Dr Astrid Werkmeister

Knowledge Exchange Associate

Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Personal statement

Dr. Astrid Werkmeister studied Atmospheric Science at Leibniz University in Hannover, Germany, where a deep interest in satellite remote sensing was cultivated. This passion led to an opportunity to pursue a PhD in Applied Marine Physics at the University of Miami, USA, with a dissertation focused on studying hurricane winds and waves using satellite data.

In 2018, Dr. Werkmeister joined the University of Strathclyde as a Teaching Associate in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Since then, she has played a pivotal role in developing a new MSc course in Satellite Applications. This innovative course includes three specialized modules that address various aspects of satellite applications, ranging from data science and programming in Python to the integration of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Werkmeister is also actively involved in leading several significant projects that leverage satellite technology to address global challenges. As the principal investigator of the Researcher in Residence (RiR) project, she is working on "Decoding Climate Displacement," a project that utilizes satellite data to study the impacts of climate change on human migration. Additionally, she is leading the Strathclyde side of the OSCAR project in collaboration with AAC Clyde Space, focusing on the development of advanced satellite-based solutions.

Committed to advancing sustainable development, Dr. Werkmeister uses satellite data not only to enhance our understanding of environmental changes but also to develop practical applications that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through teaching, research, and collaboration, she continues to push the boundaries of satellite remote sensing to create a positive global impact.

Publications

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Publications

Decoding Climate Displacement ArcGIS Story Collection: Werkmeister Astrid; (2025)
OSCAR : an integrated service for enhanced vessel management in offshore wind farms: Werkmeister Astrid, Akporiaye Omasan, Porwal Netan, Carrel Andrew, Fergus-Allen Cameron, Macdonald Malcolm; International Astronautical Federation 75th International Astronautical Congress (2024)
Finding navigable paths through tidal flats with Synthetic Aperture Radar: Clark Ruaridh A, McGrath Ciara N, Werkmeister Astrid A, Lowe Christopher J, Gibbons Gwilym, Macdonald Malcolm; Remote Sensing Vol 16 (2024); https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16061057
Boundary Layer Wind Structure and Ocean Waves in Tropical Cyclones from SAR Imagery: Werkmeister Astrid A; (2024)
Monitoring ship emissions using Sentinel-5P and AIS data: Werkmeister Astrid A, Carrel Andrew, Porwal Netan, Clemente Carmine, Macdonald Malcolm; Earth Resources and Environmental Remote Sensing/GIS Applications XIV (2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2678424
Satellite coverage assessment considering cloud cover: McGrath Ciara N, Werkmeister Astrid, Gribben Joshua, Lowe Christopher J, Macdonald Malcolm; 2023 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, pp. 1-13 (2023)

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Research

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Research Interests

Dr. Astrid Werkmeister's research interests lie at the intersection of satellite remote sensing, climate science, and sustainable development. She is particularly focused on leveraging satellite data to study and mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. Her research aims to advance our understanding of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, and their interaction with marine and coastal environments.

Key areas of interest include:

Satellite Remote Sensing: Exploring innovative methods for using satellite technology to monitor and analyze environmental changes, particularly in relation to atmospheric and marine systems.
Climate Change and Human Migration: Investigating the connections between climate change and human displacement, with a focus on developing predictive models that can inform policy and humanitarian responses.
Sustainable Development Applications: Utilizing satellite data to support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, with an emphasis on climate action, disaster risk reduction, and environmental sustainability.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaborating with industry partners, governmental organizations, and academic institutions to develop practical solutions that address global challenges through the application of satellite remote sensing technologies.

Dr. Werkmeister is committed to advancing research that not only deepens scientific knowledge but also has a tangible impact on society, particularly in the areas of climate resilience and sustainable development.

Professional Activities

Strategic Themes: EPSRC Critical Mass Programmes to Drive a Sustainable Future: Participant; 30/1/2025
EPSRC Scoping Worskhop (Critical mass): Participant; 30/1/2025
Path detection and tidal channel mapping using NNR graphs: Speaker; 23/4/2024
Engage with Strathclyde: Strathclyde Climate Education Kick-Off (StrathCEKO): Member of programme committee; 2/5/2023
Space2Connect: Participant; 1/2/2022
COP26 Reflections: Participant; 16/12/2021

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Projects

Decoding Climate-Induced Displacement: A Multi-Dimensional Analysis Using Sattellite TechnologyUS: Werkmeister, Astrid (Principal Investigator); 02-Jan-2024 - 31-Jan-2026
Offshore Servicing Coordination & Assessment with Remote Sensing (OSCAR): Macdonald, Malcolm (Principal Investigator) Clemente, Carmine (Co-investigator) Werkmeister, Astrid (Researcher); 01-Jan-2023 - 15-Jan-2025
SAR consultancy to UCD: Clemente, Carmine (Principal Investigator) Macdonald, Malcolm (Co-investigator) Werkmeister, Astrid (Co-investigator); 01-Jan-2023 - 30-Jan-2025
SAfe Passage through Shifting Sands: Macdonald, Malcolm (Principal Investigator) Clemente, Carmine (Co-investigator) McKee, David (Co-investigator) Tachtatzis, Christos (Co-investigator) Clark, Ruaridh (Research Co-investigator) Werkmeister, Astrid (Researcher); 01-Jan-2023 - 31-Jan-2024
EPSRC IAA: Secondment at Clyde Sapce Ltd for Satellite Data Service Development: Clemente, Carmine (Co-investigator) Macdonald, Malcolm (Research Co-investigator) Werkmeister, Astrid (Researcher); 01-Jan-2022 - 31-Jan-2025