International GIST Hub Conference in Munich

The first International GIST Hub Conference, held in Munich, convened researchers from LMU Munich and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC) to exchange ideas and advance collaborative research on inclusive governance and innovation in sustainability transitions, building on prior activities in Santiago. Across two days the conference addressed climate governance, green innovation networks, water security, critical mineral governance, and carbon dioxide removal, alongside junior researcher presentations on indigenous institutions and green hydrogen development in Patagonia. Interactive sessions facilitated cross-institutional exchange between participants and the generation of first collaborative research ideas. Cultural and scientific excursions — including visits to the Deutsches Museum and Munich's Werksviertel — complemented the academic program. The conference reaffirmed the GIST Hub as an important platform for German-Chilean collaboration on sustainability governance research.

Day 1 – Welcome, Current Projects, and Keynote Insights

We started the day at the Katholische Akademie in Munich, where Prof. Francesca Biagini (Vice President for Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics and International Affairs at LMU) and Prof. Ralf Ludwig (Chief Sustainability Officer at LMU) warmly welcomed participants, followed by a video greeting from the Chilean Embassy in Germany.

Prof. Johannes Rehner (UC) and Prof. Johannes Glückler (LMU) officially opened the conference, setting the stage for two days of interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.

Session 1: Current GIST Hub Projects

• Prof. Jonathan Barton – Political and economic geographies of renewables’ life cycles
• Prof. Eveline Dürr, Dr. Valeska Díaz, Meret Haack, Sophia Siegel – Planetary healing: transformation, (de)colonization and climate change
• Daniel Wagner, Prof. Johannes Glückler, Prof. Jelena Spanjol – Green supply and innovation networks between Bavaria and Latin America

Session 2: GIST Hub Prospects

• Prof. Soraya Heuss-Aßbichler – How to measure the sustainability of a recovery project?
• Dr. Martín Fonck – Technologies of anticipation and the dramaturgy of scales in the Chilean Andes
• Prof. Oscar Melo – Adapting to climate change and transitioning to sustainable water use in semi-arid basins
• Prof. Robert Panitz – Ownership networks to control access to critical minerals?

Session 3: GIST Hub Keynotes

• Prof. Julia Pongratz – The state of global climate and the need for carbon dioxide removal
• Prof. Guillermo Donoso – Collective water management

A Marketplace session gave participants the chance to exchange ideas, share their work, and explore future collaborations. The day also included a presentation by Prof. Benjamin Loy and Prof. Wolfgang Bongers on the aesthetics of eco-cultural speculative fictions, followed by the screening of an excerpt from the documentary “Crossed Archaeologies: Ecological Speculations on the Vampirized Camanchaca of Fray Jorge”.

We ended the day with a relaxing dinner at the Chinese Tower Beer Garden in the Englischer Garten.

Day 2 – Keynotes, Junior Research, and Future Pathways

We started day two with another engaging round of keynotes as well as the presentation of two junior research projects!

Session 1: GIST Hub Keynotes

• Prof. Laura Seelkopf – The climate crisis, policy distraction and support for fuel taxation
• Prof. Denise Misleh – Climate governance as entangled logics: depoliticising REDD+ in Chile

Session 2: GIST Hub Junior Research Projects

• Paul Vilchez – Indigenous institutions and the pursuit of prosperity
• Camila Albornoz – Green hydrogen futures: exploring the socio-ecological implications and narratives of green development in Patagonia

Session 3: GIST Hub Prospects

• Prof. Sebastian Pfotenhauer – Natural laboratories as policy instruments for technological learning and institutional capacity building: the case of Chile’s astronomy cluster
• Prof. Cristián Simonetti – Vital glaciers in times of planetary crisis
• Prof. Claudio Santander – Socioecological justice: debates and tensions in Chile’s national strategy for a just socioecological transition
• Prof. Guillermo Donoso, Prof. Daniela Rivera – Water security: challenging dimensions and structural conditions
• Prof. Imke Hoppe – From issue fatigue to transformation? Media effects across climate engagement segments

Another Marketplace session allowed participants to further develop ideas from Day 1 and identify joint topics for future projects. Additionally, information on research funding possibilities was provided by Dr. Thomas Ammerl from BAYFOR.

We closed the day with a walk along the Isar River to another of Munich’s emblematic beer gardens, enjoying the warm weather and continuing our discussions in a more informal setting.

Days 3 and 4 – Exploration and Reflection

The final two days included individual arrangements among colleagues from LMU and UC, as well as two optional tours:

• A visit to the Deutsches Museum, the world’s largest science and technology museum, where we explored a temporary exhibition on planetary health
• A tour of the Werksviertel, one of Munich’s newest city quarters that showcases exciting sustainability initiatives

We rounded off the conference with a get-together in the courtyard of the LMU Geography Department, reflecting on in-depth discussions, thought-provoking talks, and meaningful connections.

We are deeply grateful to all participants for their insightful contributions and active engagement. A huge thank you to the organising team led by Dr. Johanna Höhl for making this conference a success!