Susanna Mitterer

Geographer, Co-Founder and Vice President Girls on Ice Austria

Pronouns: her/she/hers

Since my very early childhood, I have been able to experience and enjoy nature in the mountains. Through these activities, my enthusiasm for nature and my interest in natural sciences were inspired and paved the road for my professional education. 

I have a MSc in Physical Geography with a thesis in the field of Glaciology, and in 2010 I started a PhD project on large-scale modelling of permafrost, which was interrupted by the wonderful fact of becoming a mum of a now 8 years and a 5 years old kid, plus new born twins – all of them lovely boys.

I participated in several field campaigns dealing with snow and avalanches in the European Eastern Alps, worked with the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) in Zurich and at the WSL-Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in Davos, Switzerland. Later, I was affiliated with the University of Innsbruck and the alp-S center for climate change. I had the great opportunity to take several courses at the University of Svalbard and the incredible fortune to explore the beauty and challenges of the Arctic winter. To pass on my passion for the natural sciences and mountains to other people, I have completed a professional training as a hiking guide. Besides, I worked with the Austrian Association for Alpine Safety, the Austrian Association for Snow and Avalanches and completed a professional training in project management. 

 I love skiing, the beauty of winter and I am always sad when winter ends. However, at the same time I am enjoying hiking and mountain biking and exploring nature with “my” boys during summers. In general, I have a passion for the outdoors.

During all of the above experiences, I never was deterred by the fact that I was one of the few girls in the group. This applies to science, my family and recreational activities. And it’s exactly that feeling that I want to share with the girls: It is not gender telling you what is possible or not, but you acting.