Markus Leibenath, Dr.-Ing., Priv.-Doz.
Dipl.-Ing. Univ. Landespflege (i.e. Landscape Ecology and Spatial Planning)
Postdoctoral qualification ("Habilitation") in Landscape Development
Research Associate
Tel. +49 351 4679 285
M.Leibenath[im]ioer.de
Research Interests
I am a landscape ecologist and spatial planner who works with research designs rooted in political science and cultural geography. The focus of my research and teaching is planning and decision-making processes as well as wider societal discussions on landscapes, biodiversity and spatial development. The aim is to support social and political transitions to higher degrees of ecological sustainability and social justice.
Specifically, I deal with the following issues:
- the relationship between landscapes and renewable energies,
- ways to integrate the protection of biodiversity into socioeconomic development,
- transboundary and European cooperation as well as
- the role of language in conservation and spatial development politics, for instance with regard to terms such as "ecological networks", "resilience" and "ecosystem services".
I am interested in transferring scientific results into politics and practice. Therefore I participate, e.g., in strategy development and conflict resolution processes in various contexts. Furthermore, I am engaged in dialogues with individuals from non-governmental organisations, from politics, public administration and science to encourage reflection on socio-ecological challenges.
On the one hand I rely on neo-institutionalist governance concepts which allow the interplay of actors, institutions, ideas and values at different levels to be analysed and interpreted. On the other hand I work from a social constructionist and poststructuralist perspective, highlighting the constitution and contingency of actors, institutions, landscapes and practices, while opening space for critique. This is mainly achieved through discourse analysis.
Regarding methodology I apply mainly qualitative empirical techniques such as individual and group interviews, participant observation, action research, document and media analysis.
Professional experience
- 1994-1996
Landscape planner in several private planning firms
- 1997-1999
Doctoral student at Technische Universität Berlin
- since 2000
Research associate, IOER
- 2000-2014
Lecturer at Technische Universität Dresden
- 2003-2006
Coordinator of the Network of Spatial Research and Planning in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe (www.spa-ce.net)
- since 2016
Lecturer ("Privatdozent") at Technische Universität Berlin, chair group Landscape Planning and Landscape Development
- 2017
Guest researcher in the Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group at Wageningen University & Research
Education
Apprenticeship in landscape gardening
Landscape Architecture and Ecology at Technische Universität München, including 2 terms as special student at Harvard University 's Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Graduation as PhD at the Institute for Landscape Development of Technische Universität Berlin
Postdoctoral qualification ("Habilitation") in landscape development at the faculty (or department) VI "Planen Bauen Umwelt" ("Planning Constructing Environment") of Technische Universität Berlin
- 2018-2021
The making of planners: Subjectivities of planners related to spatial planning at regional level in the context of wind energy in Germany, research grant (GZ LE 2255/6-1)
- 2016-2020
Governing (with) ecosystem services: Changing Problematisations and Rationalities of Governing in German Nature and Landscape Policies, research grant (GZ LE 2255/4-1)
- 2015
European Conference of the Landscape Research Group "Energy Landscapes: Perception, Planning, Participation and Power" (Dresden, 16.-18. September 2015) , international scientific event (GZ LE 2255/3-1)
- 2008-2012
Constitution of Cultural Landscapes through Discourses and Discourse Coalitions, research grant (GZ LE 2255/2-1)
- 2006
Presentation at the World Planning Schools Congress in Mexico City, travel grant (GZ LE 2255/1-1)
Membership
Company Secretary and member of the Board of Directors of the Landscape Research Group (LRG)
Co-founder and one of two spokespersons of the German-speaking Working Group Landscape Research (Arbeitskreis Landschaftsforschung)
Fellowships
Student grant fellowship of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung)
Doctoral fellowship of Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt