Dr. Sattler was honoured for her commitment for climate protection – her work highlights the global importance of glaciers in the UN's "International Year of Glacier Conservation 2025".
Birgit Sattler has been director of the Austrian Polar Research Institute since 2024 and is a renowned glaciologist and microbiologist at the University of Innsbruck. She was awarded the title of “Austrian of the Year” in the Climate Initiative category at the Austria Gala on 23 October 2025. The award recognises her decades of commitment to researching and protecting sensitive ice and high mountain ecosystems – and her tireless contribution to climate protection.
Birgit Sattler at gala event 2025 “Austrian women of the year” (Klemens Weisleitner)
International leading researcher
Birgit is an international leader in research on microorganisms in glaciers and mountain lakes. Through the Glacier Stewardship Programme, which she co-founded, she is committed to document biological diversity in ice, develop new technologies to protect glaciers and identify natural hazards at an early stage. Her work clearly shows that glacier melt affects us all – it influences drinking water, ecosystems and the safety of entire regions. She is the first Austrian researcher to have undertaken numerous scientific expeditions to Antarctica and represents Austria as a science policy delegate in the Antarctic Treaty – a role linked to her position at APRI.
Birgit Sattler drilling through ice to take biological samples in Antarctica (© Klemens Weisleitner)
“The glacier is not far away, but rather a mirror of our society.”
Birgit Sattler, APRI directory
At the award ceremony, Sattler emphasised the collaborative aspect of her success: “This award is for all of us,” she said, highlighting that climate protection is only possible through joint efforts by science, politics and society and asked all nominees to come to the stage.
In addition to her research, Birgit is heavily involved in educational work and media relations for the Austrian Polar Research Institute. She takes school classes up onto the glacier and brings science to life. In doing so, she raises awareness of the urgency of climate protection – and inspires the next generation.
This award not only puts an outstanding researcher in the spotlight, but also highlights the central importance of glaciers as indicators of climate change and the basis of our future.
We congratulate her warmly and are proud that she is driving forward the work at APRI with enthusiasm and new ideas!
Birgit sampling biological trades in Antarctica (© Klemens Weisleitner)
Media information
Written by the APRI-Media Officer Christoph Ruhsam.
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About the scientific author
Birgit Sattler, University of Innsbruck, Austria
Visit Birgit’s amazing website.
