Niels Kaffenberger

Niels Kaffenberger is a researcher at the Institute of Outdoor Sports and Environment Science at the German Sport University Cologne. Previously, he completed his PhD at the Institute of Exercise Training and Sport Informatics, specializing in Sport Informatics and Sports Games Research. He is actively engaged in sustainability and inclusion research within outdoor sports, particularly focusing on snowboarding and climate change.

His research interests center on sustainable sports practices, environmental impact assessment in recreational activities, and inclusive education in outdoor sports. He investigates how young snowboarders perceive climate change and how sustainable behaviors can be fostered within winter sports communities. His work bridges sport science, environmental education, and inclusive pedagogy.

The recent publications highlight a strong thematic focus on sustainable snowboarding initiatives, climate awareness among youth athletes, and inclusive teaching materials for students with intellectual disabilities in snow sports. These works reflect an interdisciplinary approach combining sport informatics, environmental science, and special education.

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Niels Kaffenberger leads the third-party funded research project "ZERO - Zero Emission Rides Objective" (2023–2025), which aims to promote sustainable practices in snowboarding. He collaborates extensively with researchers such as Daniel Vogel and Kerstin Straub. While no formal advisees are listed, his active research role suggests mentorship and team leadership within his projects.

He is involved in the research group focused on Sport Informatics and Sports Games Research and contributes to sustainability-driven initiatives like the World Snowboard Federation's ZERO program. His work is applied and policy-relevant, aiming to transform recreational snow sports into environmentally responsible practices.