We are delighted to introduce Claire Nichols as the 2026 Johannes Geiss Fellow, whose research explores planetary magnetism and what it can tell us about the deep interiors, atmospheres, and habitability of planets across our solar system and beyond. Based at the University of Oxford, Claire combines a background in Earth Sciences with a fascination for meteorites, the Moon, and the magnetic histories of planets large and small. In this interview, she reflects on her path into space science, explains why invisible magnetic fields matter so much, and shares what she is most excited about during her upcoming stay at ISSI in Bern—alongside her enthusiasm for mountains, chocolate, and the occasional punting mishap.
The International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland invites applications for the 2026 Johannes Geiss Fellowship (JGF). With this fellowship ISSI honours the memory of Johannes Geiss, the founder of ISSI, and his contributions to the space sciences.
The International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland, is thrilled to announce Dr. Benjamin Poulter from the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA, as the upcoming 2025 Johannes Geiss Fellow. This fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for established researchers to advance innovative and interdisciplinary work in space and Earth science.
The International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern, Switzerland invites applications for the 2025 Johannes Geiss Fellowship (JGF25). With this fellowship ISSI honours the memory of Johannes Geiss, the founder of ISSI, and his contributions to the space sciences.
The Earth’s atmosphere and ocean are in the focus of Professor Weiqing Han, who is affiliated with the University of Colorado and a former ‘Johannes Geiss Fellow’ at ISSI Bern. Her focus is predominantly on the dynamics of our evolving climate across intra-seasonal to decadal time frames. Important facets of her work encompass ocean dynamics, regional sea-level fluctuations, climate variability, and the intricate interplay between the atmosphere and the ocean. Below, Professor Han provides a synopsis of her latest publications arising from her time as an ISSI fellow.
Sandra Chapman is the Johannes Geiss Fellow 2023 and is a plasma physicist working on problems in astrophysics and in the laboratory. She is currently Professor of Physics and Director of the Centre for Fusion, Space and Astrophysics at the University of Warwick and adjunct Professor at UIT.
The International Space Science Institute ISSI is proud to announce Prof. Michael R. Meyer (University of Michigan, USA) as the Johannes Geiss Fellow 2024.
Global sea level and extreme ocean events are rising due to human-caused climate change. The amount of rise in sea level and number of increase in extreme events, however, vary greatly from region to region and they also change over time. To fully understand these changes and thus build the capability of predicting when and where they may occur in the future, we must also consider naturally occurring climate variability.
Bruno Leibundgut (European Southern Observatory (ESO), Garching, Germany) was elected as the Johannes Geiss Fellow 2019. In the following paragraphs he answers a few questions – asked by Lorena Moreira, ISSI Earth Sciences Post Doc – about his scientific work (in pandemic times).
