Presentation

My research concerns how today's sustainability challenges are negotiated and turned into practice, with a core focus on smallholder farming. I study how proposed policies and technologies are turned into practice and I try to understand the discursive and material structures and processes that lead to certain outcomes for farmers and the environment. In many of my projects I work with participatory methods with local communities to co-create bottom-up, locally preferred alternatives to dominant discourses.

Geographically most of my research is located in Uganda and South Africa. My research is situated within the fields of political ecology and Science and Technology Studies (STS), drawing broadly on theories from the critical social sciences. I work with discourse analysis combined with ethnographic and participatory methods.

What I can bring to this network ?

Extensive experience of interdisciplinary collaboration. Competence in policy analysis, participatory and ethnographic methods.

What I seek in this network ?

Connection with other researchers interested in interdisciplinary research. broadening my horizons and finding new contacts.

Presentation

Dr. Elisabeth Lagneaux is an Associated Senior Researcher at the Wyss Academy for Nature engaged in interdisciplinary research projects on agroecology. Having lived in the Amazon for nearly a decade, her work has focused on farming systems, deforestation, and restoration strategies. Elisabeth is also an Associate Scientist at the International Potato Center and is affiliated with Wageningen University and Research, where she explores the use of Serious Games to support transformation in agroforestry landscapes. In 2025, she was appointed Vice-President of the International Union for Agroforestry (IUAF). She is a fellow and alumni of the Foundation of German Business (SDW).

What I can bring to this network ?

Experience with various qualitative and participatory research methods for systems analysis, and knowledge on farming systems in the Peruvian Amazon.

What I seek in this network ?

To learn from other researchers, share about my experiences, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration and horizontal exchange.

Presentation

Jannike van Bruggen is a researcher at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. She holds a degree in Environmental Sciences and Transnational Water Management and completed her PhD in the field of farming systems research looking at food security and climate adaptation of smallholders in Uganda. She studies how climate change, water management, and socio-economic factors affect farming systems and smallholder farmers’ ability to adapt to climate change. She currently coordinates the SUFACHAIN project on developing sustainable agroforestry systems and value chains for fruit and nut production in Central Asia.

What I can bring to this network ?

experience with household surveys, spatial data analysis, farming systems approaches, integration of socio-economic and environmental data, background in water management with focus on irrigated smallholder systems, work experience in SSA, Central Asia, Southeastern Europe

What I seek in this network ?

exchange of best practices and ideas, jointly enhancing systems research, joint research efforts