A success story: 20 years of the Wegener Centre at the University of Graz
Monday, 06 October 2025, Spotlight 1
The team of the Wegener Center at the University of Graz: Working together to find solutions to the challenges of the future. Photo: University of Graz / cp-pictures
Paths emerge in that we walk them. In line with this motto, more than 70 scientists from the fields of geophysics, climate physics, meteorology, economics, transition research, geography and regional studies are conducting research at the Wegener Center of the University of Graz. What unites them is their expertise and commitment to slowing down climate change, developing strategies for adapting to changing environmental conditions and successfully managing the transition to a low-carbon future. On 3 October 2025, the Wegener Center celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Founded in 2005 on the initiative of geophysicist Gottfried Kirchengast as an interdisciplinary, internationally oriented research centre, the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change at the University of Graz has an excellent network. Its numerous cooperation partners include institutions such as ESA and NASA, the World Bank and the WHO. Researchers from the Wegener Center are also among the authors of the Assessment Report of the IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
On 3 October 2025, celebrations were held in the auditorium of the University of Graz: in the afternoon with presentations of current research – to listen to, ask questions and join in the discussion – and in the evening with a festive event. Among those offering their congratulations was Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who sent a video message.
Rector Peter Riedler (center) and Martin Polaschek (left), former Minister of Science, offered their congratulations on the anniversary. Karl Steininger (right) was a founding member of the Wegener Center and has headed the institution since 2023.
With a personal touch and humor, Gottfried Kirchengast outlined the history of the Wegener Center – from his own initial ideas for its founding in the 1990s to the present day, with an outlook for the future.
Gabi Hegerl, climate researcher at the University of Edinburgh, showed in her keynote speech that man-made climate change can be scientifically proven beyond doubt, emphasising the importance of research at the Wegener Center.
Praise for the research and social commitment of the Wegener Center: German climate researcher Daniela Jacob, Thomas Hlatky from GRAWE Insurance, and postdoc Nina Knittel.
Let's get loud for climate protection: The dance ensemble of the Graz Music High School Dreihackengasse, directed by Pamina Plauder, set the mood with their performance.
The art of language as an appeal: In his poetry slam “Fisch verliebt” (Fish in Love), Christoph Steiner addressed the issue of plastic in the sea.
