MACSUR Science Conference 2017 (2017-05-22 - 2017-05-24)

Update: Delegate Package for Download

Goals

Climate change, the increasing world population and the growing concerns about natural resource exploitation and environmental protection are causing agricultural systems unprecedented challenges. Agricultural practices will shape, perhaps irreversibly, the surface of the Earth, including its flora and fauna, its biogeochemistry and ecosystem services. Though the most obvious answer to these challenges is to increase the efficiency of agricultural production, there is little consensus on how this can be achieved by sustainable means. The MACSUR community is dedicated to meet these challenges by developing, using and promoting the use of sophisticated modelling tools and methodologies for assisting the understanding of resource use in the food production sector in Europe under conditions of changes in climate and markets in the future.

The second phase of FACCE MACSUR (June 2015 – May 2017) emphasized cross-disciplinary alining and integration. The conference will be a summit of the international community of agricultural (crop, livestock and trade) modellers as well as of stakeholders from any segments of agriculture. The conference has three main objectives:

1. Provide an overview on recent activities and achievements in crop, livestock, trade and integrated modelling and cross-cutting activities.
2. Provide a forum for exchanging experience, sharing solutions and developing new collaborations with and among MACSUR partners.
3. Shape the future of the MACSUR community, setting out the directions.

Conference schedule (overview)

There will be 64 oral presentations and 24 posters addressing issues related to modelling of agriculture and food security under climate change:

 Schedule of presentations — Delegate package (maps, abstracts, rooms)

Keynote speakers

Prof. Dr. Frank Ewert, Scientific Director of Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research and Chair of Crop Science at University of Bonn

Dr. Tania Runge, former chair of the FACCE JPI Stakeholder Advisory Board

Martijn Buijsse, Development Director of the European Initiative for Sustainable Development in Agriculture

Venue

The closest airport is Berlin Schönefeld (SFX). You need a short-trip (Kurzstrecke, 1.70 €) ticket to Adlershof (S) or a ticket for zones BC (3.00 €) to travel from SFX to Adlershof (Walther-Nernst-Str). Please consult the fare guide. Tickets are sold from automats in the train station.

Accommodation

There are several hotels nearby. Please book the accommodation yourself and in time. We have negotiated reduced rates for conference participants. Please note that hotels in Berlin must charge a city-tax to tourists. The business purpose of a trip can be confirmed by a bill that is paid by or issued to the employer, or a letter from the employer. If the accommodation is booked by the employer in the first place, no further proof is necessary. 

• Adapt Apartments (well suited for sharing accommodation, 72.50 €, excl. breakfast). Apartments are equipped with mini-kitchen (stove, microwave, fridge, sink).
• Airport Hotel Berlin Adlershof (77 € single/92 € double + 13 € breakfast), make a reservartion before 19 April.
• Dorint Adlershof (90 € single/118 double), make a reservation before 27 March.

Important dates

Abstract submission ended 2017-02-05

Information of acceptance: 2017-03-01

Early registration ended 2017-03-15

Good to know

Thursday, 25 May 2017 is a public holiday in Germany (Christ's Ascension), most shops will be closed but sights and attractions will be open. A good opportunity for extending your stay and visiting Berlin. The day is also used to celebrate Father's day in Germany. (Frequently it is also taken as an occasion by young men for celebrating outdoors.)

Registration

The  registration fee is 320 Euro and and includes a light lunch Monday to Wednesday. (Cancellations or payments received after April 30 will not be refunded in case you cannot attend.). If you haven't registered yet, please pay cash at the registration desk in Berlin. The online registration is closed.

Significant funding is provided by the Research Council of Norway.

Posters

Poster boards will be 150 cm x 120 cm and can accommodate A0-size posters in both directions (landscape and portrait – landscape is recommended for better viewing). Posters are on display throughout the conference. Therefore, they should be set up Monday during registration and should be removed Wednesday during lunch break. (Any posters remaining after the conference will be discarded.)

Organising committee:

Martin Banse, Floor Brouwer, Katharina Brüser, Nándor Fodor, Christine Foyer, Richard Kipling, Martin Köchy, Kathryn Nicklin, Daniel Sandars, Nigel Scollan, Franz Sinabell, Kairsty Topp.

Contact: Nándor Fodor, Martin Köchy

» Flyer for download