UMWELT 2026 conference at UDE
Environment under pressure
- von Juliana Fischer
- 31.08.2026
PFAS in water, pesticides in agriculture, microplastics in the oceans: pollutants put both human health and ecosystems at risk – and their effects can become even more complex when combined with other environmental pressures. From 2 to 4 September, around 220 experts will come together at the University of Duisburg-Essen for UMWELT 2026 to discuss these challenges. The conference is the joint annual meeting of SETAC GLB and the GDCh Division of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology.
This year’s theme is Between crisis and change: Pollutants, health and ecosystems in the Anthropocene. Across ten sessions, researchers will discuss PFAS – highly persistent chemicals – and pesticides, as well as microplastics, contaminated soils and pharmaceutical residues in the water cycle. New approaches to detecting and assessing environmental pollution will also be explored, including advanced analytical methods, computer modelling, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
“Pollutants do not act in isolation. They occur alongside habitat change, climate change and other environmental pressures. It is therefore essential to consider these factors together and understand their impact on ecosystems and human health,” says Ralf Schäfer, Professor of Ecotoxicology at UDE. “We need this kind of exchange if we are to understand complex environmental problems and develop solutions.”
Two plenary lectures will explore how research can help address real-world environmental challenges. Professor Beate Escher of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) will examine the effects of chemical mixtures on organisms. Honorary Professor Jochen Türk of the joint laboratory run by Ruhrverband, Emschergenossenschaft and Lippeverband will focus on water: How can trace contaminants be detected, and what does this mean for water management?
Early-career researchers will take centre stage even before the main conference programme begins. At the Young Environmental Forum on 2 September, Master’s students and doctoral researchers will present their projects, while “Meet the Experts” will introduce participants to a range of career paths in environmental research.
The programme also offers opportunities to see environmental research in action. Guided tours will take participants inside UDE’s algae collection, home to around 7,500 strains of microalgae, and the Genomics Core Facility, where a laboratory robot processes DNA samples for environmental research. Participants can also explore the biodiversity trail on campus and visit the Bottrop wastewater treatment plant, one of the largest in Germany.
UMWELT is celebrating its 30th edition in 2026. Since 1996, the conference has brought together researchers and experts from public authorities and industry. This year’s event is co-organised by UDE’s Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU) at the Essen campus.
Further information and programme:
https://www.uni-due.de/zwu/umwelt2026
Professor Ralf B. Schäfer, Professor of Ecotoxicology, Research Center One Health Ruhr, University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Tel. +49 201 183-3962
ralf.schaefer@uni-due.de