Hotspots of Concern: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biodiversity and Health

Organizers: Gregg Mitman and Emmanuelle Roth
Venues: Institut français Munich, Kaulbachstraße 13, 80539 Munich; and LMU Center for Advanced Studies, Seestraße 13, 80802 Munich

Where do new viral diseases come from? Are biodiversity loss and the emergence of novel viruses related? In the fields of biodiversity conservation and pandemic prevention, the term hotspot refers to a place of endangerment or heightened risk. The conference brings together international experts to explore the intersections of biodiversity, emerging infectious diseases, and health.

The workshop opens on Wednesday, 22 October with the screening of the documentary film La Fabrique des Pandémies ([Making Pandemics: Preserving Biodiversity to Protect our Health]; French and English with English subtitles) hosted by the Institut français München, followed by a reception sponsored by the Munich Science Communication Lab. In this landmark documentary, actress Juliette Binoche seeks to understand the causes of an explosion of previously unknown emerging diseases—Dengue, Chikungunya, COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, Ebola — as she travels around the world to meet with scientists and learn about the links between human health and ecosystem health.

On Thursday, 23 October, a public workshop will be hosted at the Center for Advanced Studies, featuring keynote lectures and panel discussions with disease ecologists, conservation scientists, and social scientists.

Registration is required for participation. If you would like to attend any of these events, please email: info@cas.lmu.de.

This two-day workshop of the interdisciplinary research project “Planetary Health: The Planetary Health Puzzle – Piecing Together a Sustainable Future” is co-organized by the European Research Council (ERC), Institut français Munich, the Center for Andvanced Studies (CAS) LMU, the RCC, the Volkswagen Foundation, and the Munich Science Communication Lab (MSCL).

Please find more information about the workshop and registration on the website of CAS LMU.

Please find the workshop program attached below.