March 16 – 20, 2026 | National Technical University of Athens (Greece)

The ELLIS Winter School on “AI for Earth System, Hazards & Climate Extremes” is a 5-day hands-on program hosted by the MeDiTwin and AI4PEX projects, bringing together leading experts and early-career researchers to explore the latest advances in artificial intelligence for extreme event analysis. The school offers a combination of theoretical lectures, hands-on training, and real-world applications, focusing on cutting-edge AI techniques to improve modelling, understanding, and impact assessment of Earth system, hazards and climate extremes.

Organizers

Supporting partners

Event Details

When: March 16 – 20, 2026
Location: NTUA – Patission Campus map
Format: in-person, hands-on
Working Language: English
Participant Fees: 350 €

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Sustainability Commitment

The ELLIS Winter School 2026 is committed to integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability into the planning and delivery of the school. In line with the scientific focus of the programme on Earth systems, hazards, and climate extremes, we seek to reduce environmental impact while supporting inclusive, responsible participation.

The Sustainability Statement below sets out the practical measures we are implementing across travel, catering, materials, energy use and individual commitments.

→ Download the Sustainability Statement (PDF)

Programme

Detailed programme here

Key Pillars

The foundation of all analyses, focused on the detection, harmonization, and integration of diverse data sources, from in-situ measurements and remote sensing observations to derived products, to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability across applications.

Development of models for monitoring, forecasting, and impact assessment across spatial and temporal scales, combining physical principles with statistical and machine learning methods to capture complex Earth system dynamics and improve predictive performance.

Advancement of explainability, causal reasoning, and attribution to identify drivers of change and assess impacts, combined with uncertainty quantification and robustness analysis to ensure transparent and reliable outcomes.

Bridge between science and action, using AI tools such as large language models and digital twins to support operationalization, policy development, informed decision-making, and responsible risk communication.

Keynote Speakers

**Markus Reichstein**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*, *ELLIS Unit Jena*

**Gustau Camps-Valls**
*University of Valencia*

**Phoebe Koundouri**
*Athens University of Economics and Business , University of Cambridge, UN GSDR, *WCEREA*, SDSN* *GCH*, AE4RIA

**Alexander Brenning**
*University of Jena,*
*Ellis Unit Jena*

**Mrinalini Kochupillai**
*Hanken School of Economics*

**Pedram Ghamisi**
*Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf*

**Hongmei Li**
*Hamburg & Helmholtz Centre Hereon*

**Ramón Fuentes Franco**
*Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute*

**Zisoula Ntasiou**
*Hellenic Fire Service*

**Maria Vakalopoulou**
*University Paris-Saclay*

**Nico Lang**
*University of Copenhagen,*
*Climate AI Nordics*

**Dominik Schumacher**
*Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich*

Panel Speakers

**Dimitrios Bliziotis (moderator)**
*Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance & Hellenic Space Center*

**Christina Karakizi (co-moderator)**
*Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance & Hellenic Space Center*

**Fangfei “Fei” Lan**
*University of Lausanne*

**Nuno Carvalhais**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

Zero2Hero Tutors

**Said Ouala**
*Institut Mines-Télécom Atlantique*

**Mohanad Albughdadi**
*European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts*

**Christian Reimers**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

**Homer Durand**
*University of Valencia*

Challenges Tutors

**Mikhail Ivanov**
*Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute*

**Arianna Olivelli**
*Flanders Marine Institute*

**Nikolaos Papadopoulos**
*National Technical University of Athens*

**Marta Sapena**
*University of Valencia*

**Aishwarya Venkataramanan**
*University of Jena*

**Emiliano Díaz Salas-Porras**
*University of Valencia*

**Vitus Benson**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

**Angelos Zavras**
*National Technical University of Athens*

**Nikolaos-Ioannis Bountos**
*National Technical University of Athens*

**Alexander Winkler**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

**Xu Shan**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

**Reda El Ghawi**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

**Sujan Koirala**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

**Nathan Mankovich**
*University of Valencia*

Steering Committee

**Ioannis Papoutsis**
*National Technical University of Athens*

**Konstantinos Karantzalos**
*Ministry of Digital Governance of Greece*,
*National Technical University of Athens*

**Vasileios Baousis**
*European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts*

**Vasilia Karathanassi**
*National Technical University of Athens*

**Joachim Denzler**
*Friedrich Schiller University Jena,* *ELLIS Unit Jena*

Organizing Committee

**Georgina Spyres**
*National Technical University of Athens*

**Georgios Athanasiou**
*National Technical University of Athens*

**Ilektra Karasante**
*National Technical University of Athens*

**Nicole Börner**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

**Miranda Gatti Ståhl**
*Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute*

**Yuchen Bai**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

**George Blougouras**
*Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry*

Paraskevi Oikonomou
National Technical University of Athens

**Andreas Karavias**
*National Technical University of Athens*

Social Events

**Monday, March 16 – Ice breaker, Athens bar hopping**
Let’s break the ice Athens-style! We will discover together vibrant bars, and kick off the School with great vibes and good company.

**Tuesday, March 17 – Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park**
We will step into Greece’s technological past with a guided tour in the park, then immerse in its vibrant present with a live music evening and souvlaki in Lavrion.

**Wednesday, March 18 – National Observatory of Athens**
A night of science and stars: ΅We will tour historic instruments, then gaze at the cosmos.

**Thurday, March 19 – Athens tour**
Join us for a guided walk through ancient Athens and discover its most iconic historical landmarks.

FAQs

Please beware of companies who may contact you offering to sell you a travel package (e.g. GT Reservations, GT Travel Expert, Converiatravels.). They are not endorsed by the ELLIS Winter School and we are not collaborating with them.

Also beware of hotel booking companies who contact participants claiming to be either a preferred supplier or, in some cases, working for our event, demand up-front payment, charge substantial penalties for changes and cancellation and may not even make a reservation with the unapproved hotel. You should always read the small print.

We advise that you make your travel and accommodation arrangements through reputable suppliers and not via unsolicited phone calls or emails. We will also send successful participants recommended airlines/flights and hotels.

Eligibility criteria (e.g. level of study, background, required documents) are described in detail in “Who is it for” section and can be accessed directly by clicking here. Please make sure to review this before submitting your application.

We are prioritizing in person attendance, but there may be some lectures that will be streamed. Please stay tuned to our website and email updates.

The registration fee is 350 EUR.
Please note that this does not include your travel to Athens or your accommodation during the Winter School.

Coffee breaks, snacks and lunch are covered. We will also cover a music evening social event. Registration fees, accommodation and travel costs are not covered by the school but there may be scholarships provided. Although we aim to secure funding for financial support for participants, it will be on a needs-basis. If financial support to cover registration fees and/or travel expenses becomes available, it will be offered to a limited number of participants prioritizing diversity and inclusion, promoting balance in discipline, gender, and geography, with a focus on applicants from low-income or widening countries. We look forward to supporting you to join this exciting career advancement opportunity in Athens, Greece!

Decisions on financial assistance (such as partial funding or fee waivers) will be communicated shortly after your application result. If you are accepted, your admission email will specify whether you have been awarded financial support and what it covers.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in early January 2026, via email.

There may be recommended preliminary readings, especially for the group work components. Details and materials will be shared with accepted participants in advance.

You will receive a certificate of completion, which you can include in your CV. Please note that it does not count as university course credits (ECTS or equivalent).

We plan to record only the lectures and zero to hero tutorials and share them with participants after the Winter School.
We may also do some light filming during the school (e.g. a short vlog/video recap of the event) for outreach and communication purposes.

Do you have any questions?
Reach out to Georgina Spyres: gspyres@mail.ntua.gr

ELLIS Winter School 2026: AI for Earth System, Hazards & Climate Extremes