Regulate presents results and transfer successes from five years of groundwater research at the 2025 Junior Research Groups Conference in Kassel

On 23 May 2025, the Regulate junior research group presented the key insights and societal impact that have emerged from five years of transdisciplinary research on groundwater governance at the Junior Research Groups Conference 2025 – “Approaches to a Social‑Ecological Transformation” in Kassel. The conference was hosted by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) as part of the FONA – Research for Sustainable Development programme.

During the session highlighting results and transfer potentials from the 2020 cohort, Regulate focused on societally relevant outcomes for practice and policymaking, sharing its contributions to understanding groundwater in telecoupled social‑ecological systems.

In addition to presenting project outcomes, the team also reflected on lessons learned and shared these as guidance for the newer cohorts:

• An intensive transdisciplinary process can strengthen group cohesion, support knowledge co‑production, and foster long‑term impact.
• Use the valuable early phase—especially the first year—for cognitive integration and team building.
• A balance of disciplines and a shared commitment to inter‑ and transdisciplinarity are essential for collaboration on equal footing.
• Consciously plan collaboration phases with varying intensity to support both productivity and flexibility.
• Shared leadership and responsibility structures help cover for individual absences and ensure continuity.

Engaging with other junior research groups at the conference once again highlighted the value of cross-group exchange – not only for mutual learning and reflection, but also for building a strong research community committed to sustainable transformation.