Award winner:in Eva Burger
The submitted thesis is titled: “Carbon Footprint in Food. Content-Analytical Determination of Relevant Calculation Criteria”.
In his laudatory speech, the reviewer Prof. Dr.Enno Bahrs (University of Hohenheim), stated that the thesis goes far beyond the usual requirements for a thesis and that it addresses an important future topic for the agricultural sector. The thesis provides a comprehensive introduction to the topic of carbon footprint and systematically describes European initiatives for CO2-labeling on products (CO2-labeling). A literature review explains and compares existing and developing methodological standards for carbon footprint analyses. To identify criteria for the transparent calculation of the carbon footprint in food, Ms. Burger interviewed experts. The thesis provides a comprehensive set of criteria, which provides an important basis for further research.
Award winner: DIin Dr.inPamela Mühlmann
The submitted dissertation is titled: “Civil Society Engagement in the Landscape: The Model of Volunteer Work in Landscape Conservation„
This dissertation explores the topic of civil society engagement in the landscape, which was examined using the model of volunteer work in landscape conservation. The research field explored was transdisciplinary in nature, recognizing a need for further research in both academia and practice. The first part of the dissertation provides a good overview of the versatile application of the model through a typology of different organizational forms. The second part then examines the impact of such landscape conservation initiatives in the context of sustainable development at the local level.
The reviewer Dr.in Mathilde Schmitt (Austrian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Mountain Research: Humans and Environment, Innsbruck), particularly emphasized the quality of the work, which emerged through the ongoing exchange with stakeholders. The work is characterized by a clear structure and a rigorous approach, which is also reflected in the formulation of the resulting texts. This work presents a current topic with interesting results, and its transdisciplinary approach serves as a model.
