Axel TIMMERMANN, Director of the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Center for Climate Physics (ICCP), has been selected as an Honorary Citizen of Busan by the Busan Metropolitan Government.

The honorary citizenship certificate ceremony took place on July 18 in the International Protocol Office at Busan City Hall. Since 1966, the city of Busan has awarded honorary citizenship to domestic and international figures who have enhanced the city’s reputation and contributed to its development.

Director Timmermann was appointed founding director of the ICCP in 2017 when the Center was established in Busan. From this base, he has led world-class research in climate science. His work spans a wide range of topics, including ocean–atmosphere circulation, climate change prediction, and paleoclimate reconstruction, helping to establish IBS as a global hub for climate physics research.

Since the center’s launch, Director Timmermann has published approximately 340 papers in leading journals such as Nature and Science. He has been named one of the top 1% most influential researchers in the world by Clarivate for seven consecutive years. His accolades include the Scientist of the Year Award from the Korean Association of Science Journalists in 2018 and the Minister’s Commendation from the Ministry of Science and ICT in 2022 for his contributions to national R&D outcomes.

Beyond his research, Director Timmermann has actively engaged with the local community through science outreach, public lectures, and youth education programs. He has spearheaded initiatives such as Climate Day, the K-WIN project for high school students, and lab tour programs for domestic and international students, all aimed at nurturing the next generation of climate scientists.

“It has been a truly meaningful experience to carry out research, education, and public engagement in Busan over the past eight years through the ICCP,” said Director Timmermann. “Moving forward, I will continue to promote international cooperation and societal contributions in climate science, and help Busan grow into a global hub for climate research.”

IBS Public Relations Team
William I. Suh