idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Every two years, the international research network Baltic Earth organizes a conference in a Baltic Sea coastal state, bringing together scientists working on a wide range of topics related to the Baltic Sea region. This year, the conference is held in Heringsdorf on the island of Usedom, Germany, from April 13 – 17, 2026, and co-organized by the International Baltic Earth Secretariat at the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) and Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences (IOPAN).The conference has been endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Activity, highlighting its role in advancing ocean science and supporting sustainable solutions for the marine environment.
The Baltic Earth research network and its role for the Baltic Sea
The Baltic Earth research network strives to improve the Earth system understanding of the Baltic Sea region. It, thereby, provides a scientific basis for management decisions related to climate change, environmental pressures, and human impacts and resulting challenges in the region. The heart of Baltic Earth lies in fostering international collaborations and promoting exchange between different scientific disciplines. Furthermore, the Baltic Earth Conference focuses on promoting early-career researchers accounting for approximately one third of the ca. 130 participants at this year’s conference. A special networking event for early-career researchers will be organized and the best oral and poster presentation by an early-career researcher will be awarded. Since the beginning of 2025, the International Baltic Earth Secretariat is shared between IOW and IOPAN.
Conference sessions reflect current Baltic Sea research
The ten conference sessions span a variety of Baltic Sea topics, ranging from climate variability to biogeochemistry, policymaking and philosophy. Furthermore, this year, one session is dedicated to optical properties of the Baltic Sea and related methods like remote sensing and numerical modelling. According to Markus Meier, physical oceanographer at IOW and chair of the Baltic Earth Science Steering Group, the Baltic Earth Conference is a great opportunity to learn about the latest developments in Baltic Sea research and to connect with international scientists. In total, 64 scientific talks will be given and 56 posters will be presented during the conference. Furthermore, five invited keynote speakers will give an insight into their work and research area. Among these keynote speakers is Rüdiger Strempel, Executive Secretary of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission HELCOM. Together with HELCOM, Baltic Earth publishes the Climate Change Fact Sheet.
Getting to know the local culture
One important aspect of Baltic Earth Conferences is experiencing the local culture of the host country. This year, the cultural program will contain a performance by the Shanty Choir Usedom and a guided excursion in Heringsdorf. At the end of the conference, the venue for the next Baltic Earth conference in 2028 will be announced.
IOW Media contact
Dr. Sonja Ehlers | Tel.: +49 381 5197 109 | presse@iow.de
IOPAN Media contact
Dr. Agnieszka Jędruch | Tel. +48 58 73 11 931 | ajedruch@iopan.pl
About the organizing institutions
The Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) investigates natural and anthropogenic changes in coastal and marginal seas using a system-wide and interdisciplinary approach, ranging from fundamental to applied research. The Baltic Sea serves as an ideal case study on the institute's doorstep. An important mission of the IOW is to engage in knowledge-based dialogue with policy-makers, stakeholders, and society, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of coastal seas. www.iow.de
The Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IOPAN, www.iopan.pl) is a leading Polish research institute dedicated to the study of marine environments, with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea and the European Arctic. The institute conducts interdisciplinary research on ocean processes and their response to natural and anthropogenic change. Its research covers topics including the role of the ocean in climate systems, variability of the Baltic Sea environment, changes in coastal and shelf ecosystems, and the functioning and adaptation of marine organisms.
Prof. Dr. Markus Meier | Tel.: +49 381 5197 150 | Email: markus.meier@iow.de
Criteria of this press release:
Journalists, Scientists and scholars, Students
Environment / ecology, Geosciences, Oceanology / climate
transregional, national
Scientific conferences
English
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