The Institute of Applied Mathematics at Leibniz University Hannover and the non-profit Foundation for Mathematics and the Environment (Chairman Prof. Dr. Ernst P. Stephan) (link target only available in German language) successfully held the 1st Workshop on Mathematics and Environmental Topics on 12th and 13th June at the Leibniz House. The local organisation was led by Prof. Dr. Thomas Wick and his research group.
Mathematics is a vital key to addressing global environmental crises, such as climate change, and understanding ecological processes, thereby supporting sustainable decision-making. A group of nearly 30 mathematicians from across Germany presented lectures, discussed and forged new connections regarding the modelling, numerical solutions, and simulations of tipping points, tsunamis, sea ice melt, and other topics. In this program, two scientifically excellent plenary lectures were given by Prof. Dr. Jörn Behrens (Hamburg) and Associate Professor Dr. Lothar Banz (Salzburg).
A highlight of the event was the inaugural awarding of the Ernst Peter Stephan Awards by the Foundation for Mathematics and the Environment, each endowed with €2000. Three awardees were honoured for outstanding mathematical achievements in environmental topics: Dr. Caroline Mehlmann (Magdeburg), J.-Prof. Dr. Hennes Hajduk (Dortmund), and Prof. Dr. Christian Kühn (Munich).
In 2025, the non-profit Foundation for Mathematics and the Environment was established by LUH Professor (retired) Prof. Dr. Ernst Peter Stephan and his wife Karin Sabine Stephan, who hails from Hannover.
The foundation aims to inspire, provide impetus, encourage collaboration, and recognise exceptional mathematical achievements in environmental topics. Another goal is to highlight more clearly the contributions of mathematics to environmental issues, thereby attracting new talent to the field.
The two founders of the foundation are grateful to LUH and to the Institute of Applied Mathematics with Prof. Dr. Thomas Wick for hosting the workshop in Hannover. Former doctoral students also enjoyed visiting.
The next meeting of the participants is scheduled for March 2027 at the GAMM-DMV Conference in Ulm.
