This Einstein Lecture Dahlem speaks to the veracity of Albert Einstein's quote: "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious." Antje Boetius takes the audience on a journey into the mysterious world of Earth's oceans and polar regions, their strange landscapes and life forms. She explains the fundamental role these biomes play in sustaining life and discusses both threats and opportunities regarding the sustainable use of the oceans.
The lecture will address the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science, which was just recently launched and is dedicated to raising our appreciation of the oceans.

Antje Boetius is Director of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, and head of the Bridge Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology (AWI, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology Bremen and MARUM University Bremen). She researches the impacts of climate change on the oceans and polar regions, especially in the context of effects on marine life. As a deep-sea researcher, she also focuses on the discovery of unknown deep-sea habitats and the role of microorganisms.

In addition, public outreach and education are of particular concern to her. She has received numerous awards for her research and commitment, including the Communicator Prize of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Environmental Award.