The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), one of the world's largest scientific organizations, appointed Dr. Ludwig Stroink, Head of Projects & International Affairs at the GFZ, as its new Secretary General at its 37th World Congress in Busan, Korea. At the same time, the IUGS General Assembly awarded the 38th International Geological Congress (IGC), 2028, to Calgary, Canada.  

Together with the other members of the IUGS Executive Committee (ExCom), comprising the new President, Hassina Mouri from South Africa, Past-President, John Ludden, Great Britain, two Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer and four “Councilors”, the Secretary General manages the activities of one of the largest scientific organizations in the world. The IUGS currently represents more than 1 million geoscientists from over 120 countries. Ludwig Stroink had already been a member of the Executive Committee from 2020-2024 as a Councilor. His term as Secretary General will end in 2028.

The General Assembly also decided on the venue for the upcoming International Geological Congress (IGC), which will take place in Calgary, Canada, in August 2028. Calgary prevailed with an overwhelming majority over Glasgow and Melbourne.

About the IUGS

“IUGS promotes and encourages the study of geological problems, especially those of world-wide significance, and supports and facilitates international and interdisciplinary cooperation in the Earth sciences.

IUGS gives special consideration to: a) international standards; b) geoscience education; c) geoscience information; d) environmental management and hazards.

IUGS works through topic specific Commissions, Task Groups, and Initiatives as well as Joint Programmes with other organizations, that are concerned with a wide range of geologic research of direct interest to governments, industry, and academic groups within the Earth sciences.”

(From the IUGS Website: https://www.iugs.org/history)

About Ludwig Stroink

Dr Ludwig Stroink has headed the ‘International Cooperation’ department at the GFZ since 2010 and ‘Projects & International Affairs’ since 2020. During this time, he was also spokesman for the Helmholtz Association's ‘International Affairs’ working group (2015-2022), advisor to the Omani government on the establishment of a non-university research centre in Muscat (2013-2016) and ‘Innovation Lead’ in the Co-Location Centre CLC-Berlin of the Climate-KIC (2010-2014) (KIC stands for Knowledge Innovation Community, the operational base within the ‘European Institute of Innovation & Technology’ EIT). Ludwig Stronik is also 2nd Chairman and Managing Director of the ‘Friends and Sponsors of the GFZ – GFZ Friends’. 

His activities in the context of research and international affairs have been honoured several times. The concept ‘Together for a Better Climate – Active Science Diplomacy with Russia – BRIDGE’ received the main prize ‘Education and Science Diplomacy’ including €75,000 from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in 2021. In 2017, the concept ‘The international Geo-Campus Potsdam/Berlin – Enhancing the international visibility of GFZ and the Geo.X Network to capitalise a worldwide unique constellation of research and training opportunities’ submitted by the GFZ International Office was awarded the main prize in the nationwide ideas competition ‘International Research Marketing’ and €100,000 by the German Research Foundation DFG.

Before joining the GFZ, Stroink was Head of the GEOTECHNOLOGIEN R&D programme from 2000 and Scientific Secretary of the DFG Senate Commission for Joint Geoscientific Research from 1992 to 1999. Ludwig Stroink studied geology at RWTH Aachen University, where he also completed his doctorate. He also completed modules of the additional study programme ‘Environmental Protection’.