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Opening day
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Submission deadline
Call for Contributions
Toward Integrative Social-Ecological Knowledge Systems: Conceptual and Computational Foundations for Ecological Synthesis
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
September 28 – October 1 2026
https://indico.rz.uni-jena.de/e/EcolSyn
Supported by DFG, the Ernst-Abbe-Stiftung and EcoWeave
About
Ecological research increasingly relies on integrating diverse knowledge sources, from field data and models to socio-economic information and cultural practices. However, such knowledge remains fragmented across disciplines, limiting effective synthesis.
Recent advances in AI (e.g., large language models, knowledge graphs, agent-based systems) offer new possibilities for knowledge integration. Yet key conceptual, methodological, and epistemological challenges remain unresolved.
This workshop brings together researchers from ecology, AI, philosophy of science, social sciences and social-ecological systems to advance the integration and mobilization of ecological knowledge.
Topics of Interest
We invite contributions addressing:
- AI-based approaches to ecological synthesis and their limitations
- Knowledge representation and semantic frameworks
- Interoperable data and knowledge model
- Epistemic standards (transparency, interpretability, reliability)
- Methods and approaches for synthesizing social and ecological knowledge
- Integration of diverse forms of knowledge
- Accounting for ecological and social context including causal inference
Contributions
We welcome:
- Talks
- Posters (with dedicated sessions throughout the workshop)
- Proposals for breakout groups
Please submit:
- Title
- Abstract (less than 2000 characters)
- Authors and affiliations
- Type (presentation, poster, breakout)
to https://indico.rz.uni-jena.de/e/EcolSyn
Format
The workshop includes keynote talks, thematic sessions, poster sessions, and collaborative group work designed to foster interdisciplinary exchange.
Publication
We plan to publish abstracts and workshop documentation in zenodo.
Who Should Apply?
Researchers from ecology, computer science/AI, philosophy of science, social sciences and social-ecological systems studies.
Early-career and interdisciplinary contributions are especially encouraged.
Key Dates
Submission deadline: 30.06.2026
Notification: 15.07.2026
Workshop: Sept 28 – Oct 1 2026
Registration
Registration will open Mid/End June. The registration fee will be € 125 and will be waived for student participants.
We will be able to offer limited travel support for active participants (speaker, presenter of a poster, organiser of a breakout session). Application will be possible on the registration page.
Organisers and Scientific Comitee
Tim Alamenciak (Carleton U, U Waterloo, Canada)
Carlos Arnillas (U Toronto, Canada)
Robert Frühstückl (U Linz, Austria)
Tina Heger (IGB and TU Munich, Germany)
Phyllis Illari (UCL, UK)
Birgitta König-Ries (U Jena, Germany)
Lars Vogt (LIB Hamburg, Germany)
Breakout Sessions
To be extended
EcoWeaver Workbench
We invite ecologists (broadly defined - including social scientists who focus on ecology, social-ecological systems, theoretical ecology, field ecology, restoration and conservation, etc.) to join a hands-on prototyping session to develop structured tools for encoding and synthesizing causal relationships in ecological literature. Bring a published paper of your own: we will use it as raw material to stress-test a causal knowledge schema, probing where the representation holds up and where it needs rethinking. Your domain expertise is what makes this exercise meaningful. The goal is to leave with a schema that better reflects how ecologists actually think about cause and effect. If you'd like to participate, please submit your paper (already published - open access preferred) and a brief note on your ecological focus area.