Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) is a leading research center located in Bremerhaven, Germany. Founded in 1980 and named after the German geophysicist Alfred Wegener, the institute focuses on Arctic and Antarctic research as well as marine biology and climate change. It is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres.
The AWI’s main mission is to investigate physical, chemical, biological and geological processes in polar regions for an improved understanding of Earth’s climate system. To achieve this goal, the AWI operates multiple polar stations across Antarctica and Greenland; conducts field campaigns; provides logistical support such as icebreakers or airplanes; develops new technologies to measure environmental parameters; maintains a network of observatories in Europe; runs scientific cruises with its own ships across all oceans; offers laboratory analysis services for projects worldwide; hosts numerous international workshops each year at its headquarters in Bremerhaven as well as other locations around the globe – just to name a few activities that are conducted by more than 2200 scientists, technicians and administrative staff members every day.
At present there are five divisions within AWI responsible for different fields: Polar Marine Sciences Division which includes topics like oceanography or marine ecology ; Atmosphere Physics Division which carries out investigations on atmospheric chemistry ; Geosciences Division focusing on earth sciences issues ; Biology Department dealing with biodiversity questions from genetics up to ecosystem level ; Remote Sensing Solutions Unit providing data acquisition systems & methods used for various remote sensing applications . Furthermore , since 2013 , AWS has been running three independent departments : “ Administration ” , “ IT-Services & Core Facility Services” , respectively .
The institute also supports education via several initiatives such as offering lectureships at universities throughout Europe or hosting summer schools about polar science topics specifically designed for high school students . Moreover it publishes books about current trends regarding global changes & related issues based upon their own research results .
In conclusion we can say that Alfred Wegener Institute plays an important role not only concerning regional problems like sea level rising but also internationally when it comes to contributing towards knowledge building related to global warming & melting poles – two major challenges our generation will have to face soon enough .