About the ECH
The Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) connects faculties and scientific disciplines at the University of Vienna and beyond. It fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange to tackle the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution – supporting innovative research and transformative solutions.
Our Mission
Addressing the urgent triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution requires input from all fields of research, and outreach to diverse stakeholders in society. The Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) was founded by the University of Vienna in 2022, with the mission to create innovative environmental and climate insights at the frontiers and intersections of disciplines and to inform solutions for the pressing environmental problems of today and tomorrow.
The ECH achieves this by providing a hub for exchange, cooperation, seedcorn funding, training, and outreach. With its excellent scientists, strong institutional foundations, and extensive network at the University of Vienna and beyond, the ECH is a key player and cooperation partner for research institutions, decision-makers, the media, and societal stakeholders working together to address the triple crisis.

Our Vision
The Environment and Climate Research Hub promotes both blue-sky and impactful research to transcend boundaries of scientific disciplines and support the emergence of novel solutions.
Through excellent research and by supporting and training scientists, building cooperations with societal stakeholders, and engagement with the public, the ECH enables new societal narratives and actions to shape our common and sustainable future.

Our Goals
The Environment and Climate Research Hub is a catalyst for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary, and actionable research. It enables its members to join efforts across fields and to create innovative scientific insights that lead to new solutions and shape the discourse on how to address the multifaceted crisis we are facing while exploring new perspectives. The Hub is a leading center for environmental and climate research.
The ECH identifies pivotal stakeholders beyond the scientific community to connect research and application and to shape our common future. It strives to impact society beyond the boundaries of science and trains the next generation of leading researchers and decision makers in politics and society.

Meet our Team
At the heart of the Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) is a dedicated core team—a diverse group of passionate professionals driving collaboration, innovation, and impact. With expertise spanning research, engagement, and operations, the core team ensures that ECH remains a dynamic space for knowledge exchange and action. Together, we build bridges between science and society to shape a more sustainable future.
Senior Coordinators

Events, Capacity Building and Operations
E-Mail
+43-1-4277-69411

Communication, Press and Media Relations
E-Mail
+43-1-4277-69412
Management Board

Manuela Baccarini is Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs

Ulrike Felt is Professor of Science and Technology Studies

Gerhard Herndl is Professor Emeritus of Marine Biology

Andreas Stohl is Professor of General Meteorology

Alice Vadrot is Professor of International Relations and the Environment