Summer School 2015/16
Concept of the Summer School
One of the most valuable skills that experienced and successful scientists can pass on to young researchers is the efficient identification of attractive and relevant research topics in the vast and complex world of science. Our current series of summer schools funded by the VolkswagenFoundation in the bio-geo-sciences aims to help twenty young scientists from African and European universities to design new research projects on such topics using the latest methods of data analysis, and to present the results from these projects in an attractive and professional manner. The first module of the summer school focusses on searching relevant published literature and related data on a scientific topic, using both free and commercially available online citation databases. The aim of this module is to identify scientific hypotheses and controversies that could form the basis for new research projects and scientific experiments. This was followed by a set of modules dealing with the analysis of both the researcher’s own data and previously published data using sophisticated statistical and numerical methods such as, for example, using time series analysis to detect climatic changes, using remote sensing methods to map spatial variations in environmental conditions, and using geographic information systems to define areas of heightened georisk. In the third set of modules the results generated in the previous modules are prepared for publication. In this part of the summer school participants are instructed in academic writing, in the design of posters for conferences, and in giving lectures to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Program of the Summer School
2015 | Session 1 | Ethiopia
M1 Searching and Reviewing Literature and Data
Sep 20–27, 2015 | Professor Maslin
M2 Statistical Analysis of Bio-Geo-Science Data
Sep 27–Oct 4, 2015 | apl. Professor Trauth
M3 Analysing BioGeoGraphic Information Systems
Oct 4–11, 2015 | Dr. Zeilinger
M4 Bio-Geo Field and Laboratory Courses | 1
Sept 20–Oct 11, 2015 | all instructors
2016 | Session 2 | Kenya
M5 Designing Posters
Feb 21–28, 2016 | Jun.-Professor Junginger
M6 Scientific Writing
Feb 28–Mar 6, 2016 | Professor Maslin
M7 Oral Presentations
Mar 6–13, 2016 | apl. Professor Trauth
M8 Bio-Geo Field and Laboratory Courses | 2
Feb 21–Mar 13, 2016 | all instructors
Instructors of the Summer School
apl. Professor Dr. Martin H. Trauth, University of Potsdam
Professor Dr. Asfawossen Asrat, Addis Ababa University
Professor Dr. Eric O. Odada, University of Nairobi
Jun.-Professor Dr. Annett Junginger, University of Tübingen
Dr. Matthias Konrad-Schmolke, University of Potsdam
Professor Dr. Mark Maslin, University College London
Professor Dr. Daniel O. Olago, University of Nairobi
Dr. Lydia Olaka, MSc, University of Nairobi
Professor Dr. Frank Schäbitz, University of Köln
Professor Dr. Ralph Tiedemann, University of Potsdam
Dr. Gerold Zeilinger, University of Potsdam
Dr. Verena Foerster, University of Potsdam
Anne Hodgson, M.A., English Business Communication
Ed Manning, MSc, English Proofreading Services
Management and Tour Operators of the Summer School
Tanja Klaka-Tauscher, University of Potsdam (Summer School Manager)
Tesfa Teshome, Natenael Tadesse (Omo Tours Ethiopia)
James Mungai (Alliance Destinations Kenya)
Participants of the Summer School
Abigail Wamunyu, Kenya
André Friese, Germany
Asfaw Erbello, Ethiopia
Bahru Zinaye, Ethiopia
Birgit Zipf, Germany
Canute Hyandye Benedict, Tanzania
Celestine Nwite Nwojiji, Nigeria
Dorcas Kalele, Kenya
Eduardo Emilio Sanchez Leon, Mexico
Frank Brenner, Germany
Gaddissa Deyassa Daddi, Ethiopia
Gregor Ratzmann, Germany
Jacob Njaramba Ngatia, Kenya
Jan Schüürman, Germany
Johanna Englhardt, Germany
Julius Pyton Sserumaga, Uganda
Mawada Gomaa Abdalla Adam, Sudan
Robert Lütkemeier, Germany
Roni Martial Tchuisseuh, Cameroon
Rushingisha George Majagi, Zanzibar
Sofia Paraskevopoulou, Greece
Susan Jepkemoi, Kenya
Victorien Djotsa Nguimeya Ngninjio, Cameroon
