Heike Riel is the new president of the DPG

Since the DPG was founded in 1845, Heike Riel is only the second woman to head the DPG (following Johanna Stachel, who served as DPG President from 2012 to 2014). Heike Riel thus succeeds Klaus Richter, who, in accordance with the DPG’s statutes, cannot be re-elected and will take up the post of Vice-President in accordance with the rotation system. The previous Vice-President, Joachim Ullrich, is also stepping down from the DPG Executive Board as part of the rotation.

During her presidency, Heike Riel intends to focus primarily on the following areas:

• Strengthening physics across the board – encompassing both fundamental research and applied physics. She believes both are equally important pillars of scientific excellence and indispensable for industrial innovation, economic competitiveness and technological leadership.
• Promoting scientific and international exchange, as well as creative communication, to enhance the visibility and appreciation of physics among the general public.
• Furthermore, Heike Riel wishes to make a special effort to attract young people to physics – enthusiasm and fascination for physics-related topics should be sparked as early as at school.

Heike Riel also wishes to draw on the ‘spirit’ of the International Year of Quantum Science, which came to a close in Ghana in February 2026: "As the DPG, we must make use of the experiences gained during the Year of Quantum Science and the wide range of ideas for activities that emerged from it to reach even more young people and inspire them to take an interest in physics. The nationwide German Young Physicists’ Tournament, organised by the DPG and the University of Ulm, is also a very successful example that shows how even pupils can be inspired by physics-related questions and research work. Attracting young scientists, particularly women, is crucial for the future of our society, physics and the DPG!” says Heike Riel. She calls for greater enthusiasm, visibility and appreciation for physics in society – through better communication and targeted support for young talent. “We need strong role models in physics,” is her appeal.

Furthermore, given the great significance of physical findings from basic research and the associated social and economic potential for innovation, she will advocate for greater exchange and dialogue between academic research and industry. Deepening cooperation with industry can translate knowledge into economic and societal benefits more quickly. This particularly encompasses future-oriented fields such as quantum technologies and artificial intelligence, which are fundamentally transforming computing and opening up new disruptive possibilities. This also requires continuous professional development, for which the DPG Academy is intended to provide key impetus. For in an age of rapid technological upheaval, lifelong learning remains indispensable. In this context, the industrial physicists organised within the DPG, among others, play an important role.

With the guiding principle “Progress arises from the courage to cross boundaries”, the President begins her term of office – with the aim of strengthening physics in the long term and raising its profile.

Find out more about Heike Riel and the goals of her presidency in the interview.