Prof. Dr. Alexander Siegmund
Director of the Institute for Geography and Geocommunication and the UNESCO Chair in Earth Observation and Geocommunication of World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves at the Heidelberg University of Education, Honorary Professor at Heidelberg University, HCE Member since 2011
My research focuses on the question of how sensitive ecosystems in extreme environments—currently, in particular, the fog ecosystems of the Atacama Desert in Chile—change under the conditions of climate change and how these changes can be modeled. In my team at the UNESCO Chair for Earth Observation and Geocommunication of World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves, we combine modern geotechnology for Earth observation with field research to better understand and visualize environmental processes. At the same time, we are investigating how these findings can be applied—particularly in the context of using digital geomedia and innovative didactic concepts—in education for sustainable development to promote systemic thinking and practical skills.
Why I joined the HCE
As a founding member and long-standing board member of the HCE, it is a key priority for me to strengthen the connections between environmental and sustainability research and to further develop it in an interdisciplinary manner. The integration of natural science research with social and educational issues aligns perfectly with my own scientific approach and fosters cross-institutional cooperation between Heidelberg University, the University of Education, and the Institute for Geography and Geocommunication there, which I direct. To this day, the HCE provides an ideal framework for this.
My highlights so far
Among my personal highlights are, above all, my long-standing involvement in shaping the HCE—including during my time on the board—as well as the development of sustainable interdisciplinary collaborations. I find the ongoing exchange with colleagues from various disciplines particularly enriching, as it consistently gives rise to new project ideas and perspectives. This dynamic has inspired much of my own work.
My key partners
My most important partners at the HCE are the colleagues with whom I collaborate at the intersection of environmental research, geotechnologies, and education for sustainable development. I find the collaboration with researchers who bring diverse methodological and disciplinary perspectives to be particularly valuable. It is precisely this diversity that enables us to address complex issues such as climate change and sustainable development in a holistic manner.