The Center for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces (ZFL) at the University of Bonn brings together world-class research in applied remote sensing, geoinformation sciences, and spatial modeling. Developed in close collaboration with international partners including UN-SPIDER, UNOOSA, ESA, and DLR, our courses turn satellite data into actionable environmental solutions. Learn to monitor ecosystems, map disaster risks, and build capacity to tackle our planet’s most pressing challenges.

SPEAR II

Spaceborne Earth Observation Applications for Emergency Response and Disaster Risk Reduction

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Learn about our lecturers

Michael Schmidt is a remote sensing scientist specialising in Earth observation and geospatial data processing. He completed his PhD at the University of Bonn, focusing on remote sensing. He subsequently worked as a postdoctoral researcher at CSIRO in Canberra, Australia, where he contributed to improving data accuracy, calibration methods, and the development of web-based services for operational data processing. He later joined a research team in Brisbane, Queensland, working on environmental applications of remote sensing, with a focus on vegetation cover and analysis. After returning to Germany, he worked at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), where he managed a cloud computing project. Since 2023, he has been serving as the scientific coordinator of the Center for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces (ZFL) at the University of Bonn.

Michael Schmidt

Dr.

Learn about our lecturers

Josi Bregulla holds a Bachelor's degree in Geography from the University of Bonn and is currently pursuing the Master's programme in Geography of Environmental Risks and Human Security at the United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security. Her academic focus lies in Disaster Risk Management and the application of GIS and Remote Sensing. In the past, Josi worked as a GIS and Remote Sensing tutor. Josi has worked together with UN-SPIDER as an intern, where she gained practical experience in the use of space-based information for disaster management and international cooperation. Building on this experience, she now contributes to the Spaceborne Earth Observation Applications for Emergency Response and Disaster Risk Reduction (SPEAR II) project, a collaborative initiative between the University of Bonn and UN-SPIDER. SPEAR II aims to understand needs, develop solutions, and strengthen national capacities for the use of space-based information in disaster monitoring and prevention across Africa, in line with international and regional frameworks. Within the project, Josi is particularly interested in the application of digital elevation models and digital twins to support disaster risk reduction and evidence-based decision-making.

Josi Bregulla

SPEAR Project

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Who are the ZFL online courses designed for?

    Our courses are tailored for students, academic researchers, GIS specialists, environmental practitioners, and decision-makers in government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations who want to apply remote sensing and spatial modeling to real-world challenges.

  • Do I need prior experience in GIS or Remote Sensing?

    We offer courses across multiple skill levels. Foundational tracks introduce fundamental concepts in Earth observation and GIS. Advanced tracks (such as optical/radar data fusion or spatial modeling) benefit from basic familiarity with GIS software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS) or programming tools like Python/R.

  • What makes the SPEAR II courses unique?

    Courses under the SPEAR II project focus specifically on applied disaster risk management and international capacity building. They combine academic research from the University of Bonn with practical frameworks built in close collaboration with United Nations agencies and international partners.