New Name, Same Identity

17.06.2008 | Potsdam: As of today the GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam changes it name and is now called:

Helmholtz-Centre Potsdam
GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

With the renaming, the GFZ wishes to reach two goals:

Firstly, this new name conveys the ever increasing international standing of the GeoForschungsZentrum: “Due to the excellent work of our scientists the GFZ has long been looked upon worldwide as the ‚National Lab’ for Earth Sciences in Germany” says Professor Reinhard Hüttl, Scientific Executive Director of the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences.

Secondly, the affiliation to the Helmholtz Association should be highlighted with this new name. Professor Hüttl: „With around 27,000 employees and an annual budget of approx. 2.4 billion Euros, the Helmholtz Association is the biggest German research organization. The GFZ fulfils its role within the Helmholtz Association as a central Earth science centre. And thus it was tasked with the lead-management in the construction of the Tsunami Early Warning System for the Indian Ocean which was developed by the Helmholtz Association by order of the Federal Government."

The remaining reference to the location in Potsdam continues to express its anchoring as the biggest non-university research centre of the State of Brandenburg in the region. And furthermore, the Potsdam Telegrafenberg has been the most important site of modern Earth sciences since the 19th Century.

It was important for all involved that the increased identity and the international reputation of the GFZ remain visible in the new name: “Excellent research is conducted within the Helmholtz-Centres. Outstanding science in an esteemed research structure – this should be conveyed in the new name”, Reinhard Hüttl affirms.