Dr. Nicole Aeschbach

Dr. Nicole Aeschbach is a Senior Scientist in the 3D Geospatial Data Processing (3DGeo) Research Group. Her research and teaching interests lie in the fields of environmental and climate change, and on sustainability as a cross-cutting issue. She designs and implements research-based, participatory teaching and learning settings within the geography degree programmes and at the Heidelberg School of Education (HSE). Her research at the interface of science and society focuses on the climate crisis, in particular on issues of mitigation, i.e. the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions ("climate action"). As a geographer, Nicole Aeschbach is driven by the guiding principle of #grandchallenges #smartsolutions: She combines approaches from the natural and technical sciences with the social sciences and humanities, brings together perspectives from academia and practice, and designs future-oriented university teaching.

Current activities

• since April 2024: senior scientist in the 3D Geospatial Data Processing (3DGeo) Research Group at the Institute of Geography at Heidelberg University
• since October 2021: research assistant at the Heidelberg School of Education: development and implementation of innovative digital teaching/learning programmes for future teachers, including as part of the additional qualification in sustainability

Commitment at Heidelberg University

• Member of the plenum and the teaching working group of the Sustainability Think Tank for the development of the university’s sustainability strategy
• Member of the sustainability working group as part of the Excellence Strategy
• Founding member of the Heidelberg Center for the Environment (HCE)

Awards

• 2023: Fellowship for digital university teaching, awarded by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (MWK) Baden-Württemberg and Stifterverband: Project "Klimaphysik meets BNE. A research-oriented hybrid module for future teachers” at the Heidelberg School of Education (HSE) together with Prof. Dr. Werner Aeschbach (Institute of Environmental Physics, Heidelberg University)
• 2020: Prize for Digital Teaching of the University of Heidelberg for the seminar “KlimaWandelWissen”

Career history

• since June 2019: examination authorisation for the Master of Education Geography study programme
• October 2018 – December 2023: academic assistant at the Institute of Geography at Heidelberg University: Head of the TdLab Geography
• October 2018: foundation of the TdLab Geography
• 2018–2021: freelance work for the mobility platform of ETH Zurich
• April – December 2017: ETH Zürich, Departementskoordinatorin Umwelt¬system-wissenschaften (D-USYS)
• since 2012: examination authorisation for the Bachelor and Master of Science Geography degree programmes, Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University
• since its foundation in July 2011: personal member of the Heidelberg Centre for the Environment (HCE), Heidelberg University
• 2011–2017: administrative director of the Heidelberg Centre for the Environment (HCE), Heidelberg University
• 2010–2012: coordination of the interdisciplinary project network "Global Change and Globalization" at the University of Heidelberg
• 2011: staff member in the office of the CellNetworks cluster (life sciences) at Heidelberg University
• 2010–2017: academic assistant at Heidelberg University
• 2010: doctorate at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Heidelberg University with a topic in the field of paleoclimate research
• 2009: staff member at the graduate school "HGS MathComp" at Heidelberg University
• 2005–2010: academic assistant at the Radiometry Research Centre of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities
• 2005: Diploma in Geography at Heidelberg University after studying Geography with a minor in Geosciences and Biology at the University of Mannheim, Heidelberg University and ETH Zurich
• 2002–2010: managing director of the "Heidelberg Biennale for Contemporary Music", based at the Musicology Department of Heidelberg University
• seit 1995: music journalist, introductory lectures and moderations for various organisers, including the German State Philharmonic Orchestra of Rhineland-Palatinate in Ludwigshafen am Rhein

Current Projects

Environment-friendly Business Travel Management at Universities and Research Institutions (FlyingLess)

Joint project of ifeu Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung gGmbH, Heidelberg and TdLab Geographie, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) with funds from the National Initiative for Climate Action
Website

Climate physics meets ESD: A research-oriented hybrid module for future teachers

A blended learning module on climate change and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD): Dr. Nicole Aeschbach and Prof. Dr. Werner Aeschbach funded as tandem fellows for digital university teaching by the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (MWK) Baden-Württemberg und Stifterverband
Project website (Heidelberg School of Education HSE)

Heat Adaptation for Vulnerable Population Groups (HEAL)

Joint project with the Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology (HeiGIT) and the GIScience research group. The project is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Foundation as part of the research programme "Innovations for Adaptation to Climate Change".
Project website

Teaching

Publications

• Foshag, K., J. Fürle, C. Ludwig, J. Fallmann, S. Lautenbach, S. Rupp, P. Burst, M. Betsch, A. Zipf, N. Aeschbach, 2024. How to assess the needs of vulnerable population groups towards heat-sensitive routing? An evidence-based and practical approach to reducing urban heat stress. ERDKUNDE, Vol. 78, No. 1: 1–33. https://doi.org/10.3112/erdkunde.2024.01.01.
• Aeschbach, N., D. Röck, K. Foshag, E. Engelhardt, L. Mosmann, W. Aeschbach (2023). Climate Physics meets Education for Sustainable Development – How to address wicked problems through blended learning. HINT. Heidelberg Inspirations for Innovative Teaching. Bd. 4/2023: 47–71. https://doi.org/10.11588/hint.2023.1.101927
• Brandenstein, N., K., Ackermann, N. Aeschbach, J. Rummel, 2023. The key determinants of individual greenhouse gas emissions in Germany are mostly domain-specific. Nature Portfolio Journal Communications Earth & Environment 4, 422 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01092-x
• Görlinger, S., C. Merrem, M. Jungmann, N. Aeschbach, 2023. An evidence-based approach to accelerate flight reduction in academia. npj Climate Action, 2, 41. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-023-00069-y
• Aeschbach, N., W. Aeschbach, 2023. Klimaphysik und Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung. Geographische Rundschau 7/8-2023:65.
• Aeschbach, W., N. Aeschbach, 2023. Physikalische Grundlagen des Klimawandels, In: Nikendei, C., T.J. Bugai, A. Cranz, A. Herrmann, J. Tabatabai, Heidelberger Standards der Klimamedizin – Wissen und Handlungsstrategien für den klinischen Alltag und die medizinische Lehre im Klimawandel, 1. Auflage, 2023, HeiCuMed, Medizinische Fakultät Heidelberg: 3–9. ISBN 978-3-00-074681-9.
• Aeschbach, N., 2023. Navigation für zukunftsorientiertes Lernen. Digitale Literalität im OECD-Lernkompass 2030. Unterricht Biologie Nr. 481/2023: 44–45. Link zum Beitrag
• Foshag, K., K. Vogt, S. Ebenhoch, N. Aeschbach, 2022. How transdisciplinary projects can contribute to climate-friendly mobility in cities. TdLab Geographie – Discussion Paper No. 1. Heidelberg University. pp. 19. DOI: 10.11588/heidok.00032531. Download
• Platt, U., N. Frank, N. Aeschbach, S. Harnisch, S. Wurster, 2022. Klimawandel. In: Meier, T., F. Keppler, U. Mager, U. Platt, F. Reents (Hg.). Umwelt interdisziplinär Grundlagen – Konzepte – Handlungsfelder. Heidelberg University Publishing. Link zum Beitrag
• Jungmann, M., S.N. Vardag, F. Kutzner, F. Keppler, M. Schmidt, N. Aeschbach, U. Gerhard, A. Zipf, S. Lautenbach, A. Siegmund, T. Goeschl, A. Butz, 2022. Zooming-in for climate action – hyperlocal greenhouse gas data for mitigation action? Climate Action 1:8 https://doi.org/10.1007/s44168-022-00007-4
• Kluge, T., A. Schröder-Ritzrau, D. Schäfer, N. Aeschbach, M. Haun, M. Bobrowski, A. Straub, T. Weißbach, C. Scholz, R. Eichstädter, R. Mertz, M. Schmidt, E. Eiche, N. Frank, 2022. Tropfsteine des Eberstadter Höhlensystems – Einblick in vergangene Warmzeiten. Laichinger Höhlenfreund, 56. Jahrgang: 3 –18. Link zum Beitrag
• Aeschbach, N., 2021. Innovationsschub für das „KlimaWandelWissen“. Vom analogen Lehren zum digitalen Lernen in der Geographie. HINT. Heidelberg Inspirations for Innovative Teaching. Bd. 2/2021: 119–145. https://doi.org/10.11588/hint.2021.1
• Aeschbach, N., S. Görlinger, 2021. Eine neue Art von Nähe. Impulse aus der Corona-Krise: Mehr Nachhaltigkeit im Wissenschaftsbetrieb. Weiterbildung, 5/2021: 5-13.
  
• Klonner, C., T.J. Usón, N. Aeschbach, B. Höfle, 2020. Participatory Mapping and Visualization of Local Knowledge: An Example from Eberbach, Germany. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science.
  https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-020-00312-8
• Aeschbach, N., C. Merrem, S. Görlinger, 2020. Eine neue Art von Nähe. Impulse aus den Erfahrungen während der Corona-Krise für mehr Nachhaltigkeit im internationalen Wissenschaftsbetrieb. Extended Abstract. Dokumentation des Online-Symposiums „COVID-19 als Zäsur? Geographische Perspektiven auf Räume, Gesellschaften und Technologien in der Pandemie“ (06. – 08.07.2020). Link zum Beitrag
• Foshag, K., N. Aeschbach, B. Höfle, R. Winkler, A. Siegmund, W. Aeschbach, 2020. Viability of public spaces in cities under increasing heat: a transdisciplinary approach. Sustainable Cities and Society, Volume 59, August 2020, 102215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2020.102215
• Aeschbach, N., K. Foshag, 2019: Zusammen Wirken. Die Große Transformation. Forschungsmagazin Ruperto Carola No. 15, Universität Heidelberg, Dezember 2019: 52-61.
• Jungmann, M., S. Harnisch, N. Aeschbach, 2019. Was die Wissenschaft tun kann. Gastbeitrag in der Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, 75. Jg., Nr. 275: 2.
• Mrazek, J., A. Siegmund, C. Fischer, N. Aeschbach, 2018. „Nachhaltigkeit lehren lernen“ – Innovative interdisziplinäre Lehr-Lern-Formate in der Lehramtsausbildung an Pädagogischer Hochschule und Universität Heidelberg. In: Leal Filho, W. (Hg.). Nachhaltigkeit in der Lehre, Theorie und Praxis der Nachhaltigkeit. Springer Spektrum, Berlin, Heidelberg.
• Horn, L., N. Aeschbach, 2018. Nachhaltiger Tourismus im deutschen Teil des Biosphärenreservats Pfälzerwald-Nordvogesen: Entwicklung eines Indikatorenkatalogs. Ann. Sci. Rés. Bios. Trans. Vosges du Nord-Pfälzerwald, 19 (2017-2018): 90 - 104.
• Aeschbach, N., P. Frischknecht, M. Stauffacher, 2017. Umweltwissenschaften an der Universität Heidelberg und der ETH Zürich - zwei unterschiedliche Modelle. Gaia 4/2017.
• Schäfer, D., N. Vollweiler, T. Neumann, T. Kluge, 2017. Insights into the 'super'-interglacial MIS 11 from a Central European flowstone. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 19, EGU2017-12180-2.
• Arps J., M. Trüssel, K. Leutz, A. Schröder-Ritzrau, L. Edwards, H. Cheng, P. Zhang, F. Thil, M. Deininger, N. Aeschbach, C. Spötl, J. Fohlmeister, N. Frank, 2017. Centennial Growth Rate Variability of Two Alpine Holocene Speleothems. Goldschmidt2017 Abstract.
• Fohlmeister, J., C. Spötl, B. Plessen, R. Tjallingii, A. Schröder-Ritzrau, N. Frank, J. Arps, K. Leutz, N. Vollweiler, M. Trüssel, 2017. Oxygen isotope fractionation processes in the water-calcite-aragonite system. Geophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 19, EGU2017-6325.
• Glaser, R., N. Vollweiler, 2014. Dem Klima der Vergangenheit auf der Spur. Die wechselvolle Geschichte des Klimas. In: Schenk, G. J., M. Juneja, A. Wieczorek, C. Lind. Mensch. Natur. Katastrophe. Von Atlantis bis heute. Begleitband zur Sonderausstellung der Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen Mannheim. Verlag Schnell und Steiner, 257-259.
• Glaser, R., N. Vollweiler, 2014. Klimawandel. In: Schenk, G. J., M. Juneja, A. Wieczorek, C. Lind. Mensch. Natur. Katastrophe. Von Atlantis bis heute. Begleitband zur Sonderausstellung der Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen Mannheim. Verlag Schnell und Steiner, 242-249.
• Hämmerle, M., B. Höfle, J. Fuchs, A. Schröder-Ritzrau, N. Vollweiler, N. Frank, 2014. Comparison of Kinect and Terrestrial LiDAR Capturing Natural Karst Cave 3D Objects. IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, Vol. 11(11), 1896-1900.
• Fohlmeister, J., N. Vollweiler, C. Spötl, A. Mangini, 2013. COMNISPA II: Update of a mid-European isotope climate record, 11 ka to present. Holocene, 23, 5: 749-754.
• Vollweiler, N., 2010. COMNISPA - ein präzise datiertes Klima-Archiv aus holozänen alpinen Stalagmiten. Dissertation an der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Gesamtfakultät, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg.
• Vollweiler, N., A. Mangini, C. Spötl, D. Scholz, C. Mühlinghaus, 2009. Stalagmites from Spannagel cave (Austria) and holocene climate. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 11, EGU2009-7152.
• Vollweiler, N., A. Mangini, 2007. Blättern im Buch der Klimageschichte, Stalagmiten erzählen spannende Geschichten vom Klimageschehen der letzten Jahrtausende. Forschungszeitschrift "Ruperto Carola" der Universität Heidelberg.
• Mangini, A., P. Verdes, C. Spötl, D. Scholz, N. Vollweiler, B. Kromer, 2007. Persistent influence of the North Atlantic hydrography on central European winter temperature during the last 9000 years. Geophysical Research Letters. 34, 2, L02704.
• Vollweiler, N., D. Scholz, C. Mühlinghaus, A. Mangini, C. Spötl, 2006. A precisely dated climate record for the last 9 kyr from three high alpine stalagmites, Spannagel Cave, Austria. Geophysical Research Letters. 33, 20, L20703.