Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year 2026

An eventful year is drawing to a close – a fitting moment to look back together on what has been happening at the German Physical Society (DPG) over the past few months. At the same time, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to you – our members, supporters, and especially the numerous volunteers. Your commitment, your time, and your enthusiasm are the foundation for everything we achieve as a non-profit scientific society.

Frohe Weihnachten und alles Gute für das neue Jahr 2026 — We wish you merry Christmas!

Quantum2025 – 100 years are just the beginning ...

This year's focus was on the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025. The DPG took the lead in Germany and set numerous highlights with the Quantum2025 program. Following the festive kick-off event in January at Humboldt University in Berlin, a wide range of public formats for schools, students, researchers, and interested parties were realized. These included many nationwide activities that highlighted the importance of quantum physics for science, technology, and society. In addition, the 2nd DPG Autumn Conference was held in Göttingen on topics ranging from modern developments in quantum research to the historical significance of quantum mechanics. The quantum year in Germany ended with a spectacular closing ceremony and concert in the Halle Münsterland.

Scientific exchange at the highest level

From Bonn to Cologne and Regensburg to Göttingen, the 2025 spring conferences once again provided a broad forum for the physics community. Current developments from all areas of physics were discussed. Researchers from a wide range of disciplines came together to discuss progress, applications, and societal impacts. The conferences impressively demonstrated how vibrant physics research is in Germany and around the world. In November, the DPG also announced the winners of its 2026 awards, including the 2026 Max Planck Medal to Prof. Dr. Kurt Kremer from the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Polymer Research and the 2026 Stern-Gerlach Medal to Prof. Dr. Andrea Cavalleri from the MPI for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, as well as other prizes recognizing outstanding achievements in physics.

New DPG publication: Physics: Findings and Perspectives

A particular highlight of the year was the publication of the large-scale work “Physics: Findings and Perspectives.” Over 200 physicists from numerous disciplines contributed to this work. It makes fundamental insights into physics, current research priorities, applications and technological developments, as well as social issues and future perspectives, understandable and accessible. The book is freely available in both print and digital formats. With this publication, the DPG is sending an important signal for the open, understandable, and accessible communication of physical knowledge.

Responsibility of science

With its statements this year—in particular the Climate Appeal 2025, which unambiguously points to the urgency of scientifically sound climate protection measures—the DPG is taking a clear stance and calling for decisive political action. Supplemented by the Declaration for the Future and the Statement on Europe and the Future of Quantum Science, the DPG, together with its sister societies, makes it clear that research not only creates knowledge, but also has a duty to use it for climate protection, future-oriented politics, and the responsible further development of the European research landscape. In addition, the DPG issued a statement opposing the planned combined science subject in secondary level I and emphasized the importance of a sound science education.

Thanks to our members and volunteers

In 2025, it became clear once again that the strength of the DPG lies in its community. The organization of conferences, the co-design of programs, the contribution to publications, the supervision of working groups and specialist groups – all of this thrives on your commitment. We would like to express our sincere thanks to you for making the DPG an open, lively, and international network. Your commitment creates space for dialogue, scientific progress, and social exchange.

“AI – naturally with physics”: The DPG's theme for 2026

Next year, the DPG will focus on the theme “AI – naturally with physics” in order to highlight the close connection between physics and artificial intelligence for experts and society alike. We look forward to a new year full of inspiration, ideas, and joint projects.

We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas, relaxing holidays, good health, happiness, and a successful start to 2026 – accompanied by curiosity, inspiration, and scientific exchange.