Dr. Erika von Schneidemesser
Research Group Leader
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Dr. Erika von Schneidemesser joined RIFS (then IASS) in 2012, where she currently leads the RIFS research group Urban Air Quality, Mobility, and Health (AQMH). The focus of this research group is on understanding urban air pollution, including exploring and developing the measurement capabilities of small sensors, and their application in urban areas for quantifying the effects of mobility policy on air quality and changes in exposure. The research group uses a transdisciplinary approach, to strengthen connections between science and policy, collaborating with city governments and NGOs to inform decision-making and research. She is currently also on the Steering Committee of the international initiatives TOAR II and GEIA.
Erika received her PhD in Environmental Chemistry and Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA in 2009. During her PhD and post-doctoral work at the University of Leicester, UK, Erika established a strong scientific background in atmospheric measurement techniques and data analysis focusing on urban aerosol, source apportionment, trends analysis, and the role of megacities for air pollution and climate change. In 2011 she was awarded an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowship to work at the U.S. National Science Foundation, where she honed her science-policy expertise.
Projects
Groups
Blog Posts
- How Potsdam is Rethinking Street Spaces
- Where is the policy response to air pollution deaths?
- EGUPolicy: An Expert Discussion on Ozone – Working at the Science-Policy Interface
- A Science Perspective on the Volkswagen Emissions Scandal
- The Potential of Big Data and Cycling
- Air Pollution and Climate Change: Fostering Better Decisions
- You Are What You Breathe? Measuring Air Quality in Berlin
- Clean Up Our Skies: On a New Commentary Piece in “Nature”
- 2015-current: Research Group Leader for Urban Air Quality, Mobility, and Health (AQMH) at RIFS, Potsdam, Germany
- 2012-2015: Research Scientist at IASS, Potsdam, Germany
- 2011-2012: AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, Directorate of Geosciences, National Science Foundation, Washington, DC, USA
- 2009-2011: Research Associate, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- 2009: Research Associate, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- 2005-2009: PhD in Environmental Chemistry and Technology (atmospheric chemistry), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- 2000-2004: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry, Mathematics), University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, USA
- urban air pollution
- air pollution exposure and health
- air quality and urban mobility policy
- small sensors
- ozone, non-methane volatile organic compounds
- long-term trends in atmospheric composition
- measurements and monitoring
- emissions, emission inventories
- source apportionment
- air pollution and climate change interactions and feedbacks
- science-policy
- science communication
- inter- and transdisciplinary methods
Publications at the RIFS
Publications prior to joining the RIFS
- von Schneidemesser, E., Monks, P.S., Gros, V., Gauduin, J., Sanchez, O. (2011) How important is biogenic isoprene in an urban environment? A study in London and Paris. Geophysical Research Letters 38, L19804.
- von Schneidemesser, E., Monks, P.S., Plass-Duelmer, C. (2010) Global Comparison of VOC and CO Observations in Urban Areas. Atmospheric Environment 44, (39) 5053-5064.
- von Schneidemesser, E., Zhou, J., Stone, E.A., Schauer, J.J., Shpund, J., Brenner, S., Qasrawi, R., Abdeen, Z., Sarnat, J.A. (2010). Spatial Variability of Carbonaceous Aerosol Concentrations in East and West Jerusalem. Environmental Science and Technology 44 (6), 1911-1917.
- von Schneidemesser, E., Stone, E.A., Quraishi, T., Shafer, M.M., Schauer, J.J. (2010). Toxic metals in the atmosphere in Lahore, Pakistan. Science of the Total Environment, 408, (7) 1640-1648.
- von Schneidemesser, E., Schauer, J.J., Hagler, G.W., and Bergin, M.H. (2009). Concentrations and Sources of Carbonaceous Aerosol in the Atmosphere of Summit, Greenland. Atmospheric Environment 43, (27) 4155-4162.
- Climate-friendly travel - How the mobility transition in Berlin and Brandenburg is succeeding. Online Event organized by the Climate Change Center Berlin Brandenburg, invited panel participation, 20 April 2021.
- "Research at the intersection of politics and society." Presentation at ‚Dirt, Dust, Stench?! No Thanks! Municipal conflicts about clean air, organized by the Evangelical Academy in Bad Boll, 18-19 December 2020.
- "Why Low-Cost Sensors? Pros and Cons", Science-Policy Dialogue: Requirements for low-cost sensors for measuring particulate matter, organized by Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Berlin, 10 February 2020.
- "Transformation - Contributions from Policy and Practice." German Climate Coalition - Annual Meeting: From Knowledge to Action - What are the factors for success?, Berlin, 4 April 2019.
- Engagement in the Science-Policy Landscape, EGU session 'Science for Policy: What is it and how can scientists become involved in policy processes?', Vienna, Austria, 12 April 2018.
- Allin Wayra, IGAC Activity on Small Sensors, Co-Chair (2023-present)
- EGU Science for Policy Working Group, Member (2022-present)
- Tropospheric Ozone Assessment Report II (TOAR II), Steering Committee Member (2020-2025)
- ADA Lovelace Mentorship Program, Mentor (2018-2019)
- Global Emissions Initiative (GEIA) Steering Committee Member (2017-current)
- Global Emissions Initiative (GEIA) 'NMVOCs in Emission Inventories' Working Group Chair (2014-2022)
- Tropospheric Ozone Assessment Report (TOAR) 'European Working Group' Chair (2014-2017)