Course Description

Hydropower plant (Uzbekistan), by Mukaddas Tashkhanova

The course will train early-career scientists (PhD students and Post-docs) on advanced research methods for studying agricultural land use systems under irrigation. It will provide its participants with a comprehensive look into theories and research methods (e.g. Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), systematic reviews (Web of Science and Scopus analysis, as well as Endnote), participatory impact assessment (PIA), driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR), text analysis using Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis tool, and integrated crop system models) for addressing empirical problems.

The students will be engaged in discussions and group work on the key issues. The study field visit will be organized to the areas that are affected by the dilemma between water for energy use and water for agriculture. In addition, soil degradation and crop production under environmentally-stressed areas will be monitored. A field trip will provide participants the opportunity to interact with local stakeholders to discuss their experience with WEF challenges.

The Summer School starts with three days of classes that include introductory lectures on advanced empirical methods for analyzing sustainability dimensions of WEF as well as extensive practical exercises. During the exercises, the students form a group (5-6 students per group) and get individual advice from their teachers. On the fourth day, a field trip to the case study region (preferably, Tashkent province) is planned, where local stakeholders present their practical problems and students learn from practice examples. On the last two days, the students prepare and present the results of their group work by applying different methods that they have learned during the week. Throughout the week, the students have the chance to get personally involved with the lecturers.

Expected Results

After completing the course, participants will be able to:

• understand and analyze empirical problems of the WEF nexus in irrigated agriculture from scientific and practical perspectives;
• apply theoretical and methodological tools to address research problems in relation to sustainable development;
• work more effectively in collaboration with other disciplines for investigating trade-offs and interconnectedness of the three sectors water, energy, and food;
• prepare a joint draft paper about the sustainability impact assessment of water–energy–food nexus for irrigated agriculture in Central Asia.