The workshop aims to bring together early-career researchers from a range of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, climate and environmental sciences, and geography. The objective is to discuss the direct and indirect links between climate change and mental health in German-speaking countries and South Africa, and to systematically compare impacts and coping strategies.
The findings will be synthesised into science-based recommendations in the form of a policy brief. In addition to keynote lectures and panel discussions with leading scholars from German-speaking countries and South Africa, interactive formats such as poster presentations and a World Café are planned.
The workshop forms part of the joint ASSAf–Leopoldina project series on climate change and health. Participation in the workshop is free of charge for selected researchers. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered. The application deadline is Friday, 3 April 2026. Participants will be selected and notified by 30 April 2026.
The scientific coordination on behalf of the Leopoldina will be led by Prof. Dr Simone Kühn (Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin) and Prof. Dr Frauke Kraas (University of Cologne). On behalf of ASSAf, the workshop will be co-led by Prof. Dr Tholene Sodi (University of Limpopo) and Prof. Dr Mary Scholes (University of the Witwatersrand).