It is the goal of Senckenberg’s research to gain a better understanding of the earth system. Senckenberg’s roughly 300 scientists work in four large research areas:
Biodiversity and systematics and evolution
Biodiversity and people
Biodiversity and climate
Biodiversity and earth system dynamics
Senckenberg’s headquarters are located in Frankfurt on the Main. In addition, the institute is represented with eleven other locations in Dresden, Gelnhausen, Görlitz, Hamburg, Jena, Messel, Müncheberg, Schöningen, Tübingen, Weimar and Wilhelmshaven.
The Senckenberg scientists work on projects on a global scale – from the deep sea to the high plateaus of Tibet. They cooperate with colleagues at renowned institutions from over 100 countries around the world.
The Senckenberg institutes offer an excellent, top-of-the-line research infrastructure – including DNA laboratories, mass spectrometers, and computer tomographs, as well as a data and modeling centre. The research collections – which count among the world’s largest, with 45 million units – represent unique natural archives and form the indispensable basis for numerous research projects.
Senckenberg places special emphasis on making research and science available to the public – a commitment that was already laid down in the society’s statutes over 200 years ago. In its museums in Frankfurt, Görlitz and Dresden, Senckenberg vividly displays the beauty and functioning of nature. Every year, almost 500,000 people come to visit. Besides that, Senckenberg also offers the public a chance for active participation: the society’s membership has reached 8,000, and the public can further participate in “citizen science” projects, such as wildlive monitoring or participation in excavations.
