Third Research Colloquium in Hannover: Exchange and Networking in the Geosciences
On 14 April 2026, the third research colloquium took place at the FZ:GEO Research Centre at Leibniz University Hannover. The event was jointly organised with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG) and the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG). More than 80 researchers from across the geosciences gathered in Hanover.
The colloquium focused on presenting current research, discussing shared research questions and fostering new collaborations. It once again provided an important platform for professional exchange and regional networking.
The programme opened with two keynote presentations: Prof. Dr. Ralph Watzel, President of the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), provided an overview of recent developments and future perspectives in the geosciences, placing them within a broader geopolitical context. This was followed by a talk from Prof. Dr. Jürgen Müller of the Institute of Geodesy at Leibniz University Hannover, who introduced new approaches and concepts for the application of quantum sensing in the geosciences.
A central component of the programme was the poster session, featuring around 40 contributions. Here, the participating institutions presented their current research projects and offered insights into the thematic diversity of geoscientific research. The topics covered included critical raw materials, soil, groundwater, and nuclear waste disposal. In addition to regional research with a focus on Lower Saxony, international research activities were also highlighted, including work in Africa, China, and Greenland.
