About ECH

The ECH bridges faculties and scientific disciplines at the University of Vienna and beyond to provide space and support for researchers to collaborate and exchange knowledge in order to better understand the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and to enable the development of novel 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, seecorn 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.

“Solutions lie in our research and expertise because we do not just answer pressing climate and environmental questions one-sidedly, but from the perspective of many disciplines.”

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

Microscope

Research

Impact Icon

Impact

Capactiy Icon

Capacity

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

Directors

Thilo Hofmann

Thilo Hofmann

Thilo Hofmann is Professor of Environmental Geosciences

Main research areas:

Contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic and terrestrial systems, Groundwater modelling, Nanoparticles, Plastic pollutio

Sabine Pahl

Sabine Pahl

Sabine Pahl is Professor of Environmental Psychology

Main research areas:

Human Dimension of Environmental Issues, Plastic and Chemical Pollution, Microplastics, Risk Perception and Communication, Social Influence, Behaviour Change

Coordinators

Timo Bühler

Timo Bühler

Operations and Capacity Building

Nora Gau

Nora Gau

Communication, Press and Media Relations

Gemma Carr

Research Facilitation

Student Staff

Lena Schmidlechner

Lena Schmidlechner

Communication Support

Elias Ertschnig

Event Support

Management Board

Baccarini_Manuela

Manuela Baccarini

Manuela Baccarini is Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs

Felt_Ulrike

Ulrike Felt

Ulrike Felt is Professor of Science and Technology Studies

E-Mail

Herndl_Gerhard

Gerhard Herndl

Gerhard Herndl is Professor Emeritus of Marine Biology

Stohl_Andreas

Andreas Stohl

Andreas Stohl is Professor of General Meteorology

Vadrot_Alice

Alice Vadrot

Alice Vadrot is Associate Professor of International Relations and the Environment

Get in Touch With Us

General Requests and Cooperations

Timo Bühler

Timo Bühler

University of Vienna
Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH)
Staircase A, Floor 5, Room A5.23.5
Augasse 2-6
1090 Vienna
Austria
Phone: +43-1-4277-69411
E-Mail: ech@univie.ac.at

Press and Media Relations

Nora Gau

Nora Gau

University of Vienna
Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH)
Staircase A, Floor 5, Room A5.23.5
Augasse 2-6
1090 Vienna
Austria
Phone: +43-1-4277-69412
E-Mail: ech@univie.ac.at