Board of Trustees Meeting 2026

On 5 March 2026, the MPI for Solid State Research held its annual Board of Trustees meeting — an evening that brought together science, industry, and society in a productive and inspiring exchange.

The Boards of Trustees of the Max Planck Institutes serve as a vital bridge between research and the broader public. Our trustees represent a rich diversity of backgrounds and professions — publishers, corporate research directors, university rectors, editors-in-chief, and many more. They act as advocates for the Institute's interests in society and provide valuable strategic guidance through their external perspective.

This year's evening opened with a presentation by Managing Director B. Keimer, who outlined the current state of the Institute and offered an exciting outlook on future research opportunities enabled by the new AMDL laboratory building. This was followed by Dr. Stefan Buchholz — trustee and former Head of Research at Evonik — who delivered a compelling and expertly grounded talk on industrial biotechnology. Director J. Mannhart closed the presentations with an inspiring lecture on thin films, nuclear fusion, and the enduring fascination of fundamental research.

The evening concluded with a shared dinner, accompanied by lively and wide-ranging conversations.

For the current trustees, this was the final meeting of their six-year term. We extend our sincere gratitude for their time, dedication, and commitment to the Institute over these years. A new Board of Trustees will be appointed and convene for the first time in 2027.