Educational concept
The educational concept of C4LaNd is designed to train the next generation of researchers with a “nexus perspective” – understanding the complex interplay between food, energy, and materials in land systems.
It equips doctoral students with advanced methodological skills to tackle scientific, societal, financial, and regulatory challenges arising from food-energy-materials demand and competition in the land-system, particularly in the context of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Students receive a dual doctoral degree: one from Australia (University of Melbourne) and one from Germany (KIT or University of Hohenheim). Each student is supervised by one mentor from Germany and one from Australia. Additionally, a thesis advisory group of 2–3 scientists provides expertise from various C4LaNd departments, broadening the research perspective whenever needed.
Research Journey
- Year 1: Research at the home institution.
- Year 2: One-year research stay abroad in Germany or Melbourne, Australia to collaborate with counterparts and gain additional expertise.
- Final Year: Completion of the PhD thesis at the home institution.
C4LaNd also offers a unique and specifically designed qualification program, `From Specialists to Nexialists´, tailored to develop both deep disciplinary knowledge and broad interdisciplinary competence. Three types of courses will be offered
- Trainings on key academic skills including good research practice, research data management, and AI assistants in research.
- Workshops on career development, supporting successful careers inside or outside academia.
- ‘Think Nexy’: a set of activities that spread over the entire doctoral training period including annual retreats and a C4LaNdClass that brings together doctoral researchers and supervisors on a monthly basis.
Last update: 2026-04