Kiel University launches new marine research hub

• Closer integration of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary marine research at Kiel University
• Efficient networking of researchers, working groups, laboratories and administration units in a modern working environment spanning 1,600 square meters, accomodating up to 150 people
• A new focal hub for the scientific quarter in the Kiel Science Park

With the move to the Oskar-Heil-Haus, Kiel University‘s Priority Research Area Kiel Marine Science (KMS) will have a new campus dedicated to interdisciplinary research at the interface with society. The new Marine Science Campus will be inaugurated 12th February by Daniel Günther, Minister-President of Schleswig-Holstein, Guido Wendt, State Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Research of Schleswig-Holstein, Dr. Ulf Kämpfer, Mayor of Kiel, and about 100 invited guests from science, politics and society.

Modern campus for interdisciplinary marine research

The Marine Science Campus will host a variety of marine research groups, including the Kiel Marine Science (KMS) head office, the FYORD program for early career researchers, KMS's Center for Ocean and Society, and the Digital Office of Kiel University. These groups will benefit from a modern working and research environment, with dedicated spaces for public and internal events.

"The Marine Science Campus offers excellent support for our priority research area, which adresses the societal challenges of our time through interdisciplinary and cross-faculty collaboration – perfectly aligning with CAU's mission as Schleswig-Holstein‘s only comprehensive university. The Digital Office, moving onto the campus, will play a crucial role in driving forward the university’s development and competitiveness“, emphasizes Professor Dr. Eckhard Quandt, Vice President of Kiel University for Research, Scientific Infrastructure and Transfer, at the official opening ceremony.

Networking of marine working groups and new laboratories

Core research topics covered by the marine science groups include coastal risks and sea level rise, coastal ecology in the North and Baltic Seas, marine natural hazards, food security from the sea, innovations in blue bioeconomy, sustainable management of marine resources, cutting-edge remote sensing methods, and transdisciplinary work with non-academic stakeholders. These areas are now more closely integrated within the Marine Science Campus. Additionally, two laboratories — the VAMPIR calibration lab for coastal sensing of the working group EOM (Earth Observation and Modeling) and the cabuff at CeOS visualization lab — have moved to the new campus providing state-of-the-art facilities for marine research at CAU. During the opening event, the working groups will showcase their current projects, and the university’s involvement in major collaborative projects like the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM), the Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity (ANK), and numerous international consortia.

"With the Marine Science Campus, we can now take a strategic leap forward in marine research at Kiel University. It will allow us to conduct interdisciplinary research, strengthen cross-disciplinary networking, and create opportunities for the next generation of researchers," explains KMS Director Professor Dr. Sebastian Krastel from the Institute of Geosciences at CAU. "The Marine Science Campus is intended to have an impact on both science and society. With our representative event spaces and the opportunities for creative work, we are creating the ideal conditions for exchange and transfer," Krastel continues.

New campus supports the transfer of knowledge to society

In the future, the Marine Science Campus will offer networking events, lectures, and workshops focused on the seas and oceans with the aim of making scientific insights more accessible to the public. Three seminar rooms of varying sizes as well as a smaller creative space, will be available for these activities. One of the highlights of the spatial concept is the Open Space, which fosters collaboration beyond individual office areas. Additionally, flexible desk-sharing options are available for visiting researchers and project teams needing temporary workspaces.

The planning of the Marine Science Campus was carried out by CAU’s Facility Management Department. From the university board’s decision to bring together marine research groups and administrative units at one location to the first teams moving in, it took only one year—beginning in November 2024. “The new Marine Science Campus meets the growing space requirements of marine research, while providing the flexibility necessary for evolving projects and the desire for interconnected, modern work environments. We are also testing new approaches to space utilization with the 'New Work' concept, which could serve as a model for the entire CAU,” explains Dr. Uwe Pfründer, Head of Facility Management at Kiel University.

About the Core Areas of the Marine Science Campus

In 2020, KMS and AEF jointly established the Center for Ocean and Society (CeOS) to strengthen research activities on the interaction between the ocean and society. An essential component of this is the involvement of societal stakeholders in research projects. CeOS has played a major role in the development of the Marine Science Campus and is now the largest scientific group on the campus. "We are very excited about our new facilities and the opportunities the Marine Science Campus offers for our interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research," says Director Professor Dr. Marie-Catherine Riekhof.

Since May 2024, the Digital Office has been driving the strategic development and implementation of the CAU's digital strategy as a newly established central unit. As a university-wide hub, it collaborates closely with all CAU institutions in research, teaching, and administration that are involved in digital transformation. "Our goal is to shape this challenging transformation process at the university holistically, future-oriented, and collaboratively. The Marine Science Campus offers the ideal infrastructure to support this mission," says Dr. Veronika Penner, Chief Digital Officer of Kiel University. Currently, a large part of the team focuses on optimizing digital processes within the so called Student Life Cycle, from application and enrollment to exams, certificates, and graduation. In the future, the Digital Office will increasingly drive the digitalisation CAU’s core and support processes across all areas, including research.

This article was first published on 12 February by Kiel University.