Boost for marine research German Marine Research Alliance with the participation of the Coastal Research Centre receives top marks

Joint press release by Technical University of Braunschweig and Leibniz University Hannover

The German Marine Research Alliance (DAM) has established itself as a centre of excellence and central platform for marine research in Germany – this has been confirmed by an independent evaluation commission with a consistently positive assessment. A decisive factor in this success is the participation of leading scientific institutions such as the Coastal Research Centre (FZK) at Technical University of Braunschweig and Leibniz University Hannover, which make a significant contribution to the success of the DAM’s research missions. The focus is on one thing above all: providing practical knowledge for the protection of our oceans and coasts.

“An example of the unique impact that the networked, bundled and mutually beneficial cooperation between the institutions of the German Marine Research Alliance can have is the current research on the effects of intensive use of the North Sea, for example for wind energy, as part of the “sustainMare” mission. A challenging social task such as generating climate-neutral energy at sea requires sound practical knowledge for policymakers. Balanced answers to our pressing questions can only be found through cooperation between the natural sciences, social sciences and engineering,” says Professor Nils Goseberg, current head of the Coastal Research Centre and managing director of the Leichtweiß Institute for Hydraulic Engineering at TU Braunschweig.

Socially relevant research to protect people and the environment

Since 2020, the Coastal Research Centre has been contributing its special expertise in coastal engineering to the alliance with a unique research infrastructure. In addition to the Large Wave Flows Channel (GWK+), the FZK will operate small and medium-sized wave channels and basins as well as test facilities relevant to coastal research.

Scientists in Braunschweig and Hannover are researching sustainable coastal protection, storm surges and tsunamis, and offshore wind energy, to name but a few. In times of increasing extreme weather events, rising sea levels and growing pressure on coastal areas, this research provides practical knowledge to society that will make coastlines safer.

Participation in DAM research missions

The Coastal Research Centre is involved in all three major research missions of the German Marine Research Alliance. The research ranges from sustainable use of marine resources in the North and Baltic Seas to risk management for marine extreme events and the role of the sea as a carbon sink.

Professor Torsten Schlurmann from Leibniz University Hannover explains his institute’s contribution to the research activities: “The Ludwig Franzius Institute for Hydraulic Engineering, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering is funded in all three DAM research missions and contributes the engineering perspective to marine and coastal research. As spokesperson for the DAM research mission mareXtreme, I would like to contribute with my team to improved risk management in the field of marine extreme events and natural hazards, and to promote the transfer of knowledge and technology to local authorities on the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Aegean coasts.”

The Leichtweiß Institute for Hydraulic Engineering at Technical University of Braunschweig is coordinating the joint project “MetaScales” within the “mareXtreme” mission. The aim is to better understand the risks posed by storm surges and floods, to study their long-term effects on marine ecosystems and coastal communities, and to develop adapted coastal protection systems and improve risk management. This knowledge will be of direct benefit to communities and coastal dwellers, providing concrete options for action for policy makers and disaster management authorities.

Sustainable marine research with strong stakeholders

The DAM was founded in 2019 by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) together with the five North German coastal states. The aim is to strategically network German marine research and make it more visible internationally. The now published evaluation underlines that this has been achieved at an impressive pace and that the increased pooling of expertise is proving successful. The alliance is recognised as a central platform for German marine research with a unique position in the German research landscape.