Science communication,
Event planning and information management

Areas of responsibility

Career history

• Since 2018, responsible for science communication, information and event management at the DiZ’s administrative office
• Deputy Managing Director of the Didactic Centre (2017–2018)
• Scientific coordination of the Pedagogical Week (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020)
• Management of the following projects at the Didactic Centre
  • Project: Pupil Laboratories as Teaching and Learning Laboratories (2014–2018)
  • Project: Assessment and Support in Heterogeneous Groups (2014–2018)
  • ESD Project (2014–2015)
  • ‘Energy Trail North-West’ project (since 2015)
  • “Energy Education” project (2008–2014)
  • “OLAW” Project (2010–2014)
• Freelance biologist, ‘PlanktonData’ Office for Science Communication and Data Analysis (since 2006)
• Research assistant at the Federal Environment Agency in Berlin in the Drinking Water Department, specialising in: statistical data analysis, phytoplankton ecology, project coordination, public relations (1999–2006)
• Research assistant at the Federal Environment Agency in Berlin in the Ecology Division, specialising in: evaluation of mathematical models, project synthesis of Wadden Sea ecosystem research (1998–1999)
• Research assistant during the synthesis phase of the ecosystem research project at Terramare in Wilhelmshaven (1997)
• PhD in marine biology on the topic ‘The fate of phytoplankton in the Wadden Sea’ (1997)
• Research assistant in Wadden Sea ecosystem research at the ICBM in Oldenburg (1993–1997)
• Studied biology in Mainz and Oldenburg (1988–1993)
• Training as a biological laboratory assistant in Osnabrück
• Abitur in North Rhine-Westphalia (1984)
  

Publications

• Komorek, M., Freckmann, J., Hofmann, J., Niesel, V., Richter, C. (2018). Modern physics and energy formation as examples of the interconnection between subject matter and subject didactics. In I. Glowinski, A. Borowski; J. Gillen, S. Schanze, J. von Meien (eds.), Coherence in University Teacher Training: Linking Specialised Subject Knowledge, Subject Didactics and Educational Sciences (pp. 29–51). Potsdam: Universitätsverlag Potsdam. nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-414267
• Hößle, C., Hußmann, S., Michaelis, J., Niesel, V., Nührenbörger, M. (2017). Subject-specific didactic perspectives on the development of key competencies for support-oriented assessment. In C. Selter, S. Hußmann., C. Hößle, C. Knipping, K. Lengnink, J. Michaelis (eds.), Theories, Concepts and Examples from STEM Teacher Education (pp. 19–38). Münster: Waxmann.
• Fischer, A., Hößle, C., Krause, U., Michaelis, J., Niesel, V. (2017). Curricular integration and didactic-methodological design of subject-specific and educational science training sequences for the development of diagnostic competence. In C. Selter, S. Hußmann, C. Hößle, C. Knipping, K. Lengnink, J. Michaelis (eds.), Theories, Concepts and Examples from STEM Teacher Education. (pp. 169–190). Münster: Waxmann.
• Brauer, L., Fischer, A., Hößle, C., Niesel, V., Warnstedt, J. (2017) Vignette-based tools for developing the diagnostic skills of students studying the subjects of biology and mathematics (lower secondary level). In C. Selter, S. Hußmann, C. Hößle, C. Knipping, K. Lengnink, J. Michaelis (eds.), Theories, Concepts and Examples from STEM Teacher Education (pp. 257–276). Münster: Waxmann.
• Freckmann, J., Komorek, M., Niesel, V. (2016). Interdisciplinary energy module. In J. Menthe, D. Höttecke, T. Zabka, M. Hammann (eds.), Empowerment for Social Participation. Research in Subject Didactics; Volume 10 (pp. 317–320). Münster: Waxmann.
• Komorek, M., Ruberg, T., Niesel, V. (2016). Teacher training in the field of ‘Education for Sustainable Development’. In J. Menthe, D. Höttecke, T. Zabka, M. Hammann (Eds.), Empowerment for Social Participation. Research in Subject Didactics; Volume 10 (pp. 301–305). Münster: Waxmann.
• Fischer A., Hößle C., Jahnke-Klein S., Kiper H., Komorek M., Michaelis J., Niesel V. & Sjuts J. (eds., 2014). Diagnostics for Effective Teaching. Baltmannsweiler: Schneider Verlag Hohengehren. 290 pages.
• Niesel, V. & Komorek, M. (2012). The Energieparcours-Nordwest.de. In S. Bernholt (ed.), Concepts for the Didactic Structuring of Subject Teaching (pp. 410–412). Berlin: LIT
• Fischer, A., Niesel, V., & Sjuts, Johann (2012). OLAW: Collaborative Teacher Training – Developing Diagnostic and Support Competences in the Classroom and in Teaching and Learning Laboratories. In: Freitag, C. & von Bargen, I. Practice-based research in teacher education.
• Fischer, A., Niesel, V., Sjuts, Johann (eds., 2011) Teaching and learning laboratories and their significance for schools and teacher education. BIS-Verlag. Oldenburg.
• Niesel, V., Haucke, K. (2011) The ‘Energieparcours-Nordwest’ field trip portal: Energy education as a bridge between schools and businesses. In: Komorek, M., Niesel, V., Rebmann, K. Energy Education for a Shapable Future. BIS-Verlag. Oldenburg.
• Komorek M., Niesel V., Rebmann K. (eds., 2011). Energy Education for a Shapable Future. BIS-Verlag. Oldenburg.
• Niesel, V. & Sies, M. (2011) If the Climate Had a Birthday… . In: Lüth, N. & Himmelsbach, S. (eds.) Teaching Media and Art. Edith-Russ-Haus Yearbook.
• Komorek M., Niesel V., Rebmann K. (eds., 2010) Energy Education for Schools – Integrating an Interdisciplinary Topic into School Teaching and Teacher Training. BIS-Verlag.
• Niesel V., Hoehn E., Sudbrack R., Willmitzer H., Chorus I. (2007) The occurrence of the dinoflagellate species Gymnodinium uberrimum and Peridinium willei in German reservoirs. Journal of Plankton Research, Vol. 29: 347–357.
• Niesel V., Hoehn, E., Sudbrack R., Willmitzer H., Chorus I. (2006) Can the occurrence of problematic phytoplankton organisms be predicted using a simple statistical model (MOPS)? Is the occurrence of problematic phytoplankton species predictable using a simple probability model (MOPS)? Rostock. Meeresb. Beitr. Issue 15: 25–35.
• Chorus, I., V. Niesel, J. Fastner, C. Wiedner, B. Nixdorf, and K.-E. Lindenschmidt (2001): Environmental factors and microcystin levels in water bodies. In: I. Chorus (ed). Cyanotoxins: Occurrence, Causes, Consequences. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 159–174.
• Niesel V. (1999) Hydrographic conditions in the backbarrier system of Spiekeroog. In: S. Dittmann (ed). Stability Properties and Mechanisms in the Wadden Sea Ecosystem. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 26–30.
• Niesel V. & Günther C.P. (1999) Distribution of nutrients, algae and zooplankton in the backbarrier system of Spiekeroog. In: S. Dittmann (ed). Stability Properties and Mechanisms in the Wadden Sea Ecosystem. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 77–94.
• Günther C.-P. & Niesel V. (1999) Effects of the ice winter of 1996/1996. In: S. Dittmann (ed). Stability Properties and Mechanisms in the Wadden Sea Ecosystem. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 193–206.
• Grimm V., Bietz H., Günther C.-P., Hild A., Villbrandt M., Niesel V., Schleier U., Dittmann S. (1999) Stability properties in the Wadden Sea. In: S. Dittmann (ed). Stability Properties and Mechanisms in the Wadden Sea Ecosystem. Springer Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 227–259.
• Wirtz K. & Niesel V. (1999) Models in ecosystem research: methods, evaluation and recommendations. TERRAMARE Research Centre Reports No. 126, pp.
• Günther, C. P., Boysen-Ennen, E., Niesel, V., Hasemann, C., Heuers, J, Bittkau, A., Fetzer, I., Nacken, M., Schlüter, M., Jaklin, S. (1998) Observations of a mass occurrence of Macoma balthica larvae in midsummer. J. Sea Res. 40: 347–351.
• Niesel, V. (1997) Population-dynamic and ecophysiological consequences of intertidal residence for phytoplankton in the North Sea. TERRAMARE Research Centre Reports No. 7, 85 pages.