Christopher Garthe is head of consulting and concept development at studio klv and is the primary contact for all questions relating to sustainability in exhibitions, museums and visitor centers.

He studied geography, nature conservation, and landscape planning with a focus on ‘Education for Sustainable Development’. After completing his postgraduate studies in specialized journalism, he worked as an environmental journalist and environmental educator. In 2015, he earned his PhD on the topic of recreation and education in national parks.

Christopher Garthe works from the studio klv branch office in Freiburg im Breisgau. His passion for sustainability and social transformation is reflected in his work as a lecturer, author, and blogger. He also serves as a consultant and volunteers for both national and international networks and research projects.

In collaboration with museum experts, he has also developed the instrument of sustainability management in museums and visitor centers.

Education

Doctorate (Dr.-Ing.) on the subject of “Recreation and Education in National Parks”,

Graduation as Diplom-Geographer, University of Hannover and Université Joseph Fourier de Grenoble

Berufsbegleitendes Studium Part-time studies “Adult Education and Lifelong Learning”, Humboldt University of Berlin

Graduation as Diplom-Journalist, German School of Journalism, Berlin.

Publications (selection)

Publisher of the blog:

https://ausstellung-museum-nachhaltigkeit.de

Garthe, C.: Sustainable Scenography. A Manifesto. Berlin, studio klv. 2023.

Garthe, C.: The Sustainable Museum. How Museums Contribute to the Great Transformation. Abingdon, Routledge 2023.

Garthe, C.: Ökologische Nachhaltigkeit im Museum. Konzepte, Instrumente und Empfehlungen. Zürich, Verband der Museen der Schweiz VMS, Zürich 2023.

Garthe, C.: Das nachhaltige Museum. Vom nachhaltigen Betrieb zur gesellschaftlichen Transformation. Bielefeld, transcript 2022.

Garthe, C.: Weshalb Museumspädagogik eine zentrale Rolle in der Transformation des Museumssektors spielt. In: Standbein Spielbein –Museumspädagogik aktuell 01/2022. S. 9-15.

Garthe, C.: Klimaschutz im Museum. Herzstück oder Feigenblatt eines systemischen Wandels? In: Kulturmanagement Magazin 158, Weimar 2021.

Garthe, C.: Sustainability Management in Museums. A new Approach to Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. In: ICOM Voices 2020.

Garthe, C.: Das nachhaltige Museum – ein Leitbild für die Zukunft? In: Backmeister-Collacott, I. et al.: museOn Abschlussbericht. Freiburg 2020.

Garthe, C.: The Natural Futures Museums – Interactivity and Participation in Museums of Natural History. In: Dorfman, E.: The Future of the National History Museum, Routledge 2017.

Garthe, C.; Peter, M.: Engagement for a sustainable future – Education for sustainable development as a concept for science centres and museums. In: Spokes magazine 04/2014. 12-17pp.

Garthe, C.: Natur- und Kulturinterpretation als Instrument der Waldpädagogik. In: Röhling, H.-G. & Zellmer, H. (Hrsg.): Landschaften lesen lernen – Schriftenreihe der DGG, Heft 56. Hannover 2008. S. 63–70.

Garthe, C.: Bildungsaktivitäten in Nationalparken – Ökologische Auswirkungen einschätzen, untersuchen und minimieren. In: Langenhorst, B.; Lude, A.; Bittner, A.: Wildnisbildung. Neue Perspektiven für Großschutzgebiete. Oekom, München 2014. S. 255-286.

Garthe, C.: Erholung und Bildung in Nationalparken: Gesellschaftliche Einstellungen, ökologische Auswirkungen und Ansätze für ein integratives Besuchermanagement. Hamburg, Dr. Kovac 2015.

Garthe, C.: Tourismus und Sport in Schutzgebieten. Mit Fallstudien aus Deutschland und Ghana. Hamburg 2005.

Engagement

Member of the partner network Extracurricular Educational Worlds in the World Action Programme Education for Sustainable Development.

Member of the Committee for Museums and Collections of Natural History (NATIHIST), International Council of Museums (ICOM).

Member of the Nature Group of the European network of science centres and museums (ECSITE).

Member of the Scientific Committee of the European Association for Heritage Interpretation (Interpret Europe).

Member of the Tourism and Protected Areas Specialist Group (TAPAS) in the World Commission on Protected Areas of the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN), Gland, Switzerland.