Prof. Dr. Ralf Ludwig

Short biography

After studying geography and completing my doctorate at the Institute of Geography at LMU, I spent several years as a professor of physical geography and environmental remote sensing at the Institute of Geography at Christian Albrecht University in Kiel. In 2007, I returned to LMU to take up the professorship for applied physical geography and environmental modelling. After several terms as Dean and Dean of Studies of the Faculty of Geosciences, I am currently serving as Vice Dean there. In addition to my research and teaching duties, I am Chief Sustainability Officer at LMU (since November 2025), spokesperson for the LMU Sustainability Committee, member of the board of the Munich Centre for Sustainability, spokesperson for the CAS focus area Planetary Health, LMU delegate to the Bavarian Centre for Higher Education and Sustainability (BayZeN), Vice-Chair of the Munich Geographical Society, member of the BayWISS Research Training Group Life Sciences and Green Technologies, member of the LMU Open Science Centre, and member of the Academic Board of the European University Alliance for Global Health (EUGLOH).

Fields of activity

My research focuses primarily on modelling and analysing the consequences of climate change on natural systems and human-environment relationships, particularly in relation to water resource management. My main interests lie in understanding the dynamics of extreme events, developing adaptation strategies and scenarios for sustainable development. I use process- and data-based environmental modelling and remote sensing methods to address these topics. My regional focus is on Bavaria, the Alps, and vulnerable ecosystems from the subtropics to the subarctic. I integrate the latest findings from this work into my teaching of all geographical subjects and into the training of young scientists.

Statement

My involvement in the Munich Centre for Sustainability is opening up completely new opportunities for development. Here, I can go beyond my own professional and personal boundaries and work with colleagues from other disciplines to make a sound scientific and academic contribution to the urgently needed social transformation towards sustainable development. I expect this to provide particular impetus for the interfaculty development of new teaching concepts and transdisciplinary cooperation with university administrators and partners in the field of education for sustainable development.