On January 1, 2026, Dr. Elmar Schmaltz MSc BSc was appointed by Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig to head the Institute for Land and Water Management Research at the Federal Agency for Water Management. He succeeds DI Dr. Peter Strauss, who had headed the institute since 2010 and can now focus more on his duties as director of the Federal Office.
Elmar's educational journey took him from Tübingen, where he completed his master's degree in physical geography, to Vienna, where he wrote his dissertation at the Institute of Geography and Regional Research (Department of Physical Geography), and finally to Petzenkirchen, where he has been head of the “Erosion and Hydrology of Small Catchment Areas” department since April 3, 2018.
His many years of experience, knowledge, and commitment in the fields of soil management, water balance, and water-related land and agricultural technologies are a stroke of luck for the institute and will enable it to continue its activities in a targeted manner and to promote and develop innovative approaches to the sustainable use of soil and water resources.
We warmly congratulate Elmar on his appointment and wish him all the best in his responsible position!