The Directors

Heading RIFS in a dual leadership team: Prof. Doris Fuchs and Prof. Mark Lawrence (from left to right).

leadership team RIFS Doris Fuchs Mark Lawrence

Prof. Doris Fuchs is a Director of the Research Institute for Sustainability - Helmholtz Centre Potsdam (RIFS) since 1 October 2023, forming a dual leadership team alongside Professor Mark Lawrence. In addition to her work at RIFS, Doris Fuchs is also Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Münster, where she has worked since 2008 and, among other things, established the Center of Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research (ZIN).

Lawrence (right) has been a RIFS Director (formerly IASS) since October 2011 and originally led the Institute’s SIWA cluster (Sustainable Interactions with the Atmosphere). In December 2020, he assumed the duties of Managing Scientific Director.

Former directors

Until his retirement in September 2015, Professor Dr Klaus Töpfer was the Founding and Executive Director of the IASS. At the same time, he headed the GCS (Global Contract for Sustainability) Cluster.

Professor Dr Carlo Rubbia was a Scientific Director of the IASS from June 2010 to May 2015 with responsibility for the E³ (Earth, Energy and Environment) Cluster.

Prof. Dr Patrizia Nanz was a Scientific Director at the IASS from April 2016 to January 2021.

Jakob Meyer was an Administrative Director at the IASS from October 2017 to June 2022.

Prof. Dr Ortwin Renn was a Scientific Director from February 2016 to December 2022.