Committees of the Leibniz Association
The Administrative Committee consists of the administrative directors of the Leibniz Institutes and plays a role in shared decision-making in administrative matters within the Leibniz Association. It serves as a platform for networking and sharing information and experience among the administrative directors, adopts statements, positions, and recommendations, especially on commercial, legal, financial and organisational matters, and advises the Board and the Executive Board. It also makes its specialist expertise available in other areas.
The Committee delegates a spokesperson to the Executive Board and sends the President a candidate from among its members for election to the Board. It usually meets three times a year.
The Spokespersons’ Council of the Administrative Committee, which was founded in 2019, consists of the Spokesperson of the Administrative Committee, the Deputy Spokespersons and 13 other elected members of the Administrative Committee. The aim of the Spokespersons’ Council is to make best use of the expertise of the Administrative Committee, particularly with regard to strategic content and research policy issues. It coordinates the work of the Administrative Committee and the topics it deals with, ensures the committee is able to work and act in accordance with the statutes between meetings, and carries out preparatory work for the Administrative Committee in terms of identifying topics and preparing positions, statements and resolutions.
Spokesperson
Dr Birgit Schröder-Smeibidl
German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE)
T +49 33200 882 221
admin.vorstand(at)dife.deDeputy Spokespersons
Dr Katharina Peters
Deutsches Primatenzentrum - Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung (DPZ), Göttingen
T +49 551 3851 114
kpeters(at)dpz.euBirgit Austen
Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel)
T +49 43 18814 234
birgit.austen(at)ifw-kiel.deContact at Leibniz Headquarters
Jasmine Henz
Leibniz Association
T +49 30 206049 221
henz(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.deThe members of the Leibniz Association form five sections which reflect its scientific profile and expertise. The main tasks of the sections are to drive the sharing of scientific experience and cooperation and to promote junior researchers. The sections are involved in developing the evaluation criteria. Business is conducted at section conferences which are held regularly. Every section chooses a spokesperson who represents them on the Executive Board and other committees.
Section A - Humanities and Educational Research
Spokesperson
Prof. Henning Lobin
Leibniz Institute for the German Language (IDS), Mannheim
T +49 62 11581 126
lobin@ids-mannheim.deDeputy Spokesperson
Prof. Cordula Artelt
Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi), Bamberg
T +49 95 18632 060
cordula.artelt(at)lifbi.deContact at Leibniz Headquarters
Dr Marvin Bähr
Leibniz Association
T +49 30 206049 616
baehr(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.deScientific Profile of Section A
Section B - Economics, Social Sciences, Spatial Research
Spokesperson
Prof. Christof Wolf
GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Mannheim and Cologne
T +49 621 1246 149
christofwolf(at)gesis.orgDeputy Spokesperson
Prof. Clemens Fuest
ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich
T +49 89 92241 430
fuest(at)ifo.deContact at Leibniz Headquarters
Dr Julia Schmid
Leibniz Association
T +49 30 206049 618
schmid(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.deScientific profile of Section B
Section C - Life Sciences
Spokesperson
Prof. Jörg Overmann
Leibniz-Institute DSMZ–German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig
T +49 53 12616 352
joerg.overmann(at)dsmz.deDeputy Spokesperson
Prof. Veronika Somoza
Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich (LSB)
T +49 81 61712 700
v.somoza.leibniz-lsb(at)tum.deContact at Leibniz Headquarters
Dr Gitta Heinz
Leibniz Association
T +49 30 20604 960
g.heinz(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.deScientific profile of section C
Section D - Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Engineering
Spokesperson
Prof. Albert Sickmann
Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften – ISAS – e.V., Dortmund - Berlin
T +49 23 11392 100
albert.sickmann(at)isas.deDeputy Spokesperson
Dr Thomas Schröder
Leibniz-Institut für Kristallzüchtung (IKZ), Berlin
T +49 30 63923 001
thomas.schroeder(at)ikz-berlin.deContact at Leibniz Headquarters
Dr Felix Kießling
Leibniz Association
T +49 30 206049 615
kiessling(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.descientific profile of section D
Section E - Environmental Research
Spokesperson
Prof. Frank Ewert
Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg
T +49 33 43282 200
wiss.direktor(at)zalf.de
Deputy Spokesperson
Prof. Andreas Macke
Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS), Leipzig
T +49 34 12353 210
andreas.macke(at)tropos.deContact at Leibniz Headquarters
Claire Nicolas
Leibniz Association
T +49 30 206049 612
nicolas(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.deThe Standing Committee on Research Infrastructure Facilities and Research Museums is a forum for sharing experience and collaboration and also advises the Executive Board on all matters relating to research infrastructure at Leibniz institutions, including eight Leibniz research museums. The committee is headed by a member of the Board. According to the statutes, the committee must include the scientific directors of institutions that have considerable research infrastructure responsibilities.
25 Leibniz institutions are currently members of the standing committee and four additional Leibniz institutions are represented via Section mandates. The spokespersons of the Leibniz working groups on libraries, archives and research data take part in the standing committee’s meetings as guests.
Spokesperson
Prof. Barbara Sturm
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Potsdam
T +49 03 315699 100
barbara.sturm(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.deDeputy Spokesperson
Prof. Marc Rittberger
DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Frankfurt am Main
T +49 69 24708 327
m.rittberger(at)dipf.deContact at Leibniz Headquarters
Dr Lisa Kressin
Leibniz Association
T +49 30 20604 953
kressin(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.de
Working Groups
The archives of the Leibniz Association hold a significant part of Germany’s scientific and technical heritage in safekeeping. It aims to document the diversity and national academic significance of the Leibniz Association. The different thematic collections at the archives complement each other to create a broadly-based collection. The Archives Working Group seeks to enhance networking between the relevant institutions and utilise synergies in the respective fields of work by active information and experience sharing. The group also promotes the public image of the archives. One focus of work is the development of an agreed collection strategy. The Archives Working Group meets twice a year.
Spokespersons
Dr Esther Howell
Leibniz Institute for Contemporary History (IfZ), Munich
T +49 89 12688 127
howell(at)ifz-muenchen.deDr Maria Schäpers
Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum – Leibniz-Forschungsmuseum für Georessourcen (DBM)
T +49 234 5877 119
maria.schaepers(at)bergbaumuseum.deCitizen Science is the active participation of citizens in research, often in collaboration with full-time scientists. The Leibniz Working Group Citizen Science pools the activities and competencies in the field of Citizen Science within the Leibniz Association and to actively introduce the topic of Citizen Science into the scientific and strategic discourse. It is aimed at researchers and coordinators of Citizen Science projects at Leibniz Institutes. The Working Group meets usually once a year.
Spokesperson
Dr Miriam Brandt
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin
brandt(at)izw-berlin.deCo-Spokesperson
Dr Julia Krohmer
Senckenberg Society for Nature Research - Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN), Frankfurt am Main
julia.krohmer(at)senckenberg.deThe aim of the Dual Training Working Group is to promote networking and professional development among trainers within the Leibniz Association. In addition to expert presentations on training-related topics, it offers trainers a chance to share views on current topics and issues. The working group meets twice a year.
Spokeperson
Elvira Heick
GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Cologne
T +49 0221 47694 109
elvira.heick(at)gesis.orgThe Equal Opportunities and Diversity Working Group is dedicated to implementing the goals enshrined in the association’s statutes. The equality officers of the Leibniz institutions and individuals who are involved with diversity issues regularly exchange ideas within the working group. It is represented by the spokeswomen’s council that comprises ten elected equal opportunities officers from all sections as well as the Diversity Spokesperson and her deputy. The chairwoman of the spokeswomen’s council attends Senate meetings and general meetings of members as a guest. The working group’s guidelines on equal opportunities in the Leibniz Association provide information about the association’s equality work and actions in the area of equal opportunities. The annual equal opportunities conference is organised jointly by the Leibniz Association and the Equal Opportunities and Diversity Working Group.
Spokesperson
Dr Christine von Bloh
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
T +49 33 12882 659
cvbloh(at)pik-potsdam.deThe areas covered by the Europe Working Group are project applications and project management, research policy developments and the development of framework programmes. The working group works closely with the Europe Office, for instance when drawing up statements on European research policy. It maintains good relations with the European Liaison Office of the German Research Organisations (KoWi) and with the National Contact Points (NKS). Members of the working group are entitled to take part in the KoWi Mentoring Programme. The working group cooperates closely with the National Working Group of EU Funding Advisors at German Universities and Colleges (BAK). It meets twice a year.
Spokespersons
Nora Feiden
Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe (IVW), Kaiserslautern
nora.feiden(at)ivw.uni-kl.deDana Urban-Thielicke
Halle Institute for Economic Research – Member of the Leibniz Association (IWH), Halle
Dana.Urban-Thielicke(at)iwh-halle.deThe Finance Working Group is an open group of administrative heads of Leibniz institutions. Its members share best practice on finance-related topics and draw up position statements. They support the Executive Board, Administrative Committee and Leibniz Headquarters on finance-related decisions and collaborate on advanced training measures.
Spokespersons
Muriel Büsser
Leibniz-Institut für Finanzmarktforschung SAFE
T +49 69 79834 006
buesser(at)safe-frankfurt.deJosefine Köhler
Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)
T +49 394825 822
koehler(at)ipk-gatersleben.deUrsula Noack
WZB Berlin Social Science Center
T +49 30 25491 616
ursula.noack(at)wzb.euNikolas Rudolph
German Primate Center – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research (DPZ)
T +49 55 13851 220
Rudolph(at)dpz.euThomas Saueracker
Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi)
T +49 95 18633 494
Thomas.Saueracker(at)lifbi.deThe regular meetings of the Leibniz institutions involved in the International Affairs Working Group are used to share information and ideas on topics of international relevance and on successful funding and cooperation formats. The aim of the working group is to provide peer support to help the Leibniz Institutes position themselves competitively on the international stage. Joint projects are also initiated, discussed and developed further within the group, leading to the establishment of regional and subject interest groups, such as the Eastern Europe Network and the Leibniz in Africa initiative. Together, they develop strategies, projects and communication formats and position themselves at national and international level.
Spokespersons
Gabriele Hamm
Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Jena
T +49 36 41206 327
gabriele.hamm(at)leibniz-ipht.deDr Stefan Sieber
Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg
T +49 33 43282 125
stefan.sieber(at)zalf.deEfficient, secure provision of IT services forms the basis of a large number of business processes in the association’s research and administrative operations. The IT Working Group provides a discussion forum for IT officers, where they can work on problems together, find solutions in cross-Sectional discussions and share best practice. The IT Working Group meets twice a year.
Spokesperson
Dr Frank Lindemann
ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, Kiel
T +49 43 18814 437
f.lindemann(at)zbw-online.euThe Knowledge Transfer Working Group helps the knowledge transfer officers and other interested members of Leibniz institutions share their experiences. It provides an information platform on all aspects of knowledge transfer, including different knowledge transfer forms and strategies. The Knowledge Transfer Working Group supports the Executive Board with the conceptual development of transfer activities. This includes, in particular, advising the Executive Board and President directly and drawing up official statements on developments in the field of knowledge transfer. The working group is open to all interested Leibniz Association institutions. It generally meets twice a year.
Spokespersons
Udo Krause
Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, Dresden (IFW)
T +49 351 4659 424
u.krause(at)ifw-dresden.deRebecca Lahl
Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Bremen
T +49 421 23800 163
rebecca.lahl(at)leibniz-zmt.deBabette Regierer
Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), Großbeeren
T +49 33701 78 351
regierer(at)igzev.deKathleen Röllig
Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Berlin
T +49 0049 305168 122
roellig(at)izw-berlin.deDörte Valenthin
Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Greifswald
T +49 3834 554 3909
doerte.valenthin(at)inp-greifswald.deThe Legal and HR Working Group is for the institutions to share experience on legal and HR matters. It is open to all employees with responsibility for legal affairs within the Leibniz institutions and to HR and administrative managers. The working group advises the Executive Board of the Leibniz Association on legal and HR affairs. It also networks with specialists from other research organisations.
Spokesperson
Ilona Kellermann
Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi), Bamberg
T +49 951 70060 296
ilona.kellermann(at)lifbi.deMarianna Schmaus
RWI – Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Essen
T +49 201 8149 268
marianna.Schmaus(at)rwi-essen.deJuliane Schmidt
Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden (IFW)
T +49 351 4659 200
office-kd(at)ifw-dresden.deThe Libraries and Information Centres Working Group promotes information sharing amongst all the libraries and information centres in the Leibniz Association. It pools the Leibniz Association’s considerable economic potential in this sector. The German central libraries and other specialist information centres are particularly impressive examples of this potential. Through networking, general framework agreements and by forming consortiums, the working group optimises the benefits for all members. It meets in a plenary session once a year and maintains ties to equivalent committees within other research organisations. A spokesperson council consisting of nine working group members meets two or three times a year.
Spokesperson
Simon Rettelbach
DIPF | Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education, Frankfurt am Main
T +49 69 24708 430
s.rettelbach(at)dipf.deThe Open Access Working Group deals with the implementation of open access within the Leibniz Association and its member institutions. Its duties include managing the LeibnizOpen portal and developing model open access policies for the institutions. The working group runs workshops for the open access officers and represents the Leibniz Association in working groups on this topic, including Digital Information, an initiative launched by the Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany, and Science Europe. Its members regularly exchange views on publication management, quality assurance and open access with other research organisations.
Spokesperson
Dr Sarah Dellmann
TIB – Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology, Hannover
T +49 511 7624 005
sarah.dellmann(at)tib.euThe Press Working Group is a forum for sharing experience on questions of press and public relationship work. It also develops concepts and measures for internal and external communications of the Leibniz Association.
Selbstverständnis der Wissenschaftskommunikation in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft (PDF)
Spokesperson
Mirjam Kaplow
Leibniz Association
T +49 30 20604 942
kaplow(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.deThe Research Data Working Group supports implementation and further development of the Guidelines on the Handling of Research Data within the Leibniz Association. It plays an active role in monitoring the opportunities and challenges of this area through discussions, position statements and events. Its members come from across the Sections and represent research institutions and research infrastructure facilities. The working group is involved in the activities of Digital Information, an initiative launched by the Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany, and other inter-organisational working groups on research data.
Spokesperson
Dr Janna Neumann
TIB – Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology, Hannover
T +49 51 17623 420
janna.neumann(at)tib.euWebsite Research Data Working Group
Forschungsdaten in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
Leitlinie zum Umgang mit Forschungsdaten in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft (PDF)
The Sustainability Management Working Group provides information and shares experience, with the aim of promoting networking between sustainability actors within the Leibniz Association, helping Leibniz Association employees develop and implement sustainability management systems, and increasing the visibility of the Leibniz institutions’ sustainability initiatives – both within the association and among target groups in the wider population. The working group is primarily aimed at administrative managers, scientific managers and sustainability officers of the Leibniz institutions.
Spokesperson's Council
Felix Neß
Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics (IHP), Frankfurt Oder
T +49 33 55625 758
ness(at)ihp-microelectronics.comClaire Nicolas
Leibniz Association
T +49 30 206049 612
nicolas(at)leibniz-gemeinschaft.deDr Matthias Premke-Kraus
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW)
T +49 381 5197 102
matthias.premke-kraus(at)io-warnemuende.deDr Franziska Ringleb
Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin
T +49 30 94793 286
ringleb(at)fmp-berlin.deDr Ina Severin
Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Berlin
T +49 30 64181 648
severin(at)igb-berlin.de
JAN KONITZKI