Bayreuth Archives - Global Change Ecology

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS for the M.Sc. Global Change Ecology

Global Change Ecology — Fri, 27 May 2022 14:16:46 +0000

Apply now for the master’s programme Global Change Ecology at the University of Bayreuth, an interdisciplinary graduate programme that deals with global change and its environmental, ecological and societal aspects. It aims to train highly qualified leaders for tasks and problem solving in science, environmental protection and political or economic decision making. Part of the Elite Network of Bavaria and with the cooperation of the University of Augsburg, this programme offers a lot of opportunities for your training, such as participating in international conferences, science schools and seminars.

We look forward to receiving your applications!

Application deadline: 15 June, 2022!
Learn more clicking here.

Starting date: October 2022
Location: Bayreuth, Germany

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GCE Alumni (5): PhD at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Valentin Lang — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 11:06:41 +0000

The master´s programme “Global Change Ecology” (GCE) started in 2006. Since that time, some GCE students have already completed their Master´s degree.
We are interested to know what has been happening in the lives of our former GCE students. A few GCE alumni told us about GCE and how their careers have continued after they had finished the master´s programme.
The fifth one in our series is Patrick von Jeetze, who was born in Germany and started to study GCE in 2016:

Why did you decide to study GCE?
Because of its interdisciplinary setting and the option to study the social and natural sciences dimensions of socio-ecological systems.

What did you like most about GCE?
The liberty of choosing most of the curriculum, including Science Schools, freely and according to my interests. GCE also provided an array of opportunities to partake in high-level meetings such as IPBES and the UNFCCC COP. Since GCE is embedded in the Elite Network of Bavaria, this provides further chances for networking and exchange with peers from various backgrounds.

How has your career continued after GCE?
I am pursuing a PhD at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)

What is your current position? What are your tasks?
Currently, I am employed as a research assistant and PhD student in the Land Use Modelling Group at PIK. I use a global land system model to study human-nature relations in agricultural landscapes at the global scale. My focus is on programming and data analysis.

How has GCE supported your career?
It supported me, because during my study I was often able to freely choose the subjects I was most interested in.

What do you recommend to the current GCE students?
Try not to feel overwhelmed by the many choices and options that GCE provides. Try not to rush things and let the game come to you. Give yourself time to find something that you really want to change or know more about! Also, don’t get caught up with talking too much trash about the shitty weather in Bayreuth. Remember, it’s only the current state of the atmosphere and will only last for days or weeks. The climate, however, is shaped by you! Enjoy the time with your peers and make Bayreuth a beautiful memory!

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GCE Hike 2020

Everton Souza da Silva — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:02:15 +0000

Following a special – and why not to say “atypical” – semester, this past Saturday (25.07.20) the GCE Get Together finally happened

The current Summer Semester 2020 has been a peculiar semester for everyone in the academic community. An important time for learning, being comprehensive and active, at the same as being responsible about the global pandemic. Adaptation was required as our lives switched from having the fulltime campus way of life to teaching and learning from our households. Like the education process, the way of interaction between our colleagues had to change – and so did our plans, as the annual GCE Summerfête was cancelled for the first time.

As the scenario regarding the containment of covid-19 spread improves in Germany, social gatherings became possible and the first GCE Get Together event of the year came to fruition: The GCE Hike 2020! The starting point was the Bayreuth Hauptbahnhof, where all of us met and we had the chance to do some catching up before the beginning of our journey. Joined by GCE students from years 2017, 2018 and 2019 along the GCE coordination, we were a group of fifteen people. We followed a path of approximately 7 km, walking through the Bayreuther forest by the Grüner Hügel towards a Biergarten in Bindlach. It was a nice hike on a beautiful day!

Besides being a gathering for the GCE community, it was also a moment when we could cherish and honour the presence of GCE coordinator Anja Jaeschke, who is now leaving the Universität Bayreuth. Anja came to the Uni Bayreuth in 2009 for her PhD, and following that, in 2013, she started teaching modules for the Global Change Ecology Master Program. Some of the courses she was responsible for are “Spatial Ecology”, “Concepts in Biogeographical Modelling”, “Academic Working Methods and Skills” and the “Global Change Ecology Overview” module. She has been doing a great job as part of the coordination alongside Stephanie Thomas since 2015, but now she heads to a new and exciting phase of her life to work at the Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt (Bavarian Environment Agency) in Augsburg.

There is nothing like being around your favourite people, and this GCE gathering was very much in demand! We could enjoy each other’s presence after being apart for around four months of online courses, and appreciate the day and nature. While some of us are already free of lectures, others still have courses, assignments and exams, and this day of togetherness offered a much-needed day of stress-relief and connection. All in all, one thing is for sure: We stay emotional as Anja departs from the Uni Bayreuth and the GCE coordination, but we are all excited and wishing her all the best in this new moment of her life!

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GCE Alumni (1): PostDoc at the University of Greifswald

Valentin Lang — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 09:18:04 +0000

The master´s programme “Global Change Ecology” (GCE) started in 2006. Since that time, some GCE students have already completed their Master´s degree.
We are interested to know what has been happening in the lives of our former GCE students. A few GCE alumni told us about GCE and how their careers have continued after they had finished the master´s programme.
This series is started by Dr. Gesche Blume-Werry, who was born in Germany and started to study GCE in 2009:

Why did you decide to study GCE?
I was intrigued by the interdisciplinarity and internationality of the study programme.

What did you like most about GCE?
The close contact to the teachers, the small groups, and the strong focus of the university on geosciences.

How has your career continued after GCE?
I spent several years living above the arctic circle to do my PhD on ‘Fine root dynamics in northern ecosystems’ at Umeå University, Sweden.

What is your current position? What are your tasks?
I am currently a PostDoc at the University of Greifswald, and study how rewetting of drained peatlands influences plant production above- and belowground.

How has GCE supported your career?
I think GCE provided a great launching platform, full of people supporting you in your ideas and quests.

What do you recommend to the current GCE students?
Follow your passion and curiosity!

The post GCE Alumni (1): PostDoc at the University of Greifswald appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

GCE History: First Year (2006)

Valentin Lang — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 20:52:28 +0000

Manuel Steinbauer, Professor of Sport Ecology at the University of Bayreuth since 2019, was a student of GCE the very first year it began, 2006. The GCE blog team was able to conduct an interview with the GCE alumni, which included recollections from the beginnings of the master’s degree programme “Global Change Ecology”.

Manuel Steinbauer enthusiastically recalled the small group of the first year, which at that time still consisted of only six students. He revealed that the tiny cohort offered some advantages for students and enabled very intensive interactions with the lecturers. Since the course was new for all participants, it was possible to help shape processes and content.
When asked why he had chosen GCE as a master’s course at the time, he mentioned the relevance and topicality of the subject as well as the possibility to specialize in the field of ecology. During his studies, Manuel Steinbauer particularly liked the insights into politics he received by participating in both international environmental conferences and internal research conferences. The resulting meetings with international scientists aroused his enthusiasm for research. He also learned a lot through summer schools and an internship at WWF Pakistan.

Prof. Dr. Manuel Steinbauer, born in 1983 in Geisenhofen near Munich, began his bachelor’s degree in geoecology at the University of Bayreuth in 2004 and continued his studies from 2006 to 2009 with the master’s degree in “Global Change Ecology” (GCE). This was followed by a doctorate in Bayreuth, a three-year stint as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Aarhus in Denmark and the taking over as professor of “System Paleobiology” at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. In August 2019 he followed the call from the University of Bayreuth and returned as professor of “Sport Ecology”.

Internationalization of GCE

Prof. Steinbauer welcomed the fact that the GCE programme is now international, because in the first year all fellow students were German-speaking. For this reason, some lectures were held in German, whereas today everything is in English. Since the programme was still being constructed at that time, even more improvisation had been required, while today firmer and proven structures have been established.
Prof. Steinbauer laughingly recalled the participation of his GCE cohort in the so-called “Elite Cup”, an annual one-day football tournament where programmes within the elite network of Bavaria compete against one another. At that time, the GCE football team was still mixed with lecturers and students, but they “lost mercilessly” and ended up placing near the bottom standings.

The GCE alumnus Manuel Steinbauer will teach GCE students soon

New courses for GCE

Addressed to current GCE students, Prof. Steinbauer emphasized that GCE course would offer very well-founded and good methods training which, together with the insights into politics, had helped him a lot.
From the upcoming winter semester and onwards, the GCE alumni will be teaching new GCE students as a professor. He has already revealed that his chair will offer lectures on the topic of “Sport Ecology” and “Sustainable Tourism” as well as two methodological courses, one of which will be about the analysis of movement data.
Thus, a member of the first GCE class will now as a professor be teaching students of the 14-year-old GCE master’s programme.

English editing kindly done by Taylor Blair

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GCE-Geschichte: Erster Jahrgang (2006)

Valentin Lang — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 20:36:01 +0000

Manuel Steinbauer, seit 2019 Professor für Sportökologie an der Universität Bayreuth, gehörte zu den Studierenden des allerersten GCE-Jahrgangs 2006. Der GCE-Blog konnte ein Interview mit dem GCE-Alumni führen, wobei es auch um die Anfänge des Masterstudiengangs „Global Change Ecology“ (GCE) ging.

Manuel Steinbauer erzählte begeistert von der keinen Gruppe des ersten Jahrgangs, der damals noch nur aus sechs Studierenden bestanden hatte. Er verriet, dass der kleine Jahrgang einige Vorteile für die Studierenden bot und sehr intensive Interaktionen mit den Dozenten und Dozentinnen ermöglichte. Da der Studiengang für alle Beteiligten neu war, gab es die Möglichkeit Abläufe und Inhalte mitzugestalten.
Auf die Frage angesprochen, weshalb er sich damals für GCE als Masterstudiengang entschieden habe, nannte er die Relevanz und Aktualität des Themas des Studiengangs sowie die Möglichkeit sich auf den Bereich „Ökologie“ spezialisieren zu können. Während des Studiums haben Manuel Steinbauer besonders die Einblicke in die Politik durch die Teilnahme an internationalen Umweltkonferenzen gefallen und die Teilnahme an internationalen Forschungskonferenzen. Die dadurch entstandenen Zusammenkünfte mit internationalen Wissenschaftlern weckten in ihm die Begeisterung für die Forschung. Auch bei den Summer Schools und dem Praktikum beim WWF Pakistan habe er sehr viel gelernt.

Prof. Dr. Manuel Steinbauer, 1983 in Geisenhofen bei München geboren, begann 2004 den Bachelorstudiengang „Geoökologie“ an der Universität Bayreuth und setzte das Studium von 2006 bis 2009 mit dem Masterstudiengang „Global Change Ecology“ fort. Es folgten die Promotion in Bayreuth, ein dreijähriger Aufenthalt als PostDoc an der Universität Aarhus in Dänemark und die Übernahme der Professur für „System-Paläobiologie“ an der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Im August 2019 folgte er dem Ruf der Universität Bayreuth und kehrte als Professor für „Sportökologie“ nach Bayreuth zurück.

Internationalisierung des Studienganges

Prof. Steinbauer begrüßte, dass der GCE-Studiengang heute international zusammengesetzt sei, denn im ersten Jahrgang wären noch alle KommilitonInnen deutschsprachig gewesen. Deswegen fanden früher auch noch manche Vorlesungen auf Deutsch statt, während heute alle englischsprachig sind. Da sich damals noch alles im Aufbau befunden hatte, war auch noch mehr Improvisation gefragt gewesen, während sich heute festere und bewährte Strukturen verfestigt haben.
Lachend erinnerte sich Prof. Steinbauer an die Teilnahme des GCE-Jahrgangs am sog. „EliteCup“, einem eintägigen Fußballturnier, an dem die Elitestudiengänge des Elitenetzwerk Bayerns jährlich teilnehmen können. Damals sei die GCE-Mannschaft noch von Dozenten unterstütz worden, dennoch hätten sie „gnadenlos verloren“ und wären auf den letzten Plätzen gelandet.

Der GCE-Alumnus Manuel Steinbauer wird ab kommendem Wintersemester auch GCE-Studierende unterrichten

Neue Kurse für GCE

An die jetzigen GCE-Studierenden gerichtet, hebt Prof. Steinbauer hervor, dass der Studiengang eine sehr fundierte und gute Methodenausbildung anbieten würde, die ihm zusammen mit den Einblicken in die Politik sehr geholfen habe.
Ab dem kommenden Wintersemester wird der GCE-Alumni nun als Professor die neuen GCE-Studierenden unterrichten. Dabei verrät er bereits, dass sein Lehrstuhl Veranstaltungen zum Thema „Sportökologie“ und „Nachhaltiger Tourismus“ anbieten wird sowie zwei Methodenkurse, wobei es in einem u.a. um die Bewegungsdatenanalyse gehen wird.
Somit wird einer der ersten GCE-Studierenden nun selber als Professor Studierende des mittlerweile 14-jährigen GCE-Masterstudienganges unterrichten.

The post GCE-Geschichte: Erster Jahrgang (2006) appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

Application deadline for winter term 2020/2021: 15 June 2020

Valentin Lang — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 10:17:00 +0000

The application deadline for the winter term 2020/2021 is approaching: GCE looks forward to receive applications by 15 June 2020.
You can find more information about the application requirements and process here.
If you cannot find your question in our FAQs, please feel free to contact the GCE coordination.

We are looking forward to your application and hope to welcome you in Bayreuth this autumn!

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„Klimawald“ – Climate tolerant forests

Valentin Lang — Sun, 03 May 2020 10:41:16 +0000

The consequences of climate change can no longer be overlooked in some of Germany’s forests. To address this, three students from the international master’s program “Global Change Ecology” (GCE) in the Elite Network of Bavaria initiated the “Klimawald” project. Together with around 250 helpers, they planted seedlings of climate-tolerant tree species in a forest area in Bayreuth. There is great interest in the project and it may be repeated elsewhere in the near future.

„Klimawald“ – The beginning

The large-scale fires in Australia recently brought the impacts of climate change on forests back into the public eye. However, climate change not only increases the risk of forest fires, but it also presents other major problems to forests in these parts. This can currently be observed in some regions of Germany, where spruce trees in particular have fallen victim to drought and infestations of bark beetles.
In order to better adapt a Bayreuth forest to climate change, GCE students Theresa Landwehr, Kun Woo Ro and Nikunj Pathak initiated the “Klimawald” project. In cooperation with several project partners, these three students with the help of around 250 volunteers planted over 4,500 trees in three days at the end of April 2019. This project took place in a forested area that had been damaged by storms and drought. The planted tree species had previously been selected by experts and were characterized not only by their climate tolerance but also by their valuable wood. In the next few years, the seedlings will continue to be cared for and replanted if necessary.

GCE students Kun Woo Ro, Theresa Landwehr and Nikunj Pathak (from left to right) initiated the “Klimawald” project

„Klimawald“ – The continuation

The GCE students were overwhelmed by the great response their project generated. The regional media reported on the “Klimawald” and there is still great interest among the population. In the meantime, the “Klimawald” has become an excursion destination and more areas are scheduled to be planted with climate-tolerant tree species.
The idea of the “Klimawald” is also spreading outside of Bayreuth: For example, students from Höxter have proposed they would like to carry out a similar project themselves. Yet, this project idea may not remain just within Germany. GCE student Kun Woo Ro is currently carrying the project idea further to his home country in South Korea. Thus, not only the seedlings in the Bayreuth forest continue to grow, but also the idea of the “Klimawald”.

More than 4,500 seedlings were planted in a three day period

This text was written for the Elite Network Bavaria.
English editing kindly done by Taylor Blair

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„Klimawald“ – Klimatolerante Wälder

Valentin Lang — Sun, 03 May 2020 10:31:50 +0000

Die Folgen des Klimawandels sind in einigen Wäldern Deutschlands nicht mehr zu übersehen. Um dem etwas entgegenzusetzen, initiierten drei Studierende des internationalen Masterstudiengangs „Global Change Ecology“ (GCE) im Elitenetzwerk Bayern das Projekt „Klimawald“. Zusammen mit etwa 250 HelferInnen pflanzten sie Setzlinge klimatoleranter Baumarten auf einer Waldfläche in Bayreuth ein. Das Interesse an dem Projekt ist groß und könnte in naher Zukunft auch an anderen Orten wiederholt werden.

„Klimawald“ – Der Beginn

Die großflächigen Brände in Australien brachten den Einfluss des Klimawandels auf die Wälder zuletzt wieder in die öffentliche Aufmerksamkeit. Der Klimawandel erhöht jedoch nicht nur die Waldbrandgefahr, sondern stellt auch hierzulande die Wälder vor andere große Probleme. Dies lässt sich zurzeit in einigen Regionen Deutschlands beobachten, wo insbesondere die Fichten der Trockenheit und dem Borkenkäfer zum Opfer gefallen sind.
Um einen Bayreuther Wald besser an den Klimawandel anzupassen, initiierten die GCE-Studierenden Theresa Landwehr, Kun Woo Ro und Nikunj Pathak das Projekt „Klimawald“. In Kooperation mit mehreren Projektpartnern pflanzten die drei mit etwa 250 HelferInnen an drei Tagen Ende April 2019 mehr als 4.500 Bäume auf einer sturm- und dürregeschädigten Waldfläche. Die gepflanzten Baumarten waren zuvor von Experten ausgewählt worden und zeichnen sich neben der Klimatoleranz auch durch ihr wertvolles Holz aus. In den nächsten Jahren werden die Setzlinge weiter gepflegt und gegebenenfalls nachgepflanzt.

Die GCE-Studierenden Kun Woo Ro, Theresa Landwehr und Nikunj Pathak (von links nach rechts) initiierten das Projekt „Klimawald“

„Klimawald“ – Die Fortsetzung

Die GCE-Studierenden waren von der großen Resonanz, die ihr Projekt hervorrief, überwältigt. Über den „Klimawald“ wurde in den regionalen Medien berichtet und das Interesse in der Bevölkerung ist nach wie vor groß. Mittlerweile ist der „Klimawald“ zu einem Exkursionsziel geworden und es sollen weitere Flächen mit klimatoleranten Baumarten bepflanzt werden.
Die Idee des „Klimawalds“ verbreitet sich auch außerhalb von Bayreuth: So haben sich zum Beispiel Studierende aus Höxter gemeldet, die ein ähnliches Projekt gerne bei sich durchführen würden. Es soll aber nicht nur bei Deutschland bleiben. Gerade ist der GCE-Studierende Kun Woo Ro dabei die Projektidee weiter in sein Heimatland nach Südkorea zu tragen. Somit wachsen nicht nur die Setzlinge im Bayreuther Wald immer weiter, sondern auch die Idee des „Klimawalds“.

An drei Tagen wurden mehr als 4.500 Setzlinge eingepflanzt

Dieser Text wurde für das Elitenetzwerk Bayern geschrieben.

The post „Klimawald“ – Klimatolerante Wälder appeared first on Global Change Ecology.

2019 – The GCE Year in Review

Valentin Lang — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 18:19:57 +0000

The year 2019 is almost over. It was another fine and eventful year for GCE. Finally, it is time to look back:

28.04.2019 – 04.05.2019, Paris (France): 36 GCE students participated in the seventh plenary session of IPBES as “observers”.
For more information click here

22.06.2019, Regensburg (Germany): GCE sent a football team to the “EliteCup” 2019.

29.06.2019, Bayreuth (Germany): The traditional GCE Summerfête took place in the Ecological-Botanical Garden of the University of Bayreuth.
For more information click here

14.10.2019, Bayreuth (Germany): GCE students from the previous years welcomed the new “GCE 2019″ students generation during the GCE Welcome Meeting. 29 new students were expected to start the master´s course in the winter term 2019/20.
For more information click here

25.10.2019 – 27.10.2019, Wallenfels (Germany): GCE students from different years spent a weekend together to get to know each other better.

09.11.2019, Munich (Germany): A group of the new GCE 2019 students travelled to Munich and took part in the “Get Together” of the Elite Network of Bavaria.

09.12.2019, Munich (Germany): 21 “old” GCE students were part of the graduation ceremony of the Elite Network of Bavaria.
For more information click here

13.12.2019 – 14.12.2019, Bayreuth (Germany): The training workshop “Global Diversity” was conducted. The voluntary workshop was organised for 30 GCE students.
For more information click here

We wish everyone a happy new year and look forward to the future together!

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