Climate Crisis 1/3 with Mirko Winkel—Exploring the intersection of art and science

Mirko Winkel, an artist from the Institute of Geography of the University of Bern, talks to our hosts Julia and Tanish about his work at the mLAB. It is a unique space that explores novel roles of art in geography research and community outreach. From using cartographic methods, to applying artistic mapping techniques in scientific studies, the mLAB fosters transdisciplinary collaboration and helps students bring creative ideas to life.

Discover how art made climate change more tangible through an immersive project in Bern focused on “heat islands” – urban areas that trap heat due to human intervention. In a project developed for Bümpliz, participants rode bikes equipped with thermometers to track temperature shifts across the city. They then analyzed the data with mathematical models in a Ansermetplatz square and experienced the cooling effect of noble infrastructure like a public pool and increased tree coverage in this notorious heat island. This project made climate science accessible and intuitive for the public and policy makers alike.

For more information, visit the mLAB website, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram (@mlab.unibern) and X https://x.com/bernmlab.

Hosts for this Episode: Julia Knuchel and Tanish Shinde