Valentin Fiala

Valentin Fiala is a researcher affiliated with the Institute of Landscape Planning and the Institute of Sustainable Economic Development at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). He focuses on sustainable food systems, science-society interaction, and organic farming, with a particular emphasis on mountainous regions and urban contexts.

Education:

• PhD in Social and Economic Sciences (2014–2020), BOKU
• Master's in Environment and Bioresources Management (2010–2013), BOKU

Research Interests: His work bridges environmental policy, transdisciplinary methods, and scenario development, exploring how biosphere reserves, community seed banks, and participatory approaches can drive sustainability transformations. He investigates the role of media representation in shaping agricultural and food systems, particularly in Austria and Europe.

Publications: His recent articles analyze science-society dynamics in biosphere reserves, food system transitions in Germany, and the impact of arts-based methods on consumer engagement. He also examines urban food strategies, organic farming myths, and social-ecological resilience in Guatemala.

Projects:

• Towards Sustainable Food Systems (2025–2028), Austria
• Alpine Mountain Hay Meadows Management (2023–2026), Austria
• BIOSS (2022–2026), Austria
• EdiCitNet (2018–2024), EU
• The Future of Urban Food (2018–2022), Austria

Advising and Community Service: He has supervised theses on topics like community seed banks and urban food games. He serves as a reviewer for journals such as Sustainability Science and Consumption and Society, and co-organized events like the Feldversuche Kunstsymposium (2021).