German Museum Appoints New Leadership Figure - Museum in Germany appoints new leadership figure
A seasoned physicist from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is poised to assume the role of General Director at the German Museum in Munich, succeeding Wolfgang M. Heckl, who will retire after over two decades in the position come June 1st. Michael Decker, aged 59, will not only lead the esteemed technology and science museum but will also take on the chair for science communication at the Technical University (TUM). According to Bavarian Arts Minister Markus Blume (CSU), Decker's scientific expertise and prior management experience make him the ideal candidate for a Leibniz research museum and a popular tourist attraction.
Farewell ceremonies for Heckl and inauguration for Decker have been scheduled for June 2nd. Notably, Decker is a member of the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) and chairs the advisory board "INSIGHT - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Societal and Technological Change" of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
The German Museum is a part of the Leibniz Association and maintains several locations, including main buildings in Munich and Nuremberg, as well as branches in Bonn and the Traffic Center on Munich's Theresienhöhe. The Munich main building undergoes a comprehensive renovation and modernization project expected to conclude in 2028.
During his tenure, Heckl played a significant role in strengthening the partnership between the German Museum and the European Patent Office (EPO) in Munich, fostering innovation and technology exchange in the region. The appointment of a new director reflects the ongoing efforts to advance technology and cultural heritage in Germany.
- Michael Decker, as he assumes the role of General Director at the German Museum, will aim to further the museum's emphasis on science and technology, leveraging his position as a member of the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) and his chairmanship of the advisory board "INSIGHT."
- Under Decker's leadership, the German Museum, a Leibniz Association member, will continue its mission to bridge the gap between technology, science, and the environment, particularly as it embarks on a comprehensive renovation of its Munich main building, scheduled to conclude in 2028.
