DWIH Tokyo Symposium: Human-Nature Relationships in the Anthropocene

Explore how humans and nature interact in the Anthropocene at the DWIH Tokyo Symposium this November from international perspectives. Today, >60% of the world’s population lives in cities. As cities densify and experiences of na-ture decline, especially among younger generations, understanding pathways to maintain health resilience is a pressing international challenge. This symposium explores human–nature relationships in the Anthropocene, with a focus on urban green spaces – including parks and gardens – and their relevance for global health and sustainability. Hosted by the Center for Spatial Information Science, the University of Tokyo, and the Technical University of Munich, the event will bring together Japanese and German researchers across environmental psychology, public health, ecology, sustainability science and education. The symposium will feature lectures, panel discussions, and early-career con-tributions, followed by a day of guided visits to Tokyo’s green spaces including community gardens. A fourth day will focus on grant and publication development. The event aims to strengthen German–Japanese research exchange, foster new collaborations in global health and environmental sustainability, and initiate joint follow-up activities including publications and proposals. This is a fantastic chance to meet researchers and practitioners passionate about the environment and science, all happening in person in Tokyo. This event is organized and hosted by Professor Naomi Shimpo from the Center for Spatial Information Science, the University of Tokyo, and Professor Monika Egerer from the Technical University of Munich. It is supported by the DWIH Tokyo. We are gathering interested participants for giving talks and posters. If you are intersted in presenting, please email Monika Egerer at [email protected]. Thank you!! We are looking forward to your contributions and perspectives. Tentative programme Monday, 23 November – Opening & Framing 15:00–15:20 – Welcome & framing 15:30–16:30 – Opening talks 16:30–16:45 – Coffee break 16:45–17:45 – Lightning introductions (2 minutes / 1 slide; voluntary) 17:45–18:00 – Housekeeping & preview of the following days 18:00–19:00 – Informal reception Tuesday, 24 November – Human–Nature Relationships in Japan & Europe 13:00–13:20 – Institutional welcome 13:30–14:40 – Keynote session 14:40–15:00 – Coffee break 15:00–16:15 – Selected short talks 16:15–16:30 – Coffee break 16:30–17:15 – Panel discussion: How do cultural contexts shape human–nature relationships in Japan and Europe? 17:15–18:30 – Poster session Wednesday, 25 November – Urban Nature, Biodiversity & Community Gardening 10:00–11:20 – Keynote presentations 11:20–11:50 – Selected short talks 11:50–12:00 – Transition / discussion 12:00–12:30 – Selected short talks 12:30–12:35 – Collaborative outlook 12:35–13:30 – Lunch 14:00 onward – Field visit to Tamonji Koryu Noen (visit at 15:00) Thursday, 26 November – Field Visit 09:00–16:00 – Field visit, including Seseragi Noen and potentially Nagaike Park Friday, 27 November – Collaborative Research Day 10:00–12:00 – Participant-led workshops on paper and research-project development 12:00–13:30 – Lunch / informal exchange 13:30–16:00 – Collaborative working time and conclusions Posters As we have limited time available for oral presentations, we would very much like to encourage participants to contribute a poster to the Tuesday afternoon poster session. The poster session is intended to be an informal opportunity to present ongoing research, preliminary results, projects, methods, or ideas and to receive feedback and identify potential collaborators. If you would like to present a poster, please let us know when by replying to this email and/or in the googleform. We will follow up with further information on poster format and logistics.https://forms.gle/jkvyYN9P7VqgmTmi7 Friday workshops We are also looking for participants who may be interested in organizing a small workshop on Friday. The idea is to use the day for more focused collaborative work—for example: • developing a paper or manuscript; • developing a new research project or grant proposal; • exploring a potential Japan–Europe collaboration; • discussing research methods or conceptual approaches; or • another format that could benefit from a small group working together. If you have an idea for a workshop that you would like to organize or facilitate, we would be very happy to hear from you. Please let us know what you have in mind and, if possible, the approximate number of participants you would like to involve. Venues Monday, 23 November Room 141, 1st floor, Engineering Building #14, University of Tokyo (Hongo Campus) Tuesday, 24 November Seihoku Gallery, Yayoi Auditorium Annex, University of Tokyo Wednesday, 25 November Seihoku Gallery, Yayoi Auditorium Annex, University of Tokyo Thursday, 26 November Field visit Friday, 27 November Meeting room, 8th floor, Engineering Building #14, University of Tokyo (Hongo Campus)