The European Geosciences Union (EGU) is the leading organisation for Earth, planetary and space science research in Europe. The activities of the European Geosciences Union are organised in scientific divisions.

Two scientists from the German Research Centre for Geosciences have now been elected as presidents of scientific divisions. Dr. Kristen Cook is elected president of the EGU's Geomorphology Division, while Priv. Doz. Dr. Heidi Kreibich will chair the Natural Hazards Division. The Natural Hazard Division is one of the divisions that has existed since the founding of the EGU and is one of the largest. After a transition year (2022) as presidents elect for their respective divisions, both scientists will begin their two-year terms at the EGU General Assembly in April 2023.

The appointment is also notable in that the GFZ now provides three of the total of 22 division presidents of the EGU. Dr. Phillip Jousset currently holds the chair of the Seismology Division.

With its annual General Assembly, the EGU organises the largest and most important event in the European geosciences. Far beyond Europe, it brings together geoscientists from all over the world. It is a forum where scientists, especially also young scientists, present their work and discuss their ideas with experts from all areas of the geosciences. The meeting's sessions cover a wide range of topics, including hydrology & meteorology, remote sensing, natural hazards & society, geomorphology, weathering & sediment transport, tectonics & volcanology. This year more than 18,000 people from 135 countries attended. The next General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union will be held in Vienna (and virtual) from 3 to 8 April 2022. The Division Presidents are responsible for the program of their division in close cooperation with the session conveners. They support the outreach and educational activities of the EGU and organize as well as contribute to the division website, bogs and social media outreach. Presidents take also an active part in the EGU publications, among other things. The EGU publishes a number of scientific journals in an innovative open access format. Heidi Kreibich is also executive editor of the EGU journal Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences - NHESS.