EMS Outstanding Contribution Award to Heinke Schlünzen

Prof. Dr. Heinke Schlünzen, Germany, the former Treasurer of the EMS, is the 2025 EMS Outstanding Contribution Awardee.

For many years, Heinke Schlünzen has been the financial cornerstone of EMS, demonstrating remarkable professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to the EMS’s mission.

Heinke Schlünzen was an EMS Councillor, representing the Deutsche Meteorologische Gesellschaft (DMG), for thirteen years, during which she was the EMS Treasurer for nine years, from September 2015 to September 2024.

During this long term she proved an outstanding Treasurer. Her stewardship of the financial resources ensured the sustainability and growth of EMS, enabling the organization to expand its programmes and initiatives to support the meteorological community across Europe.
Heinke’s transparent and prudent financial management fostered trust among Members and stakeholders, while her proactive approach in navigating complex financial challenges safeguarded the EMS’s long-term success.

Beyond her role as Treasurer, Heinke was very active in all areas tackled by the EMS Council. She was keen to share her knowledge and expertise to foster research collaboration, with a particular focus on supporting early career scientists. By involving the WMO Global Atmospheric Watch Urban Research Meteorology and Environment (GURME) project in organising the session on “Cities and urban areas in the earth-atmosphere system” at the EMS Annual Meeting, she helped to significantly increase the interest for this session.

Heinke’s tireless support for the EMS has left an indelible mark. Her contributions have not only strengthened the EMS but also empowered others.

To mark these outstanding contributions, Heinke was handed a Special Recognition Certificate at the occasion of the last EMS General Assmbly she attended, last year in Barcelona. The certificate was presented by the EMS President, Liz Bentley (right)

Award

The Award will be presented to Heinke during the EMS Annual Meeting in Ljubljana on 8 September 2025.

About the Outstanding Contribution Award

The Outstanding Contribution Award is granted to individuals in recognition of important contributions to the European Meteorological Society over a period of several years. The award was launched in 2015, and is normally awarded biennially in the form of a certificate presented to the recipient during the award ceremony at the EMS Annual Meeting. The EMS Bureau, representatives on the EMS Council, all EMS committees, teams and boards via the respective chairs, and the EMS Executive Secretary are eligible to make proposals. Based on the submitted nominations, the EMS Bureau provides a recommendation to Council, with the final decision being taken by Council.