Tropentag is a fantastic opportunity for young researchers to not only present their findings, but also to try their hands at communicating the exciting science gathered here from around the world. This year we have student reporters from Nigeria, Italy, the Philippines, Germany, the United States, Thailand, Kenya, the Netherlands, and Rwanda. Get the latest updates here on the blog, and through our social media channels: Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.

Participants of Tropentag 2014, I hope you feel accomplished. With the wealth of excellent and groundbreaking work presented this year, it looks like we’re indeed one step forward in “bridging the gap between increasing knowledge and decreasing resources”. As we settle back in our home universities and institutes to catch up on work and resume our routines, it’s also perhaps a good time to reflect on what happens next. Conferences are great, but why end at the conference? I found Dr. Richard Hall’s plenary speech, “Orienting and Keeping Scientific Research for Development On Track”, a timely reminder of what it is we conduct research for. Even at conferences such as Tropentag, where researchers address urgent issues of climate change and food security, “applied research” doesn’t necessarily translate to real change on the ground. Scientists don’t have the power or resources to implement policies, or to organise extension programs for farmers – that’s someone else’s responsibility. Or so we argue. Read more

Aquaculture is the world’s fastest growing food production industry, with farms supplying around half of the global fish supply. But to satisfy our soaring appetite for aquatic food, we first have to be able to feed the fish and shellfish. This isn’t such an easy task, as conventional feeds are becoming less sustainable and available. It’s no wonder then that the “Animal feeding and nutrition” Thematic Session was unofficially re-named “the fish and aquaculture” session, as all three presenters shined a spotlight on innovative aquaculture feed sources that are nutritious, but that can also address the challenges and demands of intensified fish and prawn farming. So what’s on the plate? (Continue...)

Many of our student reporters this year are trying out scientific journalism for the first time at Tropentag. But Vitalii Korol, last year’s videographer from Ukraine, enjoyed his experience so much that he’s back for more. You may be wondering, though – why are students the reporters at a formal academic conference in the first place? (Continue...)

Juan Egas is no stranger to crossing communication boundaries. He first got a taste of the world of lobbying through his previous work at the Ministry of Agriculture in his native Ecuador, where he developed a passion for connecting stakeholders from different arenas. He currently co-runs a blog on sustainability, and plans on using his Student Reporter skills to make complex scientific ideas more digestible for his readers. Continue