Introducing: Marcus Reckermann
What is your qualifying background?
I am a Biological Oceanographer by education. I studied in Kiel and Rostock, and have worked on Texel, in Kiel, Warnemünde and Büsum and have done research in the North and Baltic Sea as well as in various other sea regions. Since 2005 I have managed the International Baltic Earth Secretariat (BALTEX until 2013).
How would you describe your working daily routine?
First in the morning I grab a cup of coffee or tea (I am fine with both), then I sort my e-mails. I try to put them into categories before I work with them to keep a good overview and prioritize. So the first part of the morning is spent with working up e-mails. What happens then depends on the actual current activities we are involved in. That may be the preparation of scientific meetings, educational events, conferences, keeping our website and social media up to date, or manage (and sometimes author) Baltic Earth publications. In all these activities, I am supported by my colleague Silke Köppen. There is no “typical” daily routine, which is an attractive aspect of my job. Before the pandemic, I used to travel a lot in the Baltic Sea region, to organize and attend scientific workshops, meetings or conferences. That has mostly changed to using video conference software from my desktop.
What has been your biggest success so far?
I think that was my contribution to the design and establishment of the Baltic Earth network out of the successful BALTEX; e.g. the name “Baltic Earth” was my idea.
Do you have a big goal?
My scientific aim is to foster the Baltic Earth network as a common research and outreach platform for Earth system researchers in the Baltic Sea region. If I had to characterize Baltic Earth with two words, I would say: international and interdisciplinary.
Personally, it is very simple and humble: stay healthy and happy as long as possible, together with my wife and my boat …
Do you have any personal distinctive mark?
I tend to love wearing Hawaiian shirts…
