New appointment announced at German museum
Michael Decker Takes Reign as Director General of the German Museum in Munich
Physicist Michael Decker from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has been selected as the new Director General of the German Museum in Munich, effective June 1st. This appointment follows the retirement of current director, Wolfgang M. Heckl, who has led the museum for over 21 years.
Minister of Culture, Markus Blume (CSU), praised Decker's extensive scientific qualifications and leadership experience, stating, "His advancement at a Leibniz research museum and a crowd-puller is precisely what's needed."
In his current role at KIT, Decker leads the Information, Economy, and Society department. Upon his move to Munich, he will assume control over the esteemed Museum of Technology and Science, as well as the Chair for Science Communication at the Technical University (TUM). Decker's official inauguration and Heckl's farewell ceremonies are scheduled for June 2nd.
Alongside his lead at the museum, Decker also participates in scientific committees and organizations. He is a member of the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) in the working group "Fundamental Questions of Engineering Sciences," and chairs the advisory board "INSIGHT - Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Societal and Technological Change" of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
The German Museum, one of eight Leibniz research museums, maintains several locations throughout Munich, Nuremberg, and Bonn. Current renovations and modernization efforts at the main building in Munich should be completed in 2028. Additional locations include the Traffic Center on Theresienhöhe, the Schließheim Airport, and branches in Nuremberg and Bonn.
As the new Director General, Decker may focus on expanding the museum's scientific and educational programs, bringing his background in physics to introduce unique exhibits or initiatives. Specific details about his goals for the museum are still forthcoming.
In his new role as Director General, Michael Decker will oversee the Museum of Technology and Science, a division of the German Museum, which also houses the Chair for Science Communication at the Technical University (TUM). As a member of the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) and the advisory board "INSIGHT," Decker brings a wealth of knowledge in science and technology to the museum, potentially introducing unique exhibits or initiatives in his tenure.
