News: BRIGHT-Futures

[18.05.2026] Shared Visions for a Sustainable Future – Key Takeaway from the Festival der Zukünfte (Futures)

BRIGHT-Futures building its network in the Allgäu region

Imagine 40 years from now…

Where do you buy your fruits and vegetables?

Who grows your food?

What does farming look like in 2060?

These were the questions we posed to participants who stopped by the BRIGHT-Futures information booth at the Festival der Zukünfte, which took place on 14 May in Kempten, Allgäu. Discover more about the visions we gathered.

[07.05.2026] BRIGHT-Futures at the Festival der Zukünfte in Kempten, Allgäu (9–16 May 2026)

BRIGHT-Futures connects science and society for future-oriented, sustainable agriculture at the Festival der Zukünfte in Kempten, Allgäu (9–16 May 2026) – from the opening symposium on sustainable farming to our “Zukunftsfest” info booth on 14 May…[more]

[09.03.2026] BRIGHT-Futures in Western Kenya: Research with Smallholder Farmers

Since early March the BRIGHT-Futures team (Bowy, Hannah M. and Vivien) has set off for Siaya County in western Kenya.

Working alongside smallholder farmers, they aim to highlight the links between farming systems and social, ecological, and biodiversity dimensions in the region.

Updates on their work will follow soon!

[29.01.2026] Scoping trip to Allgäu

The BF team is starting the new year with its first field trip to the Allgäu from January 26 to 28.. [read more]

[07.10.25] BRIGHT-Futures Connects with SYSTEMSHIFT

The BRIGHT-Futures team is delighted to connect with Prof. Dr. Tobias Kümmerle, head of the Conservation Biogeography Lab at Humboldt University Berlin.

On 27 October 2025, Prof. Kümmerle visited the University of Hohenheim, where he gave an inspiring talk on his ongoing research projects. His presentation sparked lively discussions among BRIGHT-Futures researchers and opened exciting avenues for future cooperation.

This new collaboration explores on synergies with Prof. Kümmerle’s ERC-funded project SYSTEMSHIFT https://biogeo.pages.cms.hu-berlin.de/website/systemshift/, which explores how land-use dynamics influence biodiversity and conservation opportunities.

Link to Prof. Dr. Kümmerle's website https://biogeo.pages.cms.hu-berlin.de/website/

[03.10.25] Successful completion of the scoping trip to Kerala

In early October, the Bright-Futures team has successfully completed their month-long scoping trip to Kerala, India.

The main objective of the scoping trip was to visit farms and gain a deeper understanding of local farming systems: their structure, challenges, and opportunities. These insights helped the PhD researchers to refine their research questions, strengthen their methodological approaches, and adapt their research instruments to the local context.

Learn more about the outcome of the trip

Appreciation letter (in Malayalam) from the BF-Team to our wonderful host, Sally, and the EcoFriends farmers' association in Wayanad

[08.09.25] Field Trip to Kerala

Since 8 October, the BRIGHT-Futures team, consisting of Hannah(s), Navya, Ingo, Bowy, and Huei Ying, has been in Kerala for their first scoping trip. The objectives of this trip are to meet with collaborators, establish official collaboration agreements, and visit farmers and their fields to gain a deeper understanding of local farming systems. We were deeply touched by the hospitality and generosity of our Keralan partners, as well as the farmers’ passion for their work!

Learn more about the scoping trip

Fostering further collaborations: The KAU–UHOH consortium

The BRIGHT-Futures team during their first farm visit in Wayanad, with much appreciation to Mr. Dileep Kumar K. J. (a fruit, spice, and paddy farmer)

[22.07.25] Preparatory Workshop for the Fieldwork in Kerala

With all PhD candidates on board, we held a workshop to prepare for our first fieldwork this fall. The workshop was supported by the PhD candidates of Jun. Prof. Dr. Seufert- Haani T. and Julia Fortin. It was a truly productive day!

[16.07.25] 3 new PhD researchers

We warmly welcome Hannah Uther (Topic: Ecosystem Ecology), Hannah Melcher (Topic: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services), and Navya Miriam Itty (Topic: Socio-economics) to the team!

[30.06.25] Visit from Dr. Archana Sathyan

Group excursion to Eselsmühle in Echterdingen

From 23–27 June, we were pleased to welcome Dr. Archana Sathyan, our key collaborator from Kerala, India. Her visit to the University of Hohenheim was part of a broader collaboration, and she played an important role in refining our project planning and preparations for the upcoming field trip to Kerala this autumn. The visit also gave the BF team in Hohenheim a chance to connect with her in person, further strengthening our collaboration.

Dr. Sathyan's official website

[12.03.25] Kick-off Workshop

It was a productive day for the BF Team. During the workshop, we clearly defined our research goals and outlined the first steps toward achieving them- setting a strong foundation for the project’s success ahead.

[01.03.25] We’re getting started

The project is gaining momentum with two new team members: Dr. Bowy den Braber joining as postdoc and Dr. Huei Ying Gan as project coordinator. Welcome to Team Bright Futures!