Prof. Dr. Helga Weisz

FutureLab Leader
Weisz

I have a background in molecular biology (Mag. rer. nat. from the University of Vienna 1995), cultural studies (Dr. phil. from Humboldt University Berlin, 2002) and social ecology (venia docendi from the University of Klagenfurt, 2006). My research focuses on the socially organized extraction of raw materials and energy, its transformation into goods and services, its use and final disposal to the environment as waste, emissions and heat, which collectively define the social metabolism. Transforming the industrial metabolism to reduce its environmental and resource impacts, while maintaining its function for human well-being, is a crucial challenge for sustainability. Currently demographic, distributional, health and power implications in various socio-metabolic settings are at the center of my research.

Department

FutureLab / Science Unit

Contact

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
T +49 (0)331 288 2494
Helga.Weisz[at]pik-potsdam.de
P.O. Box 60 12 03
14412 Potsdam

ORCID

Affiliations

Humboldt University Berlin: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Professor of Industrial Ecology and Climate Change

Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Anne Welle
Tel: +49(0)331 288-2602
E-Mail: annemarie.welle[at]pik-potsdam.de

Acadamic Background

2006 Venia Docendi (Habilitation) in Social Ecology, Alpen-Adria University.
2002  Doctor phil. in Cultural Studies, Kulturwissenschaftliches Seminar, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin.
1995 Magister rer. nat. in Microbiology, Institut für physikalische Chemie, Universität Wien.

Past Positions

  • Co-chair of PIK research domain II: Climate impacts & vulnerability (2009-2012)
  • Guest professor School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University (2008)
  • Guest professor University St. Gallen (2007, 2009, 2011)
  • Associate Professor for socio-ecological sustainability science, Institute of Social Ecology, Alpen-Adria University, Vienna (IFF-Vienna). (2006-2009)
  • Assistant Professor, IFF-Vienna (2002-2006)
  • Research fellow and lecturer, IFF-Vienna (1995-2002)
  • Free lance research assistant, IFF-Vienna, (1991 – 1995)

Please find a current list of my publications on researchgate or google scholar.

Winter term 2017/2018

Überfluss und Knappheit: Welternährung aus kultureller und sozial-ökologischer Perspektive

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Kultur-, Sozial- und Bildungswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Institut für Kulturwissenschaft

Umweltdiskurse

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Kultur-, Sozial- und Bildungswissenschaftliche Fakultät, Institut für Kulturwissenschaft

Summer term 2016

Luhmann lesen - Lektürekurs: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Kulturwissenschaft und Institut für Sozialwissenschaften.

Winter term 2015/2016

Biologische und kulturelle Evolution: Von Darwin zu Luhmann, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Kulturwissenschaft und Institut für Sozialwissenschaften.

Summer term 2015

Energie, Gesellschaft, Geschichte, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Kulturwissenschaft und Institut für Sozialwissenschaften.

Beratungskompetenz als Komplementärkompetenz für Nachhaltigkeitswissenschaftler, Alpen-Adria Universität, Institut für Soziale Ökologie, IFF-Wien, 26./27.3. und 19./20.5.2015

Summer term 2013

Sustainable Cities: an Oxymoron? Guest lecture at the Institute for Social Ecology, Alpen-Adria University, Schottenfeldgasse 29, 1070 Vienna: 29.4. 2013, 18:00 -20:00.

Sustainable and Low Carbon Urban systems. Sommerakademie der Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes. 11. – 24. 8. 2013, Leysin, Schweiz (together with Felix Creutzig, MCC).