Early Career Researcher Workshop on Sustainable Production Systems in Europe
The Early Career Researcher (ECR) Workshop on Sustainable Production Systems in Europe took place on 24–25 July 2025 at CIHEAM Bari, as part of the Green ERA-Hub (GEH) project. This event brought together a diverse group of early-career scientists from across Europe to identify key challenges, shared visions, and priorities for future research and innovation in sustainable agri-food systems.
Day Two, Session 3: Plant Pathology and Emerging Pests & Diseases
Participants
The workshop gathered early-career researchers from a broad range of disciplines, including plant pathology, agronomy, soil and water management, genomics, animal health, data science, economics, and policy. According to the evaluation survey, participants represented countries such as Sweden, Italy, Ireland, and Türkiye, and covered expertise areas like plant biotechnology, soil ecology, plant pathology, virology, drought physiology, and sustainable agriculture. While the exact number of attendees is not specified in the summary, the feedback section mentions six survey responses, indicating a focused and interactive group.
Workshop Approach and Themes
The two-day programme combined plenary sessions, thematic group discussions, and hands-on field excursions. Key themes included:
Climate resilience in agriculture
Sustainable agroecosystems
Plant health and emerging pests & diseases
Foresight exercise: Visioning 2040
Key Outcomes
Farmer-centred innovation: Collaboration between farmers, researchers, and policymakers is crucial for developing practical solutions.
Regulatory readiness: Harmonisation of regulations, especially for biocontrols and diagnostics, is needed.
Trustworthy data and models: Transparent, validated models and open data are essential for effective decision-making.
Long-term climate adaptation: Investments in resilient genetics, soil and water stewardship, and risk-sharing mechanisms are necessary.
Education and networking: Strong mentoring, leadership training, and international collaboration are vital for empowering early-career researchers.
Participant Quotes
The workshop report features several insightful quotes from participants, illustrating the spirit and impact of the event:
“Adaptation vs mitigation and short-term vs long-term solutions; uncertainty of the future by climate change.”
“We need transparent models with validation on real farms—otherwise adoption will stall.”
“Licensing and regulation need better resourcing to reduce bottleneck delays for biocontrols.”
“Let’s centre living labs so farmers help design and disseminate solutions.”
“Stop prioritising publications; focus on farmer collaboration and policy input.”
“Integrated surveillance networks are essential to catch emerging threats early.”
Impact and Future Directions
The workshop successfully fostered interdisciplinary exchange, strengthened ECR networks, and generated concrete insights for future research priorities and systemic transformation in sustainable production systems. The outcomes will directly inform strategic roadmaps and future funding actions within Green ERA-Hub. Participants expressed strong interest in continued engagement through foresight groups, thematic workshops, and collaborative research.