Lars Wirkus

Biography

Lars took on the role of Head of Research Infrastructure and Data at bicc in 2021 after he headed the data and geomatics staff unit for ten years from 2011 to 2020. After obtaining his degree as geographer for the University in Bonn, he began his professional career at bicc with studies on base conversion in the year 2000. Then, his research extensively focused for many years on natural resources and violent conflicts, institutional aspects of water resources management, the micro level analysis of water resources-related conflicts and until today on climate change and conflict. Between 2007 and early 2011, Lars worked on a part-time basis as Senior Researcher with bicc and as a Research Associate with the United Nations University–Institute for Environment and Human Security. Back on a full time position as senior researcher at bicc in 2011 Lars’ focus has been on developing and implementing various interactive databases- and WebGIS-based knowledge-sharing information applications on topics such as arms exports, small arms control, physical security and stockpile management, global militarisation, war & peace and refugee research. In the course of this, he became increasingly interested in the management of research data, data ethics and data privacy, which paved the way for his current position. As a member of the Institute's senior management team, Lars, in his function as Head of Research Infrastructure and Data, is responsible for research data management, information and communication technology (ICT) as well as the development of bicc's web and information services. When he’s not working, Lars is either attending rock concerts as often as possible, reading fantasy novels or spends a lot of time with his wife, his two daughters and his dog.