Self Assessment Report - Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences 1
Content The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences 4 A short overview 4 Mission statement 5 Faculty organization and human resources 6 Financial resources 7 Research 8 Teaching 9 Public Relations 10 Facts and Figures 11 Institute of Geography 17 Presentation of the Institute 17 Mission Statement 19 Financial Resources 21 Research 21 Teaching 25 SWOT Analysis 25 Institute of Geology and Palaeontology 29 Presentation of the Institute 29 Mission statement 30 Financial resources 30 Research 30 Teaching and outreach 34 SWOT Analysis 35 Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics 37 Presentation of the Institute 37 Mission Statement 39 Financial Resources 39 Research 39 Teaching and Outreach 43 SWOT Analysis 44 Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography 45 Presentation of the Institute 45 Mission Statement 46 Research 46 Teaching 50 SWOT Analysis 51 Appendix 52 Publications, Lectures, Organisation of Scientific Events, Research Projects, Fellowships, Review/Referee Activities and Scientific Services, Academic Activities, Other Scientific or Artistic Activities 2 3
The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences Mission statement A short overview The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences was founded only in 2004. Due to a new university legislation and as a consequence of a process of administrative restructuring of the Leopold-Franzens Universität (LFU), four institutes, the Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography, the Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, the Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics and, last but not least, the Institute of Geography, were moved from the older Faculty of Natural Sciences in order to form the current Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences. Fortunately, during the last eight years the process of formation and consolidation of the new faculty did not cause major problems. Quite on the contrary, the restructuring took place very rapidly allowing the faculty as a whole, as well as all institutes to benefit from the new organizational framework. More specifically, the faculty profited from new university-wide rules for the distribution of financial resources which are currently not solely based on teaching burdens but also particularly focus on scientific output. Likewise, transparent decision structures, as well as everyday administrative processes within the faculty have constantly been improved. Altogether, the visibility of the faculty and its four Institutes increased not only within the university but also among the national and international scientific communities, as well as the general public (cf. public relations). As a result, an increasing cross-disciplinary ownership of all Faculty members, more intensive intra-faculty cooperation, and a new common identity have to be regarded as perhaps the most important outcomes of the installation of the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences. All processes of Global Change (especially Global Climate Change), the increasing scarcity of natural resources, as well as an increasing societal pressure on land in urban and rural areas constitute permanent challenges for basic and applied research in geo- and atmospheric sciences. Due to their manifold expertise, all geo- and atmospheric sciences contribute substantially to the investigation and better understanding of the functioning and the interferences in the atmosphere, the cryosphere and the lithosphere, as well as their respective interdependencies with the anthroposphere. Thus, geo- and atmospheric research generates relevant insights in climate and landscape history, in research on all dimensions of Global Change (e.g. concerning the nature and consequences of Climate Change). Furthermore, geo- and atmospheric sciences contribute to the understanding of natural hazards and risks, as well as to the comprehension of the dynamics of regional development and the backgrounds of socio-ecological conflicts. All in all, findings of geo- and atmospheric research deliver important scientific fundaments for regionally sound Global Change adaptation strategies and the design of pathways towards a sustainable regional development. In this way, geo- and atmospheric sciences cope with their societal task to participate actively and responsibly in debates on the main challenges for the future. The location of the University of Innsbruck in the core of the Alps allows for the geo- and atmospheric sciences to lay a specific focus on mountain related research. In areas such as High Mountain Research, Mountain Meteorology (e.g. Foehn studies), Glaciology, Alpine Geology and Quaternary Research, Natural Hazards, as well as Regional Studies and Comparative Mountain Research, Innsbruck s geo- and atmospheric sciences occupy an outstanding position not only within the national and European but also in the international scientific community. It is a major task for the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences not only to maintain, but also to broaden this leading position in the international scientific community by both enhancing the quality and visibility of activities at the relevant research frontiers, and, at the same time, by guaranteeing excellent, research guided teaching at Bachelor-, Masters- and PhD-level. This report is structured as followed: Chapter 1 gives a short overview over the faculty as a whole and reports on activities of the faculty in order to guarantee a research oriented environment and to enhance the scientific productivity; chapter 2 provides a detailed self-evaluation of the four institutes of the faculty. The appendix contains all publications, lectures, fellowships and academic functions of the Faculty members for the evaluation period from until. All data concerning the scientific output and academic functions were provided and duly organized by the university s research performance documentation (FLD). All information concerning university and extramural staff, as well as financial resources is given in accordance with the respective university data bases and relates to the evaluation period. 4 5
The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty organization and human resources The organizational structure of the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences, valid since 2004, is shown in the following organigram. Generally speaking, the faculty has a lean organizational structure. On the faculty level, all decisions are taken by the Faculty Directorate and/or the Faculty Council and/or the Board of Heads of Institutes (esp. concerning financial resources), supported by the Faculty Office managed by one full-time employed person. Decisions concerning teaching issues are under the responsibility of the Curriculum Commission. The faculty gets administrative support by the Dean of Studies Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christoph Spötl Dean Univ.-Prof. Dr. Martin Coy FakultätenServicestelle, an organizational unit subordinated to the Central Administration of the university. The faculty comprises four institutes, being the Institute of Geography the largest in number of staff members, enrolled students, as well as financial resources. During the last years the relation among the institutes changed significantly due to retirements, lacking substitutions of leaving staff members, or due to relocations of working groups as in the case of the working group Tropical Glaciology from the Institute of Geo- Faculty Council Univ.-Prof. Dr. Mathias Rotach graphy to the Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics as a result of Georg Kaser s appointment as Professor at the Institute of Meteorology. Concerning human resources, in the Faculty of Geoand Atmospheric Sciences consisted, all in all, of 131 people, being 20 administrative employees and 111 scientists (for tables and figures concerning the Faculty as a whole, cf. page 10 ff., for more detailed information concerning the institutes, cf. chapter 2). Out of these 111 scientists, 43 were university funded (on permanent or temporary positions) and 68 thirdparty (extramural) funded. During the evaluation period, a slight decrease in university funded scientists (from 45 to 43) is observed, while extramural funded scientists increased significantly (from 60 to 68). This tendency indicates the faculty s strengths concerning the acquisition of third-party funds. A serious challenge is the faculty s shortage in administrative and technical staff necessary to maintain the functioning of the faculty s laboratories or to guarantee an adequate IT support, etc. Financial resources The financial resources of the faculty depend, first of all, on the budgetary transfer from the university to the faculty level. Within the evaluation period the faculty budget increased from 516.841 Euro in to 607.190 Euro in (cf. figure below). Besides very slight increases of the university budget as a whole, this positive development results from a positive performance of the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences in comparison with other LFU faculties. Over the last years, particularly the indicators for research intensity and scientific output (third-party funding, publications, etc.) have alsways been above the average of LFU faculties. Indicators for the year concerning extramural funding, publications and scientific lectures per scientific staff member show that the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences reached the second, the sixth and the second rank respectively in university wide comparison. Development of financial resources - 800.000,00 600.000,00 400.000,00 200.000,00 Institute of Geography Head Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johann Stötter Deputy Program Manager Ao.Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hanns Kerschner Institute of Geology and Palaeontology Head Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Fügenschuh Deputy Program Manager Univ.-Prof. Dr. Roland Stalder Faculty Office Monika Kößler Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics Head Univ.-Prof. Dr. Mathias Rotach Deputy Univ.-Prof. Dr. Georg Kaser Program Manager Ao.Univ.-Prof. Dr. Georg Mayr Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography Head Univ.-Prof. Dr. Volker Kahlenberg Deputy Ao.Univ.-Prof. Dr. Peter Tropper Program Manager Univ.-Prof. Dr. Roland Stalder During the evaluation period, two new Professors have been appointed at the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences, both at the Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics: Univ.- Prof. Dr. Mathias Rotach, who, now, holds the chair of Dynamic Meteorology, and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Georg Kaser, holding a third, newly created chair of Climate and Cryosphere. One professor, o.univ.-prof. Dr. Michael Kuhn (Chair of Meteorology and Geophysics), retired at the end of the evaluation period (October ). This position will be substituted by a Chair of Atmospheric Physics at the beginning of 2013. Regarding tenure track positions, existing for a few years at Austrian universities, the Faculty installed five such positions during the evaluation period: two at the Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics, two at the Institute of Geography and one at the Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography. 0,00 Taking the year as an example, the faculty passed 81% of its total budget to the four institutes. Those institutes, on their side, spent 40% of all financial resources on operating costs (so called A3 budget) and 60% on investments (socalled A1 budget). At the faculty level, the remaining financial resources for the year were allocated as followed: Travel costs for staff members (active participation in scientific events): 7,4% (i.e. 7.000 Euro) Promotion of young researchers (active participation in scientific events): 10% (i.e. 10.000 Euro) 6 7
The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences Basic funding of the three Faculty Research Centres: 15% (i.e. 15.000 Euro) Funding of fellowships for visiting scientists at the three Faculty Research Centres: 7,4% (i.e. 7.500 Euro) Funding of scientific conferences, events and publications: 15% (i.e. 15.000 Euro) Faculty fund for maintenance: 30% (i.e. 30.000 Euro) Faculty fund for safety-at-work measures: 10% (i.e. 10.000 Euro) Speaker: Deputy Speaker Hosting Institutes Climate and Cryosphere Univ.-Prof. Dr. Georg Kaser Ao.Univ.-Prof. Dr. Kurt Nicolussi Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics Institute of Geography Geodynamics - Geomaterials In addition to the regular university budget, the financial resources of the faculty s institutes depend - especially for all research activities almost exclusively - on third-party funding. Most extramural funds are acquired through the different national and international research funding agencies (such as the FWF, European Union, Interreg) as well as regional funding agencies (TWF etc.) and private foundations or companies. The amount of extramural financial resources is constantly far above the regular university budget as it is shown in the overview figures on page 11 (for more details and comments cf. chapter 2). Speaker: Deputy Speaker Hosting Institutes Speaker Deputy Speaker Hosting Institute Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Fügenschuh Univ.-Prof. Dr. Volker Kahlenberg Institute of Geology and Palaeontology Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography Global Change - Regional Sustainability Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johann Stötter Univ.-Prof. Dr. Martin Coy Institute of Geography Teaching During the evaluation period, the transition to the new European Bologna architecture of university teaching was implemented at all levels. Nowadays, the Faculty offers the following study programmes: Research Over the last years, the LFU Innsbruck implemented the following university-wide research structure designed to improve profiling and help to define priorities. At the same time, it serves as an institutional framework for individual or collective research activities: Research Areas (university-wide) Research Platforms (at cross-faculty level) Research Centres (at Faculty level) All institutes of the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences actively participate in the University s Research Area Alpine Space Man and Environment. Several scientists of our faculty are Deputy Speakers or members of the Research Area s Advisory Board. The faculty itself operates the three following Research Centres which contribute to coordinating, to profiling and to prioritizing research activities at the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences. The Research Centre Climate and Cryosphere, which is coordinated by members of the Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics constitutes a platform for the discussion of the complex interdependencies between climate and all phenomena of ice and snow. In this manner, a longstanding research tradition at LFU is continued. The Research Centre Geodynamics Geomaterials is operated by members of the Institute of Geology and Palaeontology as well as of the Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography. Activities aim at a better understanding of the manifold interactions between endogenous and exogenous processes. The Research Centre Global Change Regional Sustainability is mainly carried out by the members of the Institute of Geography. This Research Centre deals with the multifaceted interdependencies of (predominantly human-driven) global processes on the one, and therewith resulting phenomena at local and regional level, on the other hand. At the same time, the Research Centre constitutes a platform for discussion of new, integrative approaches for man-environment-research and, thus, for a new understanding of geography. For more details concerning the research activities cf. chapter 2. Scientific qualification is an important indicator for research intensity and output of a faculty. During the evaluation period (academic year 2006/07 until /10) 29 doctoral degrees (PhD dissertations) and 6 post-doctoral degrees (Habilitationen) have been obtained at the four Institutes of the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences. The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences is closely linked to several extra-university institutions and research centres by common research activities. Two of these institutions have to be mentioned in particular, since they are led by faculty members: alps Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Technologies (Scientific Director: o.univ.-prof. Dr. Johann Stötter) Institute for Mountain Research: Man and Environment / Austrian Academy of Sciences (Director: o.univ.-prof. Dr. Axel Borsdorf) For more information about research networks and cooperation at the Institute s level, cf. chapter 2. BSc Atmospheric Sciences BSc Earth Sciences BSc Geography MSc Atmospheric Sciences MSc Earth Sciences MSc Geography: Global Change Regional Sustainability PhD Atmospheric Sciences PhD Earth Sciences PhD Geography Lehramtsstudium (teacher training degree) Geography and Economics The number of inscribed students at the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences increased during the evaluation period from 1.028 in to 1.326 in, corresponding to a 22.5% growth. The highest increase was observed in geography with 31%. Taking all staff scientists as basis, the ratio between inscribed students and staff scientists at the four institutes was in as followed: 66 students/scientist in geography, 16 students/scientist in meteorology, 14 students/ scientist in geology, 13 students/scientist in mineralogy. For more details cf. page 12 and chapter 2. 8 9
The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences Facts and Figures Staff Institute of Geography Institute of Geography Total 53 54 62 49 Scientists 18 18 17 14 40 30 20 Scientists Administrators Administrators 4 4 3 3 10 Extramural Scientists Extramural Scientists 30 31 38 31 Extramural Administrators 1 1 0 1 0 Extramural Administrators Institute of Geology and Palaeontology Total 23 27 29 25 Scientists 9 9 10 9 40 30 20 Institute of Geology and Palaeontology Scientists Administrators Public Relations During the eight years of its existence the faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences took the initiative at various occasions to disseminate general informations on modern geo- and atmospheric sciences, as well as more specific knowledge on the faculty s research activities. For this purpose, the faculty implemented the following dissemination formats: Tag der Geowissenschaften (Faculty s Day): This major event takes place every two years and consists of invited lectures, presentations, expositions, panel discussions and poster competitions. Fakultätsbericht (Faculty Report): This report is compiled every two years and is distributed at the Faculty s Day (cf. the faculty homepage for a pdf-version). Expositions: On the occasion of the International Year of Planet Earth the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences elaborated, for instance, an exposition of posters for a wider target audience containing information of Innsbruck s specific contributions concerning key questions of the IYPE (cf. the faculty homepage for a pdf-version). Additionally, the faculty and its members regularly participate in university-wide dissemination events, such as Lange Nacht der Forschung, Junge Uni etc. Special activities for Teacher Training play an increasing role in the faculty s dissemination strategy. Administrators 5 4 4 4 Extramural Scientists 9 11 13 11 Extramural Administrators 0 3 2 1 Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics Total 28 23 22 33 Scientists 9 8 8 10 Administrators 6 6 6 6 Extramural Scientists 12 9 8 17 Extramural Administrators 1 0 0 0 Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography Total 23 23 25 24 Scientists 9 10 10 10 Administrators 5 5 5 5 Extramural Scientists 9 8 10 9 Extramural Administrators 0 0 0 0 10 0 40 30 20 10 0 40 30 20 10 0 Extramural Scientists Extramural Administrators Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics Scientists Administrators Extramural Scientists Extramural Administrators Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography Scientists Administrators Extramural Scientists Extramural Administrators 10 11
The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences Financial Resources Numbers of inscriptions and graduations Institute of Geography 1000 Institute of Geography Institute of Geography University 182.259 213.545 202.461 217.832 Extramural 1.259.219 1.225.259 1.059.853 663.142 1.500.000,00 1.000.000,00 500.000,00 0,00 University Extramural Institute of Geography Numbers of inscriptions Numbers of graduations WS 07/08 WS 08/09 WS 09/10 WS 10/11 636 719 848 918 34 41 76 62 800 600 400 200 0 WS 07/08WS 08/09WS 09/10WS 10/11 Numbers of Inscriptions Numbers of graduations Institute of Geology and Palaeontology University 79.074 95.975 80.310 82.317 Extramural 750.597 675.338 942.030 828.410 Institute of Geology and Palaeontology 1.500.000,00 1.000.000,00 University 500.000,00 Extramural 0,00 Institute of Geology and Palaeontology Numbers of inscriptions Numbers of graduations WS 07/08 WS 08/09 WS 09/10 WS 10/11 108 112 111 128 8 8 13 14 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Institute of Geology and Palaeontology WS 07/08WS 08/09WS 09/10WS 10/11 Numbers of inscriptions Numbers of graduations Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics University 87.945 87.511 86.332 85.520 Extramural 630.948 698.638 673.198 687.223 Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics 1.500.000,00 1.000.000,00 University 500.000,00 Extramural 0,00 Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics Numbers of inscriptions Numbers of graduations WS 07/08 WS 08/09 WS 09/10 WS 10/11 191 174 159 155 10 20 20 16 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics WS 07/08WS 08/09WS 09/10WS 10/11 Numbers of inscriptions Numbers of graduations Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography University 68.470 111.902 109.800 107.520 Extramural 488.270 442.004 709.056 573.527 Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography 1.500.000,00 1.000.000,00 University 500.000,00 Extramural 0,00 Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography Numbers of inscriptions Numbers of graduations WS 07/08 WS 08/09 WS 09/10 WS 10/11 93 93 98 125 7 4 8 14 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography WS 07/08WS 08/09WS 09/10WS 10/11 Numbers of inscriptions Numbers of graduations 12 13
The Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences The Institutes of the Faculty Studies New Studies Old Studies Bachelor Numbers of Students WS /12 Atmosphärenwissenschaften 100 Erdwissenschaften 150 Geographie 247 Total 497 Bachelor Numbers of Students WS /12 Geo- und Atmosphärenwissenschaften 138 Master Numbers of Students WS /12 Atmosphärenwissenschaften 36 Erdwissenschaften 47 Geographie 106 Total 189 Diploma Studies Numbers of Students WS /12 Meteorologie und Geophysik 10 Erdwissenschaften 13 Geographie 1 Total 24 PhD Numbers of Students WS /12 Atmosphärenwissenschaften 12 Erdwissenschaften 7 Doctoral Studies (natural sciences) Numbers of Students WS /12 Geographie 23 Total 42 Meteorologie und Geophysik 5 Mineralogie und Petrologie 1 Geologie 4 Geographie 37 Lehramtsstudium Numbers of Students WS /12 Lehramtsstudium Geographie und Wirtschaftskunde 2 Geographie und Wirtschaftskunde 498 Total 49 14 15
Institute of Geography Presentation of the Institute Staff Officially founded in 1879, with the establishment of a first professorship for geography, the Institute of Geography at the University of Innsbruck belongs to the oldest university institutes in the German-speaking geography. Since then, internationally renowned professors like Hans Kinzl (1935-1969), Franz Fliri (1964-1988), Adolf Leidlmair (1969-1989) and Gerhard Abele (1990-1994) have held chairs at this institute. While an increase of academic staff from 13 to 18 scientists could be observed over the last decade, the academic year / showed a drastic drop to 14 scientists. This development has to be kept in mind when analysing the decline in research projects and publication activities from to. However, during the current summer term 2012, the Institute of Geography managed to re-establish the academic staff to 17 persons. Present Situation Today, the Institute of Geography comprises three professorships: the chair for human geography (Axel Borsdorf, since 1991), the chair for physical geography (Johann Stötter, since 1998) and the chair for applied geography and sustainability research (Martin Coy, since 2002). Name Professors Borsdorf, Axel Coy, Martin Stötter, Johann Physical Geography MEC, NHR Human Geography AM&EM, DR SR, DR. Besides those three institutional anchors, the Institute of Geography is flexibly designed in order to be able to adapt to new situations. Hence, in order to understand its structure, the institute has to be seen in a constant process of development, driven by its vision, mission and subsequent goals. Associate Professors Frantz, Klaus Kerschner, Hanns Nicolussi, Kurt MEC DECHR Lab., MEC AM&EM Thus, in 1999 a voluntary self-evaluation process has been initiated, with four international external reviewers (a physical geographer from the UK, a human geographer from Germany, a representative of a Tyrolean authority and a coordinator of teachers education from Vorarlberg) spending a week at the institute. As one result, the evaluation stimulated the intensification of both project acquisition and publication activities. Steinicke, Ernst Assistant Professors Aistleitner, Josef Geitner, Clemens Heller, Armin Neuburger, Martina TA MEC, S&E, NHR LiDAR AM&EM, DR DR Consequently, in 2002 the Institute of Geography carried out a SWOT analysis resulting in the definition of development goals presented to the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the University Management. These goals comprised: PostDocs Keller, Lars Scharr, Kurt Docs GD, TA AM&EM, SR 1. Improving the corporate identity and developing a brand Geography Innsbruck 2. Attaining a visible position among the top-rated departments of geography in the German-speaking countries (D-A-CH) as well as a worldwide renowned position in mountain research 3. Ensuring adequate project budget (national and international research programmes, industry contract research) Ruiz-Peyre, Fernando DR Schartin, Julia SR Schmitt, Tobias DR Töpfer, Tobias DR Technical Staff Förster, Klaus; Haffner, Maria; Lassner, Waltraud 16 17
Institute of Geography Institute of Geography Institute of Geography Physical Geography Human Geography Mission Statement PostDocs (Projects) Hama, Michiko GD Innsbruck Concept of Geography ( Innsbrucker Weg der Geographie ) Meissl, Gertraud Moran, Andrew Rutzinger, Martin Sailer, Rudolf Schöberl, Friedrich Steiger, Robert Thieken, Annegret Docs (Projects) MEC, S&E, NHR MEC S&E, LiDAR NHR NHR MEC NHR Beismann, Michael; Bellinger, Johannes; Bremer, Magnus; Cammerer, Holger; Dobler, Christian; Egger, Manfred; Hoinkes, Susanna; Klug, Christoph; Lanz, Frederike; Link, Steffen; Lochner, Bernhard; Löffler, Roland; Oberrauch, Anna; Pfurtscheller, Clemens; Pichler, Thomas; Rieg, Lorenzo; Ruggenthaler, Romed; Schneeberger, Klaus; Schober, Alexander; Schröder, Verena; Schöber, Johannes; Sproß, Maximilian; Trawöger, Elisabeth; Walder, Judith; Wanker, Christine Institute of Geography Scientific Staff (Grants) Ammering, Ute Bachri, Syamsul Kister, Jutta Klingler, Michael NHR Physical Geography DR DR DR Human Geography Abbreviations Physical Geography DECHR Lab. MEC S&E NHR Dendrochronology Laboratory Mountain Environmental Changes Soils and Ecology Natural Hazards Research The Innsbruck Concept of Geography is strongly connected with the Research Centre Global Change Regional Sustainability. Its general understanding of geography focuses on inseparably connected human-environment systems and their dynamics. In these systems the natural spheres (i.e. litho-, atmo- hydro-, bio-, and pedosphere) interact in many ways with the anthroposphere. The research philosophy of the Innsbruck Concept of Geography is built on four fundamental premises: 1. Global Change processes have multiple impacts on human-environment systems. 2. Due to their high grade of specialisation, regional/local scale human-environment systems in threshold regions are especially vulnerable and therefore provide perfect indicators for the analysis and evaluation of Global Change impacts. 3. The scenarios of all potential future developments can be investigated best by applying an open risk concept. 4. Risk concepts provide integrative approaches as a basis for the development of sustainable solutions, adapting to Global Change impacts on regional/local scales. Global change, understood as a summarising term for Global Climate Change, Globalisation and, though not mentioned in the figure, global resource scarcity as major global drivers, all three inseparably connected by manifold interactions, feedbacks and implications for human-environment systems, constitutes the research interest (outermost ring in fig. 1).. Downscaled to regional and local levels, these globally acting driving forces will interact with regional/local drivers of change, e.g. demographic processes and economic behaviour, and will be particularly pronounced in human-environment systems which i) are highly specialised and ii) are characterised by specific and spatially intensive variability of the governing driving forces, e.g. mountain regions. On the one hand, regional/local human environment systems are intrinsically tied together, on the other hand they are understood as open systems in the sense that they interact with the environment they are embedded in through the exchange of matter, energy and information (second ring in fig. 1). Distinct research is carried out in four research fields that originate from traditional local research foci and strengths as well as from a fruitful future-oriented discussion process during the concept creation period (third ring in fig. 1). The fields are: 1. Urban and Regional Studies 2. Development Research 3. Geo-Ecosystem Research 4. Natural Hazard Research Knoll, Christian Kringer, Korbinian Marchant, Carla Novira, Nina Nurhadi, Nurhadi Rainer, Gerhard Suarma, Utia MEC S&E DR DR DR DR DR LiDAR GD TA Human Geography AM&EM SR DR LiDAR Research Group Geography and its Didactics Tyrol Atlas Amentity Migration and Ethnic Minorities Sustainability Research Development Research Fig. 1: Structural diagram of the Research Centre Global Change Regional Sustainability As the Innsbruck Concept of Geography is based on a systems-oriented approach, research activities focus on the complex interplay of impulses, reactions and feedbacks. Even when those four research fields in general and the respective research project in particular may be more classically attributed to either natural spheres or anthropospheres at first, it is the overall aim to include aspects of the opposite side, finally trying to understand the human-environment relationships within the system under observation in a better way. 18 19