Neelakshi Joshi and Alavy Kifait Reza win
On 14 November 2025, DLGS alumna and current IOER postdoctoral researcher Neelakshi Joshi won first place at the Science4Peace Slam with her talk “Es wird heiß: Klimaforschung in Zeiten des Rechtspopulismus.” Alavy Kifait Reza, a current NEXtra fellow, placed second with her presentation “To Consume or Be Consumed?”
The Science4Peace Slam was organized by UNU-FLORES (UNU Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources) as part of the International Week of Science and Peace (9–15 November). The event was held in partnership with the Frauenkirche Dresden and the Technische Sammlungen Dresden and marked World Science Day for Peace and Development under the 2025 theme “Trust, Transformation, and Tomorrow: The Science We Need for 2050.”
While the top two spots were claimed by the only female participants in the slam, which took place in the Frauenkirche in Dresden, the outcome was not about symbolism, but a clear reflection of outstanding scientific communication. Both presentations captivated the audience and earned well-deserved, winning applause, despite strong competition from the other participants, whose presentations were also excellent.
What set Neelakshi apart was the clarity and persuasiveness of her message. She addressed the challenges of advancing urban climate justice amid rising populism and intensifying culture wars, using Dresden’s Carola Bridge as a case to frame the issue as both an urban-planning challenge and a broader social dilemma. With wit and humour, she highlighted the deceptively simple nature of data and competing narratives, showing how they often fail to translate into fair or straightforward political decisions. Against this backdrop, she argued that science must act as a peacemaker, building bridges between diverse facts and worldviews to advance urban climate justice. She encouraged audience members to engage in the fight for climate justice in any form, including through spontaneous civic initiatives, concluding with a powerful message of sustained commitment and hope.
Alavy’s message was equally socially engaged. In her presentation, she explored the connection between her research and peace by focusing on the power of individual and collective choices. She argued that such choices shape companies, industries, and even social realities—often in ways that remain invisible without careful analysis. Drawing on the example of textiles, Alavy illustrated how data can help uncover these hidden connections: from production processes and environmental impacts to global supply chains. By making these journeys visible, she argued, research can foster greater awareness and compassion, and ultimately support more informed decisions.
For DLGS, Neelakshi’s and Alavy’s success holds special significance. As sustainability science faces increasing challenges worldwide, the DLGS community takes pride in staying committed, learning across generations of fellows, and sharing knowledge with solidarity, integrity, and a passion for a more just future.
