Organizer: Division of International Affairs / Center for International Cooperation

Venue: Lecture Hall A, Henry Ford Building of Freie Universität Berlin, Garystr. 35, 14195 Berlin

Registration required.

Keynote by Dr. Stefanie Kaboth-Bahr followed by Q&A with the audience.

In the face of escalating climate crises, universities stand as pivotal actors with a unique global responsibility. This talk delves into the imperative for universities to spearhead climate action, not merely as educational institutions, but as drivers of innovation, policy advocacy, and community engagement. By leveraging their academic prowess, research capabilities, and institutional influence, universities can catalyze systemic change and inspire a generation of leaders committed to sustainable practices. From carbon neutrality initiatives to interdisciplinary research collaborations, this discussion explores the multifaceted role of universities in mitigating climate change and fostering a resilient, equitable future for all.

Dr. Stefanie Kaboth-Bahr is a paleoclimatologist and paleoceanographer with the overall goal of contributing to a better understanding of the temporal evolution of Earth's climate system. She is particularly interested in the interplay between low- and high-latitude climate processes and marine and terrestrial teleconnections throughout the past 65 million years. Dr. Kaboth-Bahr employs an interdisciplinary approach that combines paleontology, geochemistry, and statistics to advance our understanding of Earth's climatic past.

Stefanie's academic journey began with her Diploma in Geoecology in 2012 from Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (Germany) and continued with her 2016 PhD in paleoclimatology from Utrecht University (Netherlands). Throughout her international PhD and past postdoctoral research projects (in Canada, Taiwan, and Germany), she has focused on fostering inclusivity and collaboration across the globe. In recent years, she has concentrated on supporting the African scientific community by creating an International African-focused network to address geobiology topics and provide African researchers with opportunities to have their voices heard in the climate debate.

In 2022, she earned her Habilitation at the University of Potsdam. Subsequently, in April 2023, she was appointed as a Junior Professor of Paleoclimatology in Berlin. Her groundbreaking contributions to her study field were acknowledged in the same year when she received the prestigious Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award from the European Geosciences Union (EGU), where she is also currently serving as the Union Representative of Early Career Scientists.