Work in the agricultural and food sector is an increasingly complex matter. Global crises, the impacts of climate change, structural change, an ageing workforce, evolving labour dynamics and digitalisation create challenges for current and future work in agriculture. Advancing the research agenda in this context is therefore crucial in order to responsibly meet policy and practice in relation to work in the agri-food sector. The 25th Ergonomics Colloquium (AKAL) and the 3rd International Symposium on Work in Agriculture (ISWA) bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to address urgent questions and promote sustainable, inclusive solutions.
The traditional theme of the AKAL: “Arbeit unter einem D-A-CH” (Working together in Germany, Austria and Switzerland) will persist during the anniversary event. The 3rd ISWA will focus on the theme of current and future challenges of work in agriculture from a research, policy and practice perspective.
📆 Date: 7 - 10 July 2026
📍 Place: Zollikofen, Switzerland
The joint symposium covers the following topics:
- Attractiveness of work in the agri-food sector
- Decent work in the agri-food sector
- Knowledge, skills, and education
- Dynamics of work
- Health and safety
- Agricultural workforce development systems
Starting on the 7th of July 2026 the joint four-day-long event will take place at the BFH-HAFL campus in Zollikofen, Switzerland. Surrounded by fields and forests, the location offers a stunning view of the Alps. It's the perfect setting to reflect on current and future challenges of work in agriculture.
The event is jointly organised by IAWA, BFH-HAFL and Agroscope. The affiliated working groups examine agricultural work in depth and from a variety of perspectives. During the symposium all working groups are open to participants from both ISWA and AKAL.
Besides scientific presentations and networking sessions the Ludwig-Wilhelm-Ries-Price for outstanding achievements in the field of ergonomics is going to be awarded. The Technical Committee for Agricultural Ergonomics of the VDI Division Max-Eyth Society for Agricultural Engineering (VDI-MEG) grants this award to honour and promote young researchers. In addition to the €750 cash prize, the awarded researcher can gain recognition beyond the German-speaking sphere due to the joint symposium.
The Ludwig-Wilhelm-Ries Prize was established in 1982 by the former Society for Agricultural Ergonomics and the Ries family in honour of the life’s work of Prof. Dr Ludwig-Wilhelm Ries. Since 1995, the prize has been awarded every two or three years by the VDI-MEG’s Technical Committee for Agricultural Ergonomics.