IFSA 2018: Farming systems: facing uncertainties and enhancing opportunities

Call for abstracts for the 13th European Farming Systems Symposium IFSA 2018, Chania, Greece
Symposium dates: July 1 – 5, 2018

IFSA 2018 flyer_rev

The 13th European Farming Systems Symposium (IFSA – European Group) will be held in the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, and hosted by the Lab. of Agricultural Extension, Rural Systems & Rural Sociology, Dept. of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development, Agricultural University of Athens. For this Symposium, we welcome a diversity of perspectives on farming systems and different narratives of pathways. We would particularly like to attract researchers and practitioners from both natural and social science backgrounds who are new to systems thinking and who may be able to contribute constructively to lively debates on how we can design and deliver more sustainable farming and livelihood systems for the future.

Call for abstracts (papers and dialogue/open sessions):
We would like to invite you to submit an abstract (see Abstract Template) for one of the Themes at the symposium. Your abstract will be subject to peer review and on acceptance, you will be asked to submit a full paper. The submission deadline for abstracts is 15 September 2017. We invite prospective participants to submit paper proposals (abstracts) following the attached Template. All proposals must clearly indicate the Theme under which they fall.1. Additionally, dialogue/open sessions proposals are welcome. Dialogue/open sessions are differentiated into: a) panel sessions and b) paper sessions. A panel session consists of panelists giving a short statement on a topic, followed by a discussion based on questions from the audience. The panel comprises at least 4 panelists and 1 coordinator/moderator. Panelists do not have to submit an abstract (and/or a paper). However the coordinator/moderator has to submit an abstract describing the topic of the proposed session, and listing the names and affiliations (incl. emails) of the panelists (see Abstract Template). Please also name the Theme into which you feel your panel fits best.

A paper session comprises 4 individual presentations, with time for discussion. A coordinator can submit one or several sessions by submitting a title for the session(s) as well as a compilation of the abstracts of the papers to be presented in each session (for each paper: title, authors, affiliation (incl. emails), abstract; see Abstract Template). Please also name the Theme into which you feel your session fits best. Kindly submit your proposal by email at: ifsa2018@aua.gr by September 15, 2017.

Themes: The IFSA Steering Committee suggests submissions on the following themes:
1. Learning and knowledge systems, education, extension and advisory services
2. Agroecology and new farming arrangements
3. Integrating science, technology, policy and practice
4. Smart technologies in farming and food systems
5. Sustainable agrifood systems, value chains and power structures

Important dates:
Proposal submission open: June 15, 2017
Deadline of proposal submissions: September 15, 2017
Decision of acceptation/rejection: 31 October, 2017
Deadline of full paper submissions: January 15, 2018
Decision of paper review: 31 March 2018Deadline of revised paper submission: 15 May, 2018
Early bird registration closes: April 15, 2018
Registration closes: June 1, 2018

Conference Venue:
Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (www.maich.gr); email: confer@maich.gr

Conference chair: Professor Alex Koutsouris
For more information visit the conference site: www.ifsa2018.gr