Hans Joachim Schellnhuber

Hans Joachim Schellnhuber is the Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and holds a Chair in Theoretical Physics at the University of Potsdam. He has been PIK's Director since 1992 and has held academic positions at the University of Oldenburg, University of East Anglia, and Oxford University. His research focuses on interdisciplinary climate science, sustainability science, and Earth system analysis. Schellnhuber is a member of numerous prestigious academies, including the US National Academy of Sciences and the Leopoldina. He has received awards such as the Volvo Environment Prize (2011), German Environment Prize (2007), and honorary doctorates from Technische Universität Berlin and the University of Copenhagen.

He has authored over 350 articles and 60 books, addressing topics like climate tipping points, planetary boundaries, and climate policy. Schellnhuber served as a lead author for the IPCC and advised governments during the German G8/EU presidency. His work emphasizes integrating climate science with policy, advocating for urgent global decarbonization and sustainable development strategies.

• Education: Academic career began as a Student Assistant in Physics at the University of Regensburg (1971–1976), progressing to Postdoctoral Fellowships at UC Santa Barbara and roles as a Full Professor in Theoretical Physics.
• Awards: Includes the Order of Merit of Germany (2011), CBE (2004), and multiple honorary doctorates.
• Labs/Teams: Leads the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), a global hub for climate impact research and policy analysis.