Prof. Richard Dikau has a full professorship at the department of geography. His scientific focus includesthe study of geomorphology, geomorphometry, permafrost research and natural hazards. From 1998-2007 he was the chair of the interdisciplinary research training group 437 "Landform - a structured and variable boundary layer". Dr. Jan-Christoph Otto works on high mountain geomorphology and sediment budgets. He is a former member of the research training group 437 "Landform - a structured and variable boundary layer" and graduated within this programme on high mountain sediment storage and sediment budgets.