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Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour
University of Erfurt
The Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour studies how people act in ways that protect health and the climate, and how behaviour can be changed through communication, policy, and interventions. Its excellence lies in combining a clear mission with interdisciplinary research (8 professorships, 41 members) and strong knowledge transfer. Interdisciplinary teams, dialogue formats, and international networks foster collaboration, practical relevance, and early involvement of early-career researchers. An Advisory Board particularly values the link between research and real-world impact.
Strengths of the research environment
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Interdisciplinary and cross-career networking
The IPB creates opportunities for exchange, collaboration and visibility across departments, faculties and career stages. -
Early feedback, strong learning culture
Cross-departmental project meetings with "early sharing" promote methodological quality, publication strategies and a constructive approach to dealing with mistakes. -
Promoting new ideas and collaborations
Grants and seed funding for mixed teams enable pilot projects and interdisciplinary collaboration right from the start. -
Mentoring and international inspiration
Fellowship programmes, workshops and retreats strengthen academic identity, networking and personal development. -
Science communication with societal impact
Formats such as "Climate Connect" and "Journalists in Residence" promote transfer skills and open up development opportunities beyond academia.
Examples
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Journalists-in-Residence Fellowships
Science journalists work closely with the IPB for several weeks or months, gaining direct insight into ongoing research on planetary health topics whilst contributing their expertise – for example, in clear writing, pitching, and taking a critical look at media logic. In this way, science communication is not produced "after the fact", but in collaboration with the research. -
Pasteur’s Cube as a Science-to-Society infrastructure
Building on Pasteur’s Quadrant (linking basic research, "understand", and practical applicability, "use", the IPB adds the "engage" dimension – that is, systematic stakeholder involvement through participatory formats such as crowdsourcing and co-creation. This is complemented by, among other things, an Embedded Scientist initiative (practical experience in ministries/policy institutions) and international fellowships to bring together research, policy, administration and the public at an early stage in the process.
Contact persons
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Dr. rer. nat. Kevin Tiede, Scientific Managing Director, Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour, University of Erfurt, kevin.tiede@uni-erfurt.de
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Jun.-Prof. Dr. Fabian Prochazka, Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour, Universität Erfurt, fabian.prochazka@uni-erfurt.de
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Sabine Altwein, Institute Coordinator, Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour, University of Erfurt, sabine.altwein@uni-erfurt.de
Address
University of Erfurt
Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour
Nordhäuser Str. 63
99089 Erfurt