ZMT - Leibniz Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung

Register now for science speed dating: Meet ZMT researchers at “Book a Scientist”

Groundwater in a changing climate or power and participation in shaping the future of our coasts: On 29 September 2026, two researchers from the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) will take part in the Leibniz Association’s “Book a Scientist” science speed dating event.

“Book a Scientist” gives anyone interested in science the opportunity to spend 25 minutes talking one-to-one with a researcher from a Leibniz institute. Participants can ask questions about a topic they have always wanted to know more about, discuss current research and gain insights into the everyday work of scientists.

This time, two ZMT researchers are offering conversations in the category “People, Nature & Ecosystems”:

Maheshwaran Govender: Who talks to whom and who gets heard? Networks, perceptions, and power in coastal futures

Decisions about the future of coastal regions involve people and institutions with different interests, relationships and levels of influence. Drawing on examples from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Maheshwaran Govender explores how social networks and perceptions can help us understand cooperation, conflict and power in shaping coastal futures. He particularly invites students interested in these questions to join the conversation. The conversations will be held in English.

Prof. Dr. Nils Moosdorf: Groundwater resources in a changing climate

Groundwater is an essential but largely invisible resource. It helps ecosystems and societies cope with dry periods and keeps rivers flowing. At the same time, droughts, growing demand and saltwater intrusion in coastal areas are putting groundwater resources under increasing pressure. Nils Moosdorf, head of ZMT’s Submarine Groundwater Discharge working group, studies groundwater around the world, with a particular focus on coastal regions. His conversations are available in German and English.

More than 100 topics from a wide range of research fields are available at “Book a Scientist”. The free virtual one-to-one conversations will take place on 29 September 2026 between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. and between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Appointments can be booked directly via the Leibniz Association’s “Book a Scientist” website.