The Future Conference has now become a fixture in BOKU’s calendar of events. Focusing on global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and sustainable production processes, the conference informs a wide audience every year and provides a platform for exchange. The focus was on fostering collaboration and promoting innovation to close material cycles across scientific disciplines and research institutions, as well as with industry partners. The aim of the cluster is to establish a resilient and sustainable bioeconomy.
Hermine Mitter took part in the discussion “Opportunities and Risks of Renewable Raw Materials”. Ron Milo (systems biologist) introduced the topic with a keynote speech on the growing “anthropogenic biomass” and potential future technologies. The discussion was moderated by Barbara Stöckl. Other participants in the panel discussion included: Karlheinz Erb (Institute of Social Ecology, BOKU), Thomas Rosenau (Institute of Chemistry of Renewable Raw Materials, BOKU) and Marion Huber-Humer (Institute of Waste and Circular Economy, BOKU).
As the thematic organiser of the conference, the “Cluster of Excellence – Circular Bioengineering” was strongly represented by many researchers. In addition, the gathering in Vienna was used to facilitate exchange between scientific disciplines and to stimulate new collaborations. Hermine Mitter and Antonia Knapp took part in the annual cluster meeting over the following two days. The conference was rounded off by the artistic work “A Metabolic Guide to Space Survival” by Kristina Pulejkova.
An overview of the programme, recordings of the presentations from the Future Conference and further information can be found on the BOKU website.