16th DACH Permafrost Conference
The 16th DACH Permafrost Conference was held from 21–24 January 2026 at the HVHS am Seddiner See near Potsdam, Germany. The conference is the central scientific meeting of the DACH Permafrost Union, a permanent working group of the German Society for Polar Research, and provides an established platform for exchange among researchers working on polar and mountain permafrost.
In total, 101 participants attended the conference, representing eight countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Belgium, France, and Finland. The meeting brought together scientists from across career stages, ranging from students and early-career researchers to senior scientists, and fostered interdisciplinary discussion and networking.
The scientific programme comprised 3 keynote lectures, 31 oral presentations, and 50 poster presentations. Contributions covered a broad range of current topics in permafrost research, including permafrost thaw and associated greenhouse gas emissions, geomorphological processes and infrastructure-related hazards, ecosystem and carbon-cycle feedbacks, as well as advances in monitoring, modelling, and observational networks. Dedicated discussion times during sessions and poster presentations enabled intensive scientific exchange.
The conference was complemented by several pre-conference and side activities, including a PermaCOST pre-conference workshop, a PYRN-DACH–organised Early Career Researcher (ECR) workshop, and a GTN-P workshop. These events provided focused forums for methodological exchange, collaboration, and capacity building, and highlighted the strong commitment of the DACH Permafrost community to international cooperation and early-career support. Selected impressions and group photos are available in the photo section.
Overall, the 16th DACH Permafrost Conference strengthened existing research networks and fostered new collaborations within the European and international permafrost research community. The Book of Abstracts is openly available and also available below.
We thank all participants and supporters for making the 16th DACH Permafrost Conference a wonderful and inspiring experience.
A selection of group photos and impressions from the 16th DACH Permafrost Conference.
Google Maps link → https://maps.app.goo.gl/uwGJSt7VuqPYhdAo7
Wednesday (21 Jan):
- registration (from early afternoon)
- Young Researchers Workshop
- Icebreaker reception
Thursday & Friday (22–23 Jan):
- Oral sessions, posters, networking events, keynote lectures
Saturday (24 Jan):
- Field excursions in the Potsdam region
The conference is supported by and actively connected with several international networks:
- International Permafrost Association (IPA)
- Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P)
- Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN)
- Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS)
Conference Chair
- Dr. Jens Strauss
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Jens.Strauss@awi.de
Scientific Program Committee
- Prof. Dr. Guido Grosse
AWI & University of Potsdam (UP) – AWI and UP liaison
guido.grosse@awi.de
- Prof. Dr. Susanne Liebner
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) & University of Potsdam – GFZ and UP liaison
susanne.liebner@gfz.de
- Prof. Dr. Carsten W. Müller
Technische Universität (TU) Berlin – TU Berlin liaison
carsten.werner.mueller@tu-berlin.de
- Dr. Lutz Schirrmeister
AWI – Liaison to the German Society for Polar Research (DGP)
lutz.schirrmeister@awi.de
- Dr. Carolina Voigt
AWI & Universität Hamburg (UHH) – UHH liaison
carolina.voigt@awi.de
Workshops & Young Researchers
- Dr. Anna Maria Irrgang
AWI – Pre-Conference Workshop Coordination
anna.irrgang@awi.de
- Dr. Maren Jenrich
AWI – Young Researcher Workshop, Coordination of Oral and Poster Awards
maren.jenrich@awi.de
- Fabian Seemann
AWI & University of Potsdam – Young Researcher Workshop, Liaison to APECS & PYRN
fabian.seemann@awi.de
- Saskia Eppinger
TU München – Young Researcher Workshop, Coordination of Oral and Poster Awards, Liaison to PYRN
saskia.eppinger@tum.de
Conference Proceedings & Website
- Dr. Michael Fritz
AWI – Conference Proceedings Coordination
michael.fritz@awi.de
- Sebastian Laboor
AWI – Website and Conference Proceedings
sebastian.laboor@awi.de
Social Program and Outreach
- Dr. Josefine Lenz
AWI – Social Program and Outreach
josefine.lenz@awi.de
International & Local Coordination
- Dr. Anne Morgenstern
AWI – International Affairs, Coordination of Oral and Poster Awards
anne.morgenstern@awi.de
- Melanie Reinhardt
AWI – Registration, Budget, and Liaison to Municipality of Seddiner See
melanie.reinhardt@awi.de
International Scientific Advisory Board
The scientific quality and international visibility of the conference are supported by a dedicated advisory board, led by:
- Dr. Ingo Hartmeyer – GeoResearch, Austria
- Dr. Samuel Weber – WSL, Switzerland
The board advises on the scientific program and award selection process.
The DACH Permafrost Conference is committed to creating an inclusive and environmentally responsible event:
- Climate-friendly travel is encouraged via public transport and a planned shuttle service from nearby train stations
- Paperless conference management: digital program and proceedings
- Locally sourced catering with vegetarian/vegan options
- Equal representation of all genders, backgrounds, and career stages in the organizing team, speaker selection, and program design
Contact:
Program Overview
The main conference took place from 21–24 January 2026.
The final conference schedule, including talk and poster slots, is available here:
