergaki, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)

Scientific committee

• Aet Annist, University of Tartu (Estonia)
• Maria Bakatsaki, Technical University of Crete (Greece)
• Catarina Cadima, Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto (Portugal)
• Andrea Catellani, Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium)
• Anastazija Dimitrova, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (North Macedonia)
• Jasmina Husanović, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Boris Kantsepolsky. The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo (Israel)
• Martine Legris, Lille University (France)
• Mahsa Motlagh, Kassel Institute for Sustainability, Kassel (Germany)
• Sonja Novak, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Osijek (Croatia)
• Luis Teixeira, Universidade Catolica Portuguesa - School of Arts (Portugal)
• Besa Shahini, Faculty of Economy, University of Tirana (Albania)
• Baiba Prūse, University College Cork (Ireland)
• Ana Sofia Ribeiro, Instituto de Ciências Sociais, Universidade de Lisboa (Portugal)
• Alexandra Revez, MaREI the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, University College Cork/Environmental Research Institute (Ireland)
• Maria Fernanda Rollo, NOVA University of Lisbon (Portugal)
• Panagiota Sergaki, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece)

Invited Speakers

• Gerald Mullally, University College Cork, Ireland
• To be announced shortly

Publication

We are pleased to announce that selected papers presented at the conference will be considered, after peer review, for publication in a special issue entitled “Transforming Mind-sets for Sustainable and Circular Societies” of the Open Access Journal Frontiers in Sustainability. Manuscripts accepted for publication are subject to publication fees. Fee support is available, and a number of institutional agreements are in place. More information will follow soon."

Venue

The conference will be held in Chania Crete. The venue of the conference is the Conference Center of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, Alsyllio Agrokipiou, 1 Makedonias, Chania, 73100.

Contact

For information related to the submissions and the program, please contact shiftcost.chania2025@gmail.com.

For issues related to grants, contact the Grant Hold Manager (Joana Ralão) at shiftcost@fcsh.unl.pt

Acknowledgment

This event is based upon work from COST Action SHiFT, CA21166, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) https://shift-cost.eu/ COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation. https://www.cost.eu/