The Future Earth Pathways Autumn School brings together early career researchers working in sustainability science to reflect on current research practices and learn to better engage inter- and transdisciplinary collaborations to contribute to deep societal transformations.

The 5th edition of the Future Earth Pathways Autumn School will be held from November 16–20, 2026, in Aussois, in the French Alps. Bringing together 50 young and senior researchers, the school will explore the theme: ‘Towards Sustainable and Just Futures: Concepts, Challenges, and Practices.’

Applications open on April 7 and close on May 22 at midnight CEST.

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MRI Travel Bursaries Available

The MRI is pleased to offer a limited number of travel support bursaries to selected participants whose research work and contributions to the Autumn School directly relate to mountain regions and align with the MRI’s objectives and overarching theme of global change in mountain social-ecological systems. More information on the MRI’s travel support application will be communicated following the organisers’ selection process.

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Context of the Pathways Autumn School

Humanity is facing multiple interlinked environmental, social, and political crises, including anthropogenic climate change, biodiversity loss, continued structural injustices, geopolitical threats, armed conflicts, and the rise of populism, all of them with devastating effects for the planet and human wellbeing. These crises stem from unsustainable relationships with nature and dominant economic and political systems deeply rooted in power imbalances and inequalities. Attempting to resolve these complex sustainability challenges requires transformative changes that are ‘fundamental, system-wide shifts in views, structures and practices’ (IPBES, 2025). To inform and contribute to such fundamental societal transformations, sustainability science must embark on its own transformative journey in which scientists reflect and deliberate on the role of science for a better future. It requires us to re-examine and transform our own role and practices in the generation of actionable knowledge.

The Future Earth Pathways Autumn School creates a learning space for early-career researchers in sustainability science, as a space of connection among scientists from all disciplines who are working to understand sustainability challenges and actively contribute to societal transformations. The School allows participants to critically explore and learn both the what and the how of conducting transformative research. What are the main concepts and frameworks mobilized in sustainability science? What does it mean to design and develop research that advances the understanding of complex socio-ecological systems and actively contributes to their transformation? How can researchers adapt or respond to fast moving technological and geopolitical shifts, which challenge the role of experts in societies? Participants from across Europe engage with these questions, both personally and collectively through a shared living space and a 5-day programme consisting of interactive workshops, keynote sessions, outdoor activities and interdisciplinary exchange.

The 2026 Edition: Towards Sustainable and Just Futures: Concepts, Challenges, and Practices

The 2026 School’s programme its built around three modules that explore some of the main concepts, practices, and challenges of conducting a transformative turn within sustainability science: 

Module 1 – Towards a shared glossary: Interdisciplinary work in sustainability science

This module invites critical reflection and constant interrogation of terms, concepts and frameworks mobilized by researchers from various research fields, as a way to bridge disciplines and facilitate interdisciplinary work. The purpose of this module is not to offer definitive meanings as definitions should enhance precision and clarity, not lead to exclusion. Through keynote sessions and a workshop, key concepts and frameworks in sustainability science and from the participant’s own research will be introduced and discussed. 

Module 2 – Engaged research: the why and how

This module examines how researchers from various disciplines can reclaim meaningful forms of engagement in processes of societal transformation while critically reflecting on the conditions that shape knowledge production.  In recent years, environmental issues have been increasingly marginalized within the political agenda, sometimes accompanied by hostility toward those raising alarms about such concerns. In addition, academic structures, shaped by funder priorities and performance-metric logics, often fail to support sustained engagement of researchers with societal needs. Through keynotes and workshops, participants will engage in exercises to analyse practicing reflexivity and care in our research practices; integrating the study of socio-political dynamics and strengthening alliances among researchers and civil society.

Module 3  – Crises, resilience, and transformation

This module examines how communities and ecosystems respond to social, environmental, and cultural change under conditions of climate variability and geopolitical stress. Concepts such as resilience, adaptation, and transformation are central to sustainability research, yet their definitions remain contested across the natural and social sciences. Through keynotes and workshops, participants will explore diverse theoretical and empirical approaches to understanding how social-ecological systems respond to change, and how political, economic, and ecological constraints shape the scope of adaptive and transformative strategies. The module emphasizes critical reflection on the conditions that enable systemic transformation toward just and sustainable outcomes.

Who Can Apply?

Doctoral researchers and researchers who finished their PhD in the last 10 years (excluding periods of parental leave) who are living and working in Europe are invited to apply. Due to our desire to limit the carbon footprint of our work, we cannot accept applications from those outside of Europe.

We aim at assembling a group of early career researchers from across Europe with a variety of backgrounds in terms of disciplines, approaches, visions, themes, and research practices, who share the wish to reflect and act on how research can better contribute to societal transformations. 

As a prerequisite for participation, applicants need to be pursuing research related to the Autumn School’s core themes and questions. Additionally, applicants are expected to have sufficient proficiency in English to be able to actively participate in the School.

Organizing Committee

• Bruno Locatelli, CIRAD, University of Montpellier
• Guntra Aistara, Central European University
• Helmut Haberl, Institute of Social Ecology, BOKU Vienna, Global Land Programme
• Nathalie Blanc, CNRS, Centre des Politiques de la Terre, Université Paris Cité
• Nigel Yoccoz, University of Tromsø, Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment Programme
• Sandrine Paillard, CNRS, Future Earth
• Shonali Pachauri, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis
• Stephanie O’Toole, CNRS, Future Earth
• Victoria Reyes-García, ICREA and Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Autonomous University of Barcelona
• Wolfgang Cramer, CNRS, French National Committee for Future Earth

Important Information

• Where? Centre Paul-Langevin, 24 rue du Coin, 73500 Aussois, France
• When? 16-20 November 2026, with the possibility to arrive on Sunday 15
• Call for applications: opens on Tuesday April 7 and closes on Friday May 22 at midnight CEST
• Costs: Accommodation, meals and teaching costs are fully covered by the organizers. Travel costs to the School can be covered on a case-by-case basis, primarily for participants living/working in middle income European countries. For full details, please check the application form.
• Contact email: stephanie.otoole@futureearth.org

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_{Cover photo by Janosch Diggelmann.}