450402 SE Topic Seminar Geographical Perspectives on Global Change and Sustainability (2025S)

The primary aim of the Topic Seminar titled “Geographical Perspectives on Global Change and Sustainability” is to provide PhD students with an in-depth understanding of the different geographical sub-fields housed within the department. These include Digital Geography, Didactics of Geography and Economic Education, Economic Geography, Geoecology, Geomorphological Systems and Risk Research, Population Geography, Spatial Data Science and Geocommunication, and Urban Studies. The seminar aims to ensure that students grasp the distinct research interests, questions, challenges, as well as the conceptual and methodological approaches characteristic of each geographical sub-discipline, especially the specific research focus championed by the department's researchers on issues related to Global Change and Sustainability. Each session, led by senior researchers from the respective working groups, will offer students an overview of their specific research interests, employing a mix of brief presentations, readings, and discussions. This seminar aims to broaden students' understanding of geographical inquiry, deepen their appreciation for the discipline of geography, and equip them to position their research within the vast intra-interdisciplinary landscape of geography—a foundational step for interdisciplinary collaboration. Furthermore, the seminar acts as a nexus for students to engage with the department's senior researchers and cultivate connections with colleagues from diverse working groups.