Bridging Disciplines for Global Development and Sustainability
CRENDES Interdisciplinary Student and Young Professionals Conference
The CRENDES Interdisciplinary Conference – Bridging Disciplines for Global Development and Sustainability will take place on 11–12 November 2026 at the Institute of International Relations Prague (Nerudova 3, Prague 1, Czech Republic).
The conference is intended primarily for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students, as well as postdoctoral researchers and other early-career researchers working in fields related to global development and sustainability. Its aim is to provide a space for presenting research, fostering interdisciplinary discussion, and strengthening collaboration and networking across institutions and disciplines.
The conference aims to bring together students and early-career researchers from different disciplines and institutions who are based in Czechia or have an academic or professional connection to the country, and whose work focuses on topics related to global development and sustainability. The conference will provide an opportunity to meet peers from other fields, share research and ideas, and build new interdisciplinary connections. International participants are also very welcome.
Participation in the conference is free of charge.
Conference programme
DAY 1
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
09:30–10:00 Registration and Welcome Coffee
10:00–11:00 | OPENING & KEYNOTE
Current Trends in Development Studies: Perspectives from Contemporary Academic Debates
Josef Novotný
11:00–12:00 | SESSION 1
Institutions, Democracy and Sustainable Peace
From Country Averages to Population Experiences: Reassessing Global Democratic Change
Hussain, S. S.; Syrovátka, M.; Harmáček, J.
From Political Cooperation to Sustainable Peace? CHP–HDP Cooperation and Relational Transformation in Türkiye
Öner, C.; Lepic, M.
Permitted and used: Sakha symbols as a tool of Russian state narratives
Lukina, S.
Ensuring Existential Security: Integrating Existential Risk into the Post-2030 Sustainable Development Agenda
Pourpakdelfekr, T.; Syrovátka, M.; Guillaume, B.
12:00–13:15 Lunch and Networking
13:15–14:15 | SESSION 2
Sustainable Food Systems and Climate Resilience
EU Dependency on Russian Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizers: Actor Coalitions and Discursive Frameworks
Pipek, O.
Farmers’ Awareness and Willingness to Adopt Rice Residue-to-Energy Valorisation in Nigeria: A Gender-Sensitive Perspective
Echefu, S. U.; Alexiou Ivanova, T.; Mazancova, J.; Madaki, M. Y.
Can Crop-Dairy Integration Cushion Smallholders Against Drought? Evidence from Uganda
Korir, L. K.; Bavorova, M.
Food systems transformation in the context of Central and Eastern Europe: Structural factors determining the development of food policies
Schultzová, P.; Harmáčková, Z.; Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen, S.
14:15–14:30 Coffee Break
14:30–15:30 | SESSION 3
Migration, Mobility and Urban Sustainability
Why Czechia? Migration Motivations and Trajectories of Italian Citizens in Central Europe
Medová, N.; Caruso, M.
The Impact of Media Access on (Non-)Migration Decision-Making in Climate Change-Affected Rural Areas: The Case of Kitui County, Kenya.
Přikryl, Š.; Hasman, J.
Mixed participatory mapping approach in urban mobility research
Ritterová, D.; Pánek, J.
15:30–15:45 Coffee Break
15:45–16:45 | SESSION 4
Social Inclusion, Empowerment and Public Trust
Does Cooperative Membership Empower Rural Women? Causal Evidence from Agricultural Cooperatives in Ogun State, Nigeria
Ogunneye, S.; Iyioku, G.; Amoran, I. A.; Mazancova, J.
Climate Misinformation and Trust in Science: Evidence and Directions for Future Research
Vaněček, V.; Bláhová, D.
Urbanisation, WASH and (im)mobility: a household survey in non-core urbanising areas of West Bengal, India.
Stoker, A.; Novotný, J.; Chakraborty, S.
Evening Informal Networking Gathering (self-paid)
DAY 2
Thursday, 12 November 2026
09:00–10:00 | SESSION 5
Participation and Governance for Sustainable Development
Coffee, Games and Sustainability: From Simulation Games in Education to the Methodological Design of Research on Global Coffee Commodity Chains
Bártová, M.
UPLB students‘ possible participation in ecotourism development around the Laguna de Bay lake in Los Baños
Dušek, M.
Social Exclusion as a Theme of Electoral Disinformation and the Role of Community-Based Municipal Approaches
Bláhová, D.; Vaněček, V.
Twenty years of Mining-Associated Land Change and Perceived Non-enforcement of Reclamation in Ghana
Akalibey, S.
10:00–12:45 | WORKSHOP
Do No Harm
Lenka Dušková
This workshop invites early-career development researchers, including MA and PhD students, to critically reflect on the ethical challenges of field research through the lens of the Do No Harm principle. Participants will explore practical dilemmas related to positionality, researcher responsibility, representation and inclusion of diverse voices, risks of stigmatization, and the ethical implications of both research processes and outcomes. Combining theoretical discussion with peer exchange and facilitated reflection, the workshop will provide a supportive space for examining how ethical decision-making shapes the quality and integrity of development research. Through collaborative work on mini case studies drawn from real-world fieldwork dilemmas, participants will develop practical strategies for navigating complex ethical situations. The workshop aims to strengthen participants’ capacity to conduct rigorous, reflexive, and socially responsible research in diverse development contexts.
12:45–13:00 Summary and Closing Remarks
The afternoon of Day 2 will be dedicated to a CRENDES networking meeting, which all conference participants are warmly invited to attend.
Important dates
- Abstract submission deadline: 9 October 2026
- Notification of acceptance: 23 October 2026
- Registration deadline (presenting and non-presenting participants): 2 November 2026
Registration
Abstract submission and conference registration are closed.
Who can participate?
The conference welcomes:
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students, who are invited to submit abstracts and present their research;
- Postdoctoral researchers and other early-career researchers, who are also invited to submit abstracts and present their research;
- Academics, researchers, practitioners, and other interested participants, who are warmly invited to attend the conference, participate in the discussions, workshops, and networking activities.
Abstract submission and oral presentations are open to Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and other early-career researchers. Non-presenting participation is open to others interested in the conference topics.
This conference is organised in partnership with CEZ Group.
