Tilman Spohn elected Chair of the European Astrobiology Institute
The European Astrobiology Institute (EAI) has elected Tilman Spohn as its new Chair. The vote took place last week, on 15th October through a democratic election open to the EAI membership. Tilman Spohn succeeds Wolf Geppert, who has led the institute since its founding in 2019.
Tilman Spohn, (DLR) was a member of the group that prepared the founding of the EAI. He takes office at a time when the institute is expanding its research networks, outreach activities, conferences and training programmes across Europe.
“I am grateful to the members of the EAI for the trust they have placed in me. Wolf Geppert and his team have built a community that brings together astronomers, geologists, biologists, chemists and philosophers from across Europe. I am very glad that Wolf will remain closely involved as the EAI’s Scientific Secretary, so we can continue to draw on his experience and vision. Our task now is to strengthen that network, open it to the next generation of researchers, and make sure Europe’s voice is heard.” said Tilman Spohn.
Wolf Geppert (Stockholm University) chaired the EAI from its launch in May 2019. Under his leadership, the institute grew into a consortium of European research and higher education institutions. It established its Biennial European Astrobiology Conferences (BEACON) and, through the European Astrobiology Campus, a programme of summer schools and online courses. Also, public engagement activities were organised and several books like “Mars and The Earthlings” and “Life Beyond Us” published.
“When we founded the EAI in 2019, our goal was to join the forces of European institutions engaged in the field. Seeing what this community has achieved since, from our BEACON conferences to the summer schools of the European Astrobiology Campus, and the engagement of the general public has been the privilege of my tenure as a chair. I warmly congratulate Tilman and the new Vice Chairs. With Tilman we have a strong, experienced leader and I am confident the institute is in excellent hands.” said Wolf Geppert.
New Vice Chairs
The election also renewed the EAI’s vice-chair team. Three new Vice Chairs join Tilman Spohn in the leadership:
- José Caballero (CSIC-INTA, Spain)
- Adrienne Kish (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France)
- Julie Nováková (Charles University in Prague, Czechia)
They replace outgoing Vice Chairs John Brucato (INAF) and Muriel Gargaud (CNRS). Both were part of the EAI from its earliest days. The institute thanks them, and Wolf Geppert, for their years of service in building Europe’s astrobiology community. He will continue to serve the institute as Scientific Secratary.
About the European Astrobiology Institute
Founded in 2019, the European Astrobiology Institute (EAI) is a consortium of European research and higher education institutions, organisations and other stakeholders. It carries out research, training, outreach and dissemination in astrobiology in a coordinated way, aiming to secure a leading role for the European Research Area in the field. The EAI is hosted and administered by the European Science Foundation. Individuals can take part through its Working Groups and Project Teams.
More information: europeanastrobiology.eu
Press Contact
Courtney Allison
callison[@]esf.org
EAI Communication Officer, ESF