Face of the LIB: Bernhard Misof

What led you to biology?

I developed a passion for nature and biology at an early age. At the age of four, my grandfather introduced me to the world of butterflies, which further fuelled my passion for living creatures. Although I already had the desire to go out into the world when I was at primary school, I initially studied biology in Vienna. After my diploma thesis on questions of evolutionary developmental biology, I was drawn to Yale University in the USA. When my wife's residence visa expired in 1995, we had to return to Europe. We had met during our studies on an excursion to the Maldives. In the meantime, my family and, above all, my five grown-up children ensure that my private life remains exciting.

What challenges await you now as Director General of the LIB?

As a scientist, I now have many unfamiliar and also unusual tasks: The management of my own institution, the staff and the cooperation with the administration have been well-rehearsed until now. Now another large
museum in Hamburg is being integrated with many new colleagues. We want to gradually and creatively expand new scientific centres together with our employees.

What motivates you and gives you satisfaction in your work?

The great thing about working as Director General is the combination of scientific work and dealing with people - both with my own staff and with visitors. Developing this Leibniz Institute into a unique forum for dialogue on biodiversity change is a great incentive for me. I want to collate a lot of facts and hear different professional opinions. Thanks to digital progress, it is now even possible to hold discussions with experts and the public from any location. My aim is to use innovative methods and fresh ideas to better understand and explain the changes in biodiversity.

What is your favourite aspect of your day-to-day work?

Working with my many colleagues. The exchange with them on questions of biodiversity analysis, communication and the implementation of ideas are my highlights. University work is generally not as varied as work at a research museum. On the one hand, this is of course challenging and on the other, it always brings you at least one foot on the edge of the unknown, the misunderstood and also sometimes ignorance. In addition, as "museum people" we have to be aware of the changes in our society in order to be able to react to them. Developing this sensitivity requires a great deal from each of us.

Is the appointment as LIB Director General your greatest professional success to date?

Of course I feel honoured to be given this responsible title. Being the Director General of the LIB is also a job with a lot of responsibility and obligations. Professional success can't really be measured. I see our two centres in Hamburg and Bonn as a great asset - where the team has visibly managed to move people, break through entrenched routines and create something new. These are the successes of the team.

You always wanted to be a biologist and you became one. Would there have been an alternative if it hadn't worked out?

From the outside, my life path does seem to have been very straightforward. Natural sciences since my childhood - the desire to become a scientist - for as long as I can remember. However, I consciously chose this path as a teenager - at a time when
I was strongly reflecting on my life and wanted to determine my own future. I always see both my artistic and scientific interests as being closely linked in scientific work. I've never really thought about doing anything else.

Have you ever thought you were making a mistake?

You make mistakes every day. Reflection is crucial. As a director, but not only as a director, you have to make a lot of decisions every day. The important thing is to recognise mistakes and correct them.

What social challenges does the LIB now have to face?

The extensive loss of biodiversity has a major impact on the future of us humans and society. Our research museum has the task of publicising this problem and explicitly presenting its consequences for us all. We have a commitment to the future in terms of long-term, intergenerational conservation strategies. We pursue the guiding principle of researching and preserving biodiversity.

About Prof. Dr Bernhard Misof
He has been Director General of the LIB since 1 July 2021. Previously, he was interim director of the Museum Koenig. In this role, Misof has already successfully steered the museum through the Leibniz Association's rigorous evaluation process twice and thus accompanied an in-depth examination of the quality of work at the institute. Since 1 May 2020, he has headed Museum Koenig as Director and now assumes the role of Director General at LIB. After his habilitation and venia legendi at the University of Bonn in 2002, Misof also worked at the University of Copenhagen and the Zoological Museum of the University of Hamburg. He has been a professor at the University of Bonn since 2010, where he was head of the Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research for ten years.