By Bemi Brooks 
Picture this: you are a PhD student deep in your thesis on carbon pricing or biodiversity valuation, and you finally get the chance to share your work with people who actually understand the data quirks, the policy debates, and the real-world stakes. That is exactly what the AURÖ workshop delivers year after year for early-career scholars in environmental and resource economics. If you are based in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland and want honest feedback, fresh connections, and a genuine boost to your academic journey, this event deserves a spot on your calendar.
What is the AURÖ Workshop?
The AURÖ workshop, formally known as the Workshop for Young Researchers in Environmental and Resource Economics, is the flagship event organized by the Standing Field Committee on Environmental and Resource Economics (Ausschuss für Umwelt- und Ressourcenökonomie) of the German Economic Association, or Verein für Socialpolitik (VfS). It brings together PhD students, postdocs, and junior faculty who are passionate about topics ranging from climate policy to sustainable development and energy transitions.
Unlike larger, more formal conferences, the AURÖ workshop stays intentionally intimate. It typically runs over two or three days at rotating venues across the German-speaking academic landscape, such as ZEW Mannheim or Leipzig University. Recent editions have drawn around 30 to 40 participants who present ongoing research in a supportive setting designed for constructive critique rather than criticism. The official language is English, making it accessible while keeping the community feel strong.
Think of it as a bridge between the solitude of dissertation writing and the broader European environmental economics scene. Hosted often in partnership with institutions like the University of Mannheim and ZEW Mannheim, and sometimes highlighted on EAERE platforms, the workshop has become a cornerstone for junior researchers who want to test ideas before submitting to bigger venues.
Why Attend: Real Benefits for Junior Researchers in Environmental Economics
Participating in the AURÖ workshop offers far more than a line on your CV. It provides a rare combination of rigorous academic feedback and warm professional networking that many larger events simply cannot match.
Here are the standout advantages:
- Targeted, constructive feedback on your work. Present a thesis chapter or working paper and receive comments from a designated discussant plus the audience. The format encourages specific, actionable insights rather than vague praise. Many participants leave with clearer directions for revisions that strengthen their papers for journal submission.
- Peer community in resource economics. You connect with others facing the same challenges, whether it is securing data for empirical studies or navigating the job market. These conversations often spark future collaborations or co-authorships.
- Mentorship in a low-pressure environment. Senior researchers from the field attend and contribute to discussions. Their presence creates natural opportunities for informal advice on career paths, grant applications, or balancing research with teaching.
- Gateway to wider networks. The workshop links directly to the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE). Strong performance here can open doors to summer schools, annual conferences, or even policy-oriented projects.
- Skill-building for your doctoral thesis. Presenting early helps refine arguments before the defense. The friendly atmosphere reduces presentation anxiety and builds confidence for future talks.
In short, the AURÖ workshop feels like a professional home base. It supports the human side of academia: the moments when a quick coffee chat turns into a long-term research partnership or when a thoughtful question sparks a new angle on sustainable development.
Who Should Apply to the AURÖ Workshop?
The event targets young researchers in environmental and resource economics, especially those from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Ideal participants include:
- PhD students working on dissertations in climate economics, energy markets, biodiversity valuation, or related fields.
- Postdocs seeking to expand their networks before applying for faculty positions.
- Junior faculty members who want focused feedback on ongoing projects.
You do not need a finished paper. Many submit extended abstracts or early drafts, and the organizers welcome work in progress. The emphasis lies on quality ideas and relevance to environmental policy rather than polished perfection.
How to Prepare and Submit Your Research
Applying to the AURÖ workshop is straightforward, but preparation pays off. Organizers typically open a call for papers several months in advance, with deadlines falling in late autumn for the following spring or winter event (for example, submissions for the 2025 Mannheim edition closed in November 2024).
Submission steps usually include:
- Prepare either a full working paper or a clear extended abstract of one to two pages that outlines your research question, methods, and preliminary findings.
- Submit via the online portal listed in the call (details appear on ZEW or partner university websites).
- Include your contact information and affiliation.
- Wait for notifications, which generally arrive within four to six weeks.
Once accepted, focus on your presentation. Each slot lasts about 35 minutes: 20 minutes for your talk, five minutes from the discussant (who offers targeted comments without summarizing your work), and ten minutes of open discussion. Keep slides concise, practice your timing, and prepare to defend your methods or data choices.
Travel and accommodation costs are often modest since the event rotates within the region. Check with your department or university for funding support, as many institutions cover attendance at such specialized workshops.
What to Expect on Site: The Workshop Experience
Arrival day sets a relaxed tone. You register, grab coffee, and meet fellow participants who share your research interests. Parallel sessions cover themes like international environmental policy, behavioral economics, equity issues, urban sustainability, and energy transitions.
Dinners and coffee breaks provide the real magic. Conversations flow naturally, and you might find yourself discussing everything from econometric challenges to career strategies over regional cuisine. The atmosphere encourages questions without judgment, creating the kind of feedback loops that refine ideas quickly.
Keynotes from established scholars add inspiration. Recent speakers have explored topics such as air pollution damages or long-term environmental legacies, tying directly to current policy debates.
The schedule balances intensity with breathing room, leaving energy for networking rather than exhaustion.
Networking Strategies That Build Lasting Connections
Approach the AURÖ workshop as an investment in relationships. Introduce yourself during breaks by mentioning a shared research interest or a question from someone’s presentation. Follow up afterward with a short email thanking discussants or suggesting a future collaboration.
Many participants report that the event sparks ongoing exchanges, joint conference panels, or even joint publications. It also helps you learn the unwritten rules of the German-speaking environmental economics community, giving you an edge when applying to EAERE events or research positions.
How the AURÖ Workshop Fits into Your Broader Career Path
Attending positions you strongly within the European environmental economics community. It complements larger gatherings like the EAERE annual conference by offering deeper, more personal engagement. Skills honed here, from handling discussants to building rapport with peers, transfer directly to job talks, grant interviews, and policy briefings.
For those pursuing academic careers, the workshop signals active involvement in the field. For those eyeing think tanks or government roles, it demonstrates practical engagement with sustainable development questions that matter to policymakers.
Practical Tips to Make the Most of Your First AURÖ Workshop
- Submit early and clearly. A well-written abstract increases your chances and helps organizers match you with suitable discussants.
- Prepare for discussion, not just delivery. Anticipate questions on robustness checks or policy implications.
- Engage actively in others’ sessions. Thoughtful comments build goodwill and sharpen your own critical thinking.
- Bring business cards or a digital alternative. Simple follow-ups keep momentum going after the event.
- Reflect afterward. Jot down feedback and new contacts while impressions remain fresh.
- Seek funding proactively. Many universities support attendance at national workshops in environmental economics.
- Stay connected online. Join relevant VfS or EAERE groups to continue conversations year-round.
Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Research Career?
The AURÖ workshop offers young researchers in environmental and resource economics something truly special: a space where ideas evolve through genuine exchange, where feedback feels encouraging rather than intimidating, and where professional relationships form that last well beyond a single event. Whether you are polishing your doctoral thesis or exploring new directions in sustainable development, this workshop can accelerate your progress while reminding you that you are part of a vibrant, supportive community.
Mark your calendar for future editions, watch for calls on ZEW or partner university sites, and prepare to present with confidence. Your next big breakthrough might start with a conversation at AURÖ.
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FAQs
What does AURÖ stand for?
AURÖ stands for the Standing Field Committee on Environmental and Resource Economics (Ausschuss für Umwelt- und Ressourcenökonomie) within the German Economic Association.
Who is eligible to attend the AURÖ workshop?
Primarily PhD students, postdocs, and junior faculty in environmental and resource economics from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, though the event welcomes strong submissions from aligned researchers.
How do I submit a paper to the AURÖ workshop?
Check the latest call for papers on ZEW Mannheim or partner university websites. Submit a working paper or one- to two-page extended abstract by the announced deadline, usually in late autumn.
What is the typical format of presentations at the AURÖ workshop?
Each presenter speaks for about 20 minutes, followed by a five-minute discussant comment and ten minutes of general discussion. This structure promotes focused, constructive dialogue.
Does the AURÖ workshop provide funding or travel support?
The event itself is low-cost, but participants usually secure support from their home institutions. No central funding is typically offered, though some editions include meals.
How does the AURÖ workshop differ from the full EAERE conference?
It is smaller, more intimate, and focused on early-career feedback rather than broad dissemination. Many use it as preparation for larger EAERE events.
When and where is the next AURÖ workshop?
Dates and venues rotate annually. Recent events took place at ZEW Mannheim and Leipzig University. Monitor announcements from the VfS committee or ZEW for the latest details.