Lena Thöle

In my role as data steward, I support the museum’s efforts in data mobilization and collection digitization.

Sharing research data is one of the most important aspects in environmental sciences, as this data is crucial for further research, conservation planning, and environmental policies. I support and guide researchers in their data sharing, focusing on best practices for data management, established data standards, and the use of relevant software and workflows, while adhering to the FAIR and CARE principles.

Another important part of my work involves supporting the digitization of collections to facilitate long-term management of the collections, as well as sharing and opening up the collections to a broader (digital) audience.

My background is in paleoclimatology, with a particular interest in the role of the Southern Ocean in the Pleistocene climate system. Working in remote areas, where research efforts are international and interdisciplinary by nature, I quickly learned how effective it is to use common practices for data management and sharing. I also became aware of how important it is to mobilize environmental data and strengthen expertise in this area, to make data a cornerstone of effective climate action, conservation efforts, and sustainable development goals.