On 1 March 2024, the jointly organised SPI-AWI workshop reflected the rich collaboration between AWI- and Swiss-based scientists. Various presentations focused on current and future joint projects in polar regions. The online workshop concluded with a dynamic discussion about future collaboration opportunities in Antarctica.
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Swiss Polar Institute (SPI) and the Alfred-Wegener-Institut (AWI) in late 2022, this workshop aimed at outlining future collaboration opportunities and brought together thirty-nine scientists from AWI and various research and academic institutions across Switzerland. AWI Director Antje Boetius and SPI Director Danièle Rod introduced the session together and highlighted the ongoing cooperation in Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Both institutions also communicated on their respective portfolios of activities and infrastructure that can support joint projects. The wide range of presented research projects, from ice cores to microplastics, showed the richness of ongoing collaborations. The workshop provided a foundation for developing future synergies in polar research and in contributing to a global understanding of climate change processes.
Photo credits: © 2024, AWI/SPI