idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
On 20 March 2026, the glaciologist will take over as scientific director of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). To date, he has been active as the director of the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.
"The Alfred Wegener Institute is an internationally renowned institute for polar and marine research. Its outstanding expertise in numerous scientific disciplines, in addition to its international network and unique logistics and infrastructure, position it as one of the most attractive research centres in the world. It is a great pleasure and honour for me to be working here as scientific director in the future," says Prof Dr Hajo Eicken.
A native of Bremerhaven, he gained his doctorate from the University of Bremen in 1990. Up to 1997, he worked at the Alfred Wegener Institute in the field of oceanic and atmospheric physics. In 1998, he moved to the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, where he held a number of different scientific positions. For the past ten years, Hajo Eicken headed up the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) there. Marine ice research features as one of his core scientific areas.
"My many years of work in Alaska, especially as the director of the International Arctic Research Centre, have largely consisted of building bridges between the social sciences and natural sciences, between science and decision-makers in the political and business arena, and between academic research and indigenous forms of knowledge. This will also become increasingly important for the Alfred Wegener Institute in the future," says the glaciologist. "The integration of modern sensor systems and globally unique polar research platforms such as the new Polarstern into holistic questions of Earth system research is particularly exciting. Here, the AWI is also able to draw on enormous potential through partnerships in the region and beyond, which will be important to exploit in the coming years."
“The Alfred Wegener Institute is central to Germany’s outstanding position in the field of marine and polar research. I am therefore exceptionally pleased that we have been able to recruit Professor Hajo Eicken, an Arctic researcher of international renown, to join this key German institution. I wish him all the best in his new role as Scientific Director of AWI and I hope that AWI will continue to make outstanding contributions to marine and polar research under his leadership. Our research today leads to tomorrow’s value and increases resilience to the grand challenges of climate, environment and resource conservation,” said Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space.
Hajo Eicken is particularly looking forward to linking the AWI's expertise with local partners in politics and business, an area where a great deal of knowledge can be put into practice. He perceives great potential in providing technical advice to water and coastal protection authorities, for example.
“With Prof Dr Hajo Eicken, the Alfred Wegener Institute is gaining a top researcher as director who comes from our region and is returning here after an impressive international career. This clearly shows how attractive we are as a science location in Bremen and Bremerhaven. I am very much looking forward to working with Mr Eicken to explore future potential that will also have an impact here locally. Our coastal and marine areas, for example, are as sensitive as they are vital and worthy of protection. The Alfred Wegener Institute is able to make important contributions here,” as Dr Henrike Müller, Senator for Environment, Climate and Science of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen stated.
His career in Alaska has now brought him to a point where he will be able to complement the existing expertise at the Alfred Wegener Institute. Moreover, the 60-year-old scientist also appreciates the cooperative orientation of the Helmholtz Association. National and international cooperation is an important foundation for excellent research. In this context, he is able to draw on a network that he has built up over decades.
“Hajo Eicken is a strong and convincing choice for the AWI. He is one of the world’s leading polar researchers and brings a transatlantic perspective, which is becoming increasingly important in a changing world. I am looking forward to our exchange and cooperation – welcome back to Germany!” says Prof. Dr. Martin Keller, President of the Helmholtz Association.
In the upcoming years, the Alfred Wegener Institute will be involved in the International Polar Year, among other things, but also in many pioneering expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic. "It is a genuine stroke of luck for us to have now gained such an experienced top scientist in polar research as the future director of the AWI," says Prof Dr Maarten Boersma, the current acting director of the institute. “At a time when international Arctic research is facing major challenges, he brings exactly the experience and expertise we need to provide the right scientific impetus. The AWI holds an excellent position in international polar and marine research. With Hajo Eicken, we will now be able to further expand our partnerships.”
“I am happy that we have succeeded in recruiting the renowned scientist Hajo Eicken as the new director of the AWI. This is a great accomplishment – also for our university. The connection that will be created through the cooperative professorship is also a great benefit for the University of Bremen. I cordially congratulate Mr Eicken and we are very much looking forward to working together,” says Prof Dr Jutta Günther, Rector of the University of Bremen.
Further voices:
„A very warm welcome to Prof Hajo Eicken in his new role. Prof Eicken’s commitment to excellent science, strong international partnership and positive real-world impact ensure that he will provide successful and inspiring leadership to AWI, a world-leading science organisation. I look forward to working closely with him and all his colleagues in AWI, especially as we build up to the Fifth International Polar Year in 2032-33,” says Henry Burgess, President of the International Arctic Science Committee
Sandy Starkweather, NOAA, Executive Director - U.S. Arctic Observing Network, former Chair, Arctic Council/IASC SAON Board says: „Throughout his considerable tenure at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Hajo has been a leading voice in U.S. Arctic research, advancing nationally and internationally coordinated observing efforts through visionary leadership and inclusive engagement. He has consistently worked to amplify vital Indigenous perspectives and to build meaningful collaboration across Arctic and non-Arctic nations and diverse sectors. This makes Hajo uniquely positioned to foster high-impact partnerships at AWI, especially in preparation for the next International Polar Year, and expand its role in this global effort.“
https://www.awi.de/en/about-us/service/press.html Press release
The new director of the AWI - Hajo Eicken
Source: Chynna Lockett
Copyright: © IARC, UAF, Chynna Lockett
Criteria of this press release:
Business and commerce, Journalists, Scientists and scholars, Students, Teachers and pupils, all interested persons
Environment / ecology, Oceanology / climate
transregional, national
Miscellaneous scientific news/publications, Organisational matters
English
The new director of the AWI - Hajo Eicken
Source: Chynna Lockett
Copyright: © IARC, UAF, Chynna Lockett
You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.
You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).
Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.
You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).
If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).
