German Council of Science and Humanities 2026: Chair and Executive Board of the Scientific Commission 

Neuro-oncologist Wolfgang Wick has been re-elected as Chair of the German Science and Humanities Council (WR, Wissenschaftsrat). The election took place during the Council’s meetings in Berlin from 28 to 30 January 2026. He commenced his fourth term of office on 1 February 2026.

Wolfgang Wick is Professor of Neurology and Medical Director of the Department of Neurology at Heidelberg University Hospital, as well as Head of the Clinical Cooperation Unit Neurooncology at the German Cancer Research Center. His research focuses, among other topics, on brain tumours and stroke care. He ranks among the most frequently cited researchers worldwide in his field.

Julia Arlinghaus, Chair of the Scientific Commission, has likewise been confirmed in office for another year. She is Full Professor of Logistics & Supply Chain Management at the University of St. Gallen (HSG). Her deputy, Ferdi Schüth, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry and Director at the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research in Mülheim/Ruhr, will continue in this role.

Newly elected to the Executive Board of the Scientific Commission is Uta Gaidys, who succeeds Christian Facchi following the regular completion of his six-year term. Uta Gaidys is Professor of Nursing Science and Dean of the Faculty of Health at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. Her research focuses on ethics in healthcare and the scientific foundation of nursing and health professions.

Dr Rolf-Dieter Jungk, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space, and Falko Mohrs, Minister for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony, have both been re-elected as Co-Chairs of the Administrative Commission. Their deputy, Markus Blume, Bavarian State Minister for Science and the Arts, will also continue in office.

Further information about the Chair and the members of the German Science and Humanities Council (as of 1 February 2026).