“At the beginning, I had only a vague idea of what a Research Training Group actually was,” says Jannik Simon Reinbold, speaking in one of the meeting rooms on Hainstraße in Leipzig, where ECO-N has its base. “In essence, ECO-N is a structured doctoral programme. We are writing our dissertations while also attending courses and events at institutions that are partnered with Leipzig University,” the 31-year-old explains. These include the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS).
Understanding ecological systems
The overarching theme of ECO-N is the relationship between the economy, natural resources and human behaviour. ECO-N stands for Economics of Connected Natural Commons: Atmosphere and Biodiversity. “We work in groups on five different natural commons: regional climate, atmospheric aerosols, urban air quality, forest ecosystems and soil ecosystems,” says Reinbold. The researchers aim to understand how natural commons function. A central focus is inequality and injustice: “For instance, a small number of people can, out of self-interest, overuse and damage an ecological system such as a forest, the air or the soil – with the result that many others have to bear the consequences,” he explains. “In many cases, it is not possible – or only at very high cost – to restrict access to natural resources, such as in the case of overfished seas.” Sustainable usage concepts are therefore needed. But the first step is to understand the underlying dynamics in detail – this is ECO-N’s core mission. Only then can roadmaps for action be developed and options for policy-makers identified.
Small interdisciplinary teams
Reinbold himself is researching the economic impacts of climate change – together with a meteorologist. All teams are interdisciplinary and made up of researchers from economics and the natural sciences. Reinbold himself is an economist; he first studied industrial engineering in Kassel and, after several years of professional experience, came to Leipzig for his second master’s degree – in economics.
“An interdisciplinary approach is essential, because we want to understand systems in complex contexts,” he says. “In my doctorate, for example, I am looking at the health impacts of heat. How much does mortality increase? How is excess mortality distributed between poorer and richer populations? And how does this change over time and across countries? For instance, in colder regions such as Northern Europe, we can expect fewer deaths from cold as the climate warms – but more people dying from heat.” Other questions include: “How do we adapt? And what does adaptation cost?” To what extent is it even possible? Who can afford it, and where is it feasible?”
Regular academic exchange
A weekly lecture is held for all 14 current doctoral researchers and other interested participants. Every two weeks, the groups meet to discuss their projects in structured thematic sessions. “Over time, you really gain a very good understanding of what everyone else is working on, and I think that’s fantastic,” says the researcher. “After all, forest, soil and air systems also interact with one another,” the early career researcher explains.
In taught sessions, the doctoral researchers’ supervisors – experts from the Faculty of Economics and Management Science, the Faculty of Physics and Earth System Sciences, the Faculty of Life Sciences and the external partner institutions – give lectures on their own research and methods.
Because ECO-N is much more than the sum of its parts, two “synthesis postdocs” have been appointed to bring together the research findings from the individual groups.
Once a year, the Research Training Group holds a joint retreat. Reinbold says he had not expected this, but is delighted. He emphasises that starting the programme as a cohort has also created a strong sense of community, which has had a positive effect.
Insight into science-related careers
The Research Training Group also aims to broaden perspectives beyond the strictly academic: within the framework of workshops, experts from science communication, knowledge transfer and policy advice are invited to provide insight into their careers. “This helps you develop a sense of where you might be able to contribute most productively in future. The training here is genuinely comprehensive,” says the economist.
A further cohort of 14 doctoral researchers will join the RTG next year. Interested candidates can apply from December 2025. The Research Training Group is funded by the German Research Foundation. It is led by Professor Martin F. Quaas (iDiv).