Dr. rer. nat. Nicole Aeschbach
Senior Scientist in the 3DGeo Research Group at the Institute of Geography and a Research Fellow at the Heidelberg School of Education, HCE member since 2011.
As a Senior Scientist in the 3DGeo Research Group at the Institute of Geography and a Research Fellow at the Heidelberg School of Education – a joint institution of Heidelberg University and Heidelberg University of Education – I focus on innovatively linking research and teaching in the fields of climate change and sustainability.
My work centers on exploring key questions, such as:
- How can we effectively identify and integrate relevant perspectives and expertise from academia and practice into transdisciplinary research settings?
- What methodological approaches are best suited to synthesize diverse bodies of knowledge?
- How can individuals and societal actors be empowered to develop future-oriented, science-based solutions to tackle pressing challenges?
- Which transformative competences are particularly effective in learning and communication settings in the context of climate action?
- How can digitalization and AI-based tools in teaching enhance engagement and support transformative learning processes?
- In what ways can transformative literacy be effectively linked with subject-specific expertise to equip learners with the skills needed for critical reflection and impactful action?
Why I joined the HCE
I had the privilege of accompanying the HCE already during its pre-foundation phase and served as its Executive Director from its establishment in July 2011 until March 2017.
My highlights so far
Among the many enriching experiences I have had through collaborative research and teaching initiatives at the HCE, my recent involvement in the Sustainability Think Tank stands out. As a member of the plenary and the working group on teaching, I actively contributed to the participatory process of preparing Heidelberg University’s sustainability strategy. This experience reinforced my belief in the transformative potential of well-coordinated participatory formats as powerful tools for addressing complex challenges. It highlighted the importance of collaboration and collective action in shaping sustainable solutions and driving institutional change.
My key partners
The foundation of my research and teaching lies in the 3DGeo Research Group and the Heidelberg School of Education (HSE), where cutting-edge subject-specific research is seamlessly combined with excellent conditions for experimental and innovative teaching. One of my key research areas in recent years has been the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from work-related air travel. In this context, I have established significant partnerships with the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (ifeu) in Heidelberg, ETH Zurich (Switzerland), TU Graz (Austria), and many other universities and research institutions collaborating in our FlyingLess project. In the field of education, I greatly benefit from the strong link the HSE creates between Heidelberg University and Heidelberg University of Education, as well as from the expertise of the Teaching and Learning Division at the heiSKILLS Centre. These partnerships have been particularly valuable in my work on integrating digitalization and the use of AI in teaching, such as through projects like bwGPT and collaborations within the University Network Digitalization of Teaching BW. I am also part of the FutureMINT community BW through our project Transformative Environmental Research. As a member of the HCE since 2011, I have also had the privilege of collaborating with numerous HCE members across almost all the disciplines represented in the center.