Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung -Germany
Author Profile
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🎓 Early academic pursuits
Dr. Fatima Lehnhardt began her academic journey in agricultural economics at the national school of agriculture in morocco, earning her diplôme d'ingénieur d'état in 2000. she then pursued advanced studies in spain, obtaining a master’s degree in agro-food marketing and a d.e.a/master of advanced studies in applied economics from the university of barcelona. her academic foundation was further solidified by her phd in applied and agricultural economics at the polytechnic university of catalonia (upc), where her dissertation on spanish agriculture reforms was awarded summa cum laude. in 2016, she attained her habilitation degree in economic sciences and management from usmba, morocco, cementing her status as a leading scholar. her early research approach, often intersecting themes of efficiency, investment behavior, and public policy, was rooted in quantitative modeling and systems-based analysis — drawing occasional inspiration from structured systems approaches used in power electronics frameworks.
💼 Professional endeavors
Dr. Lehnhardt's professional trajectory spans over two decades, encompassing roles in morocco, spain, germany, and the usa. she has held academic and research positions such as lecturer at the polytechnic university of catalonia, postdoctoral researcher at creda-upc-irta and university of göttingen, and professor of agricultural economics at the national school of agriculture in morocco. since 2020, she has served as a postdoctoral researcher at zalf within the “agricultural landscape systems” division and currently collaborates as a guest researcher at the university of göttingen. she has also agricultural economy engaged in consultancy and expert evaluation with the european commission, showcasing her expertise in agricultural sustainability, development policy, and behavioral economics.
🔬 Contributions and research focus
Dr. Lehnhardt’s scholarly contributions lie at the intersection of agricultural economics, resilience assessment, sustainability, and behavioral science. her work emphasizes participatory approaches to evaluating the resilience of farming systems, adoption of digital tools in african agriculture, and the transformation of agroecosystems under climate stress. her interdisciplinary lens integrates tools reminiscent of power electronics system optimization — employing dynamic modeling to study farmers’ responses, sustainability metrics, and productivity enhancement. notable projects include agricultural economy organizing sessions on sustainable crop protection, leading symposiums on food security in africa, and pioneering gender inclusion initiatives in agricultural research.
🌍 Impact and influence
Dr. Lehnhardt has made a significant mark on the international agricultural economics landscape. she is an associate editor of the agroforestry systems journal, a mentor in international mentoring programs for women in agricultural research, and a member of multiple professional bodies, including the international association of agricultural economists (iaae) and the european business @ biodiversity platform. she chaired high-level academic sessions and agricultural economy served on numerous organizing and scientific committees, including landscape2024, one of the leading conferences on agroecosystems. her multidisciplinary approach has been described as systems-driven, informed by frameworks akin to power electronics circuit analysis—highlighting her capacity to bridge agricultural and systems engineering thinking.
📚 Academic cites and editorial roles
Beyond her publications and conference contributions, dr. lehnhardt holds editorial responsibility as an associate editor and peer reviewer for leading journals. she is highly cited in research concerning technical efficiency, agricultural policy reform, and digital transformation in farming, particularly in african and mediterranean regions. her collaborations with global experts, including professors from the agricultural economy university of illinois and university of florida, have enriched her scholarly standing and visibility within applied economics. her editorial oversight and methodological rigor have reinforced scientific standards in agro-food systems modeling and analysis.
🌱 Legacy and future contributions
Dr. Lehnhardt’s legacy is defined by her commitment to sustainable transformation in agriculture, mentorship of early-career researchers, and promotion of inclusive research practices. through her work at zalf and international collaborations, she continues to drive research that not only informs policy but also empowers local farming communities. her future vision focuses on leading interdisciplinary working groups for participatory resilience assessments and advancing the integration of digital innovations into smallholder systems. with her strategic leadership, she aims to nurture global networks that merge economic theory with grassroots action—laying the foundation for a resilient, tech-enabled agricultural future.
Notable Publications
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Title: Resilience and technical efficiency trade-offs: implications to the sustainability of farming systems in Algeria and Spain
Author(s): Fatima Lambarraa-Lehnhardt, Martijn Walls, Mourad Latati, Amina Raggas, Rico Ihle
Journal: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
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Title: Farmers’ Perceptions of the Efficacy of Current Climate Risk Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies on Agriculture in The Gambia
Author(s): Sheriff Ceesay, Fatima Lambarraa-Lehnhardt, Mohamed Ben Omar Ndiaye, Diatou Thiaw, Mamma Sawaneh, Johannes Schuler
Journal: Land
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Title: Climate risk perception and adaptation strategies of smallholder farmers in The Gambia
Author(s): Fatima Lambarraa-Lehnhardt, Sheriff Ceesay, Mohamed Ben Omar Ndiaye, Diatou Thiaw, Mamma Sawaneh
Journal: Discover Sustainability