Beate MW Ratter

Prof. Dr. Beate MW Ratter is a Professor of Integrative Geography at the Department of Earth System Sciences, University of Hamburg, and heads the Socio-Economics of Coastal Areas division at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht. She is actively involved in major climate research initiatives, including the Cluster of Excellence CLICCS and the UNESCO Chair on Societal Climate Research and Resilience.

Research Interests: Her work focuses on human-nature interactions, climate change adaptation in coastal and island regions, cultural and economic geography, and sustainable spatial planning. She has extensive expertise in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), particularly in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Maldives. Her research integrates social-ecological systems, resilience theory, and governance frameworks.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research on coastal resilience, blue carbon, societal adaptation, and the socio-political dimensions of climate change. Her work combines qualitative methodologies with transdisciplinary collaboration, emphasizing stakeholder engagement and local knowledge systems.

Scientific Leadership:

• Lead Author, IPCC Special Report on Oceans and Cryosphere (SROCC)
• Vice President, International Small Island Studies Association (ISISA)
• Member, Steering Committee, IGU Study Group on Islands
• Member, Editorial Review Board, Rethinking the Island
• Member, CEN (Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability)

Advising and Grants: She supervises PhD students, such as Kerstin Schneider, on community-based climate action. Her leadership in projects like 'klimafit', 'sea4soCiety', 'WAKOS', and 'CLICCS' demonstrates sustained grant success and public engagement. These projects emphasize participatory research, societal transformation, and science-policy interfaces.

Labs and Teams: She leads research teams at the University of Hamburg and collaborates closely with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht. Her work is embedded in large consortia like REKLIM and CLICCS, fostering cross-institutional and international collaboration.