Dr. Patrick Augenstein
Exploratory Focus
- restoration ecology
- political ecology
- documentary film
- repeat photography
Teaching Focus
- environmental governance & political ecology
- media production & media geographies
Memberships
Dr. Patrick Augenstein
AG Müller-Mahn & AG Hörschelmann
U.1022
Geozentrum - Meckenheimer Allee 176
53115 Bonn
Curriculum Vitae
ongoing:
2021 -
Film production advisor to CIGAR-ILRI
2018 -
Associated Scientist - Development Geography / Collaborative Research Center (CRC), University Bonn
2016 -
Founder & CEO - Gesellschaft für internationale Umweltbildung gem. e.V., Germany
2012 -
Film production and science advisor to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Secretariat (UNCCD), Bonn, Germany
2024
Coordinator (BRD): GIZ Grant - A multi-dimensional assessment tool for risk analysis and mitigation in rural space.
2022 - 2024
Expert Consultant to the Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought (IWG-UNCCD)
2021 - 2024
Head of Productions – Geo-Medial (University Bonn)
2020
Coordinator - TRA-6 Project - Contested futures under COVID-19 & drought, University of Bonn, Germany
2019
Visiting Scholar (DAAD funded) University of Victoria, Canada
2018 - 2022
Associated Scientist - CRC 228 Future Rural Africa, University of Bonn, Germany
2018
Co-Founder - Let's Plant gem.e.V., Bonn, Germany
2017/18
Visiting Lecturer (DAAD funded / Master student course) - Kathmandu Tribhuvan University, Nepal
2017
Visiting Lecturer (ReviTec funded / Master student course) - Ngaoundéré University, Cameroon
2015 - 2017
Associated Scientist University of Bremen (artec), Germany
2014 - 2016
Head of Film Productions - Commonland Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2013 - 2016
Doctoral Candidate (rer. pol.) University of Bremen, Germany
Reframing Restoration (summa cum laude)
Reviewers: 1. Prof. Dr. Michael Flitner, 2. Prof. Dr. Eric Higgs
2011 - 2013
First assistant to the IUCN ambassador for ecosystem restoration, John D. Liu, Beijing, China
2010 - 2012
Film production consultant to the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Kigali, Rwanda
2009 - 2015
Research Director at the Environmental Education Media Project (EEMP), Beijing, China
2008
Research Assistant at the Haller Foundation, Mombasa, Kenya
2007
Graduation (State Examination) in Geography, Philosophy and English, University of Freiburg, Germany
2005
Practical training at the public broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR), Studio Oldenburg, Germany
2002
Practical training at the public broadcaster Südwestrundfunk (SWR), Baden-Baden, Germany
Awards & Nominations
When the skies ran dry (SEE-Intl') - nominated for Best Documentary Film, Cape Town International Film Market & Festival, South Africa
When the skies ran dry (SEE-Intl') - nominated for Best Documentary Film, Out of Africa International Film Festival, Nairobi, Kenya
When the skies ran dry (SEE-Intl') - nominated for Best Documentary Film, International Green Film Festival Krakau, Poland
When the skies ran dry (SEE-Intl') - nominated for Best Documentary Film, American Association of Geographers, Washington D.C., United States
The re-discovery of humanity - ecosystem restoration and migration (EEMPA) - nominated for Best Documentary Film, Malta Film Festival, Malta
Society for Ecological Restoration Communication Award (EEMP) Washington D.C., United States
Hope in a Changing Climate (EEMP) - Best Documentary Film at Green Screen Festival Vancouver, Canada
Hope in a Changing Climate (EEMP) - Best Documentary Film in the category: Ecosystem at the International Wildlife Film Festival, Montana, USA
Publications
Fekete, A., Augenstein, P., Brüntrup, M., Khaile, F., Kornher, L., Müller-Mahn, D., Saketta, T.G., Shirima, G., Subramanian, S. (2025). Turning points of extreme events and extreme policy system changes - repercussions on the transformation of risk and resilience (20 pages/in prep.).
Augenstein, P. T. (2025). Reframing Ecosystem Restoration. Franz Steiner Publishing House (330 pages/in prep.).
Augenstein, P. T., Higgs, Eric S. (2025). Novel Ecosystem Restoration in Rwanda - lessons learned through repeat photography. In: Ambio - A Journal of the Human Environment (12 pages / in prep.).
Augenstein, P., Hanna, S., Müller-Mahn, D., Hörschelmann, K. (2024). Wege zu digitalen Lehrformaten, Nachhaltigkeit und Diversität. In: Geographische Rundschau (10), p. 44 - 47. Westermann Verlag.
Müller-Mahn, D., Hörschelmann, K., Augenstein, P. T., Altfeld, T., Voigt, P., Breuer, S., Schmidt, H. (2024). Geo-Medial – Neue Wege in der Lehre: Digitalisierung, Nachhaltigkeit und Diversität. Geographisches Institut, Universität Bonn, Germany.
Augenstein, P. T., Tsegai, Daniel, Huang, Zhuojing (2023). Global drought snapshot: The need for immediate action. UNCCD. Bonn, Germany. available here.
Augenstein, P. T., Lukas, M., Björklund, G., Eudoxie, G., Brüntrup, M., King-Okumu, C., Kust, G. (2022). The Blue Paper - Drought Risks, Resilience and Restoration. The Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought. Bonn, Germany, UNCCD. Publication available here.
Tsegai, D., Medel, M., Augenstein, P. T., Huang, Z. (2022). Drought in numbers - Restoration for readiness and resilience. Bonn, Germany, UNCCD. Publication available here (English).
Augenstein, P. T. (2022). Reframing Ecosystem Restoration. Franz Steiner Publishing House (320 pages / in prep.).
Augenstein, P. T., Higgs, Eric S. (2022). Novel Ecosystem Restoration in Rwanda - lessons learned through repeat photography. (15 pages / in prep.).
Augenstein, P. T. (2020). Drought Risk Management - Practical Experiences from the German Development Cooperation. UNCCD Intergovernmental Working Group Report. Publication available here.
Augenstein, P. T. (2017). Reframing Restoration - Rwanda re-photographed 100 years later or the reconstruction of landscape memory. Doctorial thesis (summa cum laude). University Library Bremen.
Augenstein, P. T. (2015). China - Restoring the Loess Plateau. In: A. Brasser et al. (Eds), 4 Returns from Landscape Restoration – A systemic and practical approach to restore degraded landscapes. Commonland Publication.
Augenstein, P. T. (2015). Rwanda - Restoring Wetlands and Hydropower. In: A. Brasser et al. (Eds), 4 Returns from Landscape Restoration – A systemic and practical approach to restore degraded landscapes. Commonland Publication.
Augenstein, P. T. (2012). Wagenburgwunsch wird Wirklichkeit. In M. Ziel, S. Oßwald, O. Hasemann & D. Schnier (Eds.), Second Hand Spaces – über das Recyceln von Orten im städtischen Wandel (pp.123-125). Bremen: Zwischenzeit Zentrale Bremen.
Publication available here.
Augenstein, P. T. (2010). Die Goldenen Dörfer - Anders Leben. In: Polis - Das Magazin für Urban Development, 4, 62 - 65.
Augenstein, P. T. (2008). Wagenburgkultur in Deutschland – Mit einer Fallstudie zur Situation in Freiburg im Breisgau (Final examination paper / Grade: 1,3). Publication available here.
Documentary Film Productions
Channel: (2008-2025 productions)
Rangeland Restoration Episode 3: New Zealand and Bolivia (4K/ in progr.) (ILRI, UNCCD, WB).
Wetterextreme in Deutschland (4K/30 min.) Director, Producer & Writer. (DKKV, BMZ).
Proactive Drought Management in Chile (4K/20 min.) Director, Producer & Writer. (UNCCD, MINAGRI).
Rangeland Restoration Episode 2: Tanzania and Jordan (4K/15 min.) Director, Producer & Writer (ILRI, UNCCD, IUCN, VSF).
Rangeland Restoration Episode 1: Norway and Iceland (4K/15 min.) Director, Producer & Writer (ILRI, UNCCD, GRÓ-LRT).
The Road to Riyadh: Lessons learned from Saudi Arabia (4K/17 min.) Director & Producer (UNCCD, Geo-Medial).
The Land of Gods: Restoring Eden in Iceland (4K/20 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (GRÓ-LRT).
Uzbekistan’s Environmental Comeback (4K/12 min.). Director & Producer (UNCCD, Geo-Medial).
Citizen Science: Risk-Mapping in Kenya (4K/3+7 min.) Director, Producer & Writer (GIZ, IDOS, JOOST, Geo-Medial)
Das Geographische Quartett: Global Crises, Drought and Ecosystem Restoration (4K/75 min.). Director & Producer (Geo-Medial).
Das Geographische Quartett: Development Geography and Global Change (4K/100 min.). Director & Producer (Geo-Medial).
Drought Resilience Made in Israel (4K/12 min). Director & Producer. (SEE-Intl.’)
Ecosystem Restoration in Bhutan (4K/5 min.). Director & Producer. (UNCCD).
Living in the mountains of Ladakh (4K/3 min.). Director & Producer. (RA, EFI).
Drought and Environmental Challenges in Armenia (4K/4 min.). Director & Producer. (UNCCD)
India – In Search for Sustainability (4K/53 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (RA, EFI).
Nigeria – In Search for Sustainability (4K/18 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (RA, EFI).
Global Rangeland Restoration (4K/35). Director, Producer & Writer. (ILRI, IUCN, VSF, WWF).
Ecosystem Restoration in Ladakh & Assam (4K/work in prog.). Director, Producer & Writer. (RA, EFI).
Wald Anders Denken (4K/work in prog.). Director, Producer & Writer. (Wald u. Holz NRW).
Reforest' Action in Nigeria (4K/work in prog.). Director, Producer & Writer. (RA, EFI).
Global Rangeland Restoration (4K/work in prog.). Director, Producer & Writer. (ILRI, IUCN, VSF, WWF).
The Great Green Wall (4K/work in prog.). Executive Director & Producer.
Desertification and Drought Day Testimonials (4K/5 min.). Director & Producer. (UNCCD)
Rethinking Rangeland (4K/25 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (ILRI, VSF).
Urban Forestry (4K/7min. x4). Director, Producer & Writer. (EFI).
Novel Grasslands (4K/7 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (WWF).
Act Now! Protect and restore threatened habitats. (4K/5 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (WWF).
The last trees of Ethiopia? (4K/25 min.). Director & Producer. (University Ghent, DIE).
Geographies of Media (4K/2+5+25 min.). Director & Producer. (University Bonn).
Geography of Environmental Risks & Human Security - Mozambique (4K/25+10min.) Director & Producer. (UNU).
International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (4K/2+5+10 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (VSF, ILRI).
Human Geography Excursion (4K/10 min. x 5). Director & Producer. (University Bonn, DFG).
Forest Governance & Restoration (4K/15 min. x6). Director & Producer. (European Forest Institute).
Greening Africa (4K/50 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (SoLogical Foundation, Stichting Wees een Kans).
Let's grow the future together (4K/7 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (UNCCD).
Climate Emergency & Restoration: time for action! (4K/14 min.). Director & Producer & Writer. (GIU).
The Global Landscape Forum in Bonn, New York, Accra & Luxembourg (4K/4x3 min.). Director & Producer. (GLF, GIU).
Novel Ecosystem & The Mountain Legacy Project (4K/10+8 min.). Director & Producer. (DFG, University Victoria).
The End of Famine (4K/35 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (DIE, UNCCD, WFP, University Ghent).
When the skies ran dry (4K/40 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (UNCCD, UNU)
Future-making Africa (4K/12 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (DFG, University Bonn).
Ecosystem-based adaptation in Mauritania & Nepal (4K/20 min.). Producer & Writer. (IEMP).
Seeing Change (4K/14 min.) Director, Producer & Writer. (SoLogical Foundation).
Greening Kilimanjaro (4K/5 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (Embassy of the Earth).
Ethio trees’ initiatives in Ethiopia (4K/7 min.) Director, Producer & Writer. (University Ghent, Ethio Trees).
Drought resilience - instant responses & long-term solutions (2K+HD/15 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (UNCCD, DIE).
Drought resilience - UNCCD COP Ordos China (2K+HD/5 min.) Director, Producer & Writer. (UNCCD, DIE).
The rituals of restoration (HD/12 min.). Director & Producer. (Stichting Wees een Kans).
Planting Prosperity - Greening Peru (HD/15 min.). Director & Producer (Pachamama Raymi Trust).
The re-discovery of humanity - ecosystem restoration and migration. (2K/28 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (UNCCD, World Bank, IUCN).
Forests for the Future - Ecosystem restoration in Ghana. (HD/25 min.). Director. (Form International).
Kofi Annan on Ecosystem Restoration (2K/8 min.). Director & Producer. (Kofi Annan Foundation).
The rules of degradation (HD/12 min.). Director, Producer & Writer. (SoLogical Foundation).
North Korea - The Paektu Volcano - (HD/uncut) Pre-Prod. Assessment. (Werner Herzog Productions).
Sunny Side of Doc in Chengdu - The Environmental Film in China (HD/15 min. x 4). Presenter. (Chengdu TV).
Ecosystem Restoration, Conservation and Religion: Healing the Earth and the Human Spirit (HD/ 16 min.). Executive Director. (CEM, IUCN).
Finding Common Ground in South Africa - Baviaanskloof Restoration. (HD/53 min.). Director. (Commonland Foundation).
The Promise of the Commons (HD/22 min.). Director & Producer. (Foundation for Ecological Security).
Underground Forests of West Africa (HD/12 min.). Executive Director. (UNCCD).
The Blue Gold of the Aztecs - Watershed restoration in Mexico (HD/14 min.) Executive Director & Director of Photography. (UNCCD).
Ecological Security in India - Reclaiming the Commons (HD/12 min.). Executive Director & Director of Photography. (UNCCD).
Food Security and Landscape Transformation in Ethiopia (HD/30 min.). Scientific Researcher & Editor. (DFID).
What If We Change - TV Series (HD/25 min. x12). Co-Producer. (Link TV, CCTV 9, Citizen TV).
What If We Change - A Documentary on Ecosystem Restoration (HD/50 min.). Co-Producer. (IUCN).
Threaten Species of China: The Oriental Stork (HD/4 min.). Associate Producer. (Tianjin TV).
Perennial Paradise - Permaculture in Australia (HD/30 min.). Editor. (PIA).
Andrew’s Experimental Research Forest, Oregon (HD/uncut). Director of Photography. (IUCN, USFS).
Combating Soil degradation in Turkey: The history of TEMA (HD/12 min.). Scientific Researcher & Editor. (UNCCD).
Eco-School Concept in Uganda (HD/15 min.). Director, Producer & Camera. (UNCCD).
Jane Goodall - Restoring Earth (HD/8 min.). Editor. (JG-Institute).
Rio+20 - Choosing the Path to Sustainability (HD/15 min.). Scientific Researcher & Director of Photography. (REMA, UNEP).
Rwanda - Emerging in a Changing Climate (HD/30 min.). Scientific Researcher & Director of Photography. (CDKN, REMA).
The Costs of Industrialization: Public Health and Cancer (HD/10 min. x3). Associate Producer. (Tangshan TV).
Miyun - Watershed restoration for China’s capital (HD/15 min.). Produced, written & directed. (IUCN China).
Forests keep Drylands Working (HD/25 min.) Scientific Researcher & Editor. (UNCCD).
Rwanda - Forests of Hope (HD/30 min.). Assistant Editor. (REMA, UNEP).
In Search of Sustainability – Restoring India’s Garo Hills (HD/10 min.). Filmed, written & directed. (IUCN).
Green Call for Mongolia (HD/30 min.). Editor. (World Bank).
Rwanda – Back to the Garden (HD/30 min.). Scientific Researcher & Camera. (REMA, UNEP).
Green Call for China - Concerto (HD/30 min.). Assistant Editor. (World Bank).
Forest Restoration in Nepal (HD/9 min.). Produced, written & directed. (EEMP).
Four Stories on Ecosystem Restoration in Taiwan (HD/13 min.). Produced, written & directed. (EEMP).
Hope in a Changing Climate (HD/30 min.). Assistant to the Director & Scientific Researcher. (BBC).
The Next Steppe – Energy Efficiency in Mongolia (HD/30 min.). Sound Engineer. (World Bank).
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Report (HD/9 min.). Research Assistant. (UNEP).
Reshaping Economic Geography (HD/30 min.). Audio Assistant. (World Bank).
Regional news reporting (HD/2 min. x8). Location Assistant. (NDR).
Kensho - Japanische Freiheit (SD/8 min.). Associate Producer. (Experimental).
Tatort - Flashback (32 mm/90 min.). Set Assistant. (SWR).
A Hard Day’s Night (SD/35 min.). Produced, written & directed. (Experimental).
Morning Glory (8 mm/16 min.). Produced, written & directed. (Experimental).
Selected Public Speakings
2024. UNFCC COP Riyadh - Mobility Matters: In the Footsteps of Pastoralists, People’s Day, Saudi Arabia
2024. The Intergovernmental Working Group on Drought - Innovative Finance Mechanisms to Combat Drought, La Serena, Chile
2023. Jefferson Invest – Live (online) - The Economics of Drought
Global Landscape Forum Live - Rangeland Event, Germany (event video)
UNCCD - Desertification and Drought Day 2020, Germany (event video)
German Development Institute - Drought Event, Germany (event video)
UNFCC COP Madrid - Action Hub, Spain (event video)
University of Victoria - Mountain Legacy Summit, Canada
UNCCD COP Ordos - Land for Life Day, China
Critical Geography Bremen - Conference, Germany
Geographical Society Bremen - Event, Germany
University of Wageningen - Summer School on Ecosystem Restoration, The Netherlands
Society for Ecological Restoration - Conference, Manchester, Great Britain
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Initiative of Change, Caux, Switzerland
City Council, Kigali, Rwanda
Nil Forum, Kigali, Rwanda
Center for Conflict Management, Huye, Rwanda
Water Forum, Hong Kong, China
International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Beijing, China
International Science & Technology Book Fair, Pyongyang, North Korea