First Workshop of REGULUS Future Scientists in Freising

During the workshop, an innovation process was experienced both theoretically and practically, and demonstrated through the creation of so-called "prototypes." The workshop was prepared by the accompanying interdisciplinary project "WaHo_boost," which consists of personnel from Thünen Institutes, the Technical University of Munich, and the University of Freiburg. One explicit component of the project is the promotion of early-career researchers within the innovation groups.

For the scientists who have just started their research projects or entered the scientific working life, this was an excellent opportunity to not only learn agile methodologies but also to promote cross-networking among the supported innovation groups intensively. After two busy days, all participants agreed: This was just the beginning!

With the research call "REGULUS - Regional Innovation Groups for Climate-Protecting Forest and Wood Industry" (www.regulus-waldholz.de), the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) addresses challenges in German forests exacerbated by increasing storms, extreme droughts, high temperatures, and pest infestation, as part of the Strategy for Research on Sustainability (FONA). Currently, five cross-regional innovation clusters are being funded, accompanied by an interdisciplinary project under the coordination of the Thünen Institute of Wood Research.