Research creates perspectives: Christiane Ritz (Senckenberg)
June 2026
Professor Dr. Christiane Ritz is coming to Görlitz and will take over as head of botany at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History. She previously studied and conducted research in Dresden, Jena, and Giessen. What began as a curatorial position became a true calling. In this interview, she explains why she is so passionate about working with plants – especially wild roses – and what makes Görlitz such a special place to live and research.
Who are you and what are you working or researching?
My name is Christiane Ritz, I head the Botany Department at the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz, and I also teach international students as an honorary professor at the International University Institute Zittau/TU Dresden. Before we settled here as a family, I studied in Dresden and Jena and worked at the University of Giessen. In our team in Görlitz, we research the native and Mongolian flora. For many years, the diversity and secrets of wild roses have been a particular passion project.
Why did you come to Görlitz and what convinced you to work here?
In 2010, I applied for a vacant position as a botanical curator. Securing a permanent position as a scientist at a research museum is a great privilege. I am very grateful that I was able to turn my passion for botany into a profession. We curate botanical collections, some of which are centuries old. Modern methods are increasingly providing a comprehensive view of the past of our flora, opening up a fascinating field of research that helps us understand the human impact on our natural world. Working at the Natural History Museum allows us to engage with the people of the city in a variety of ways – through exhibitions, excursions, and lectures, for example.
How did you experience your arrival in Görlitz and what do you like about living in the city?
As a family, we settled in very quickly with our children. The open and friendly welcome at the Protestant Regenbogen (Rainbow) Children's Center – from the nursery to the after-school program – was a great help in getting settled in. Görlitz offers fantastic leisure activities for families with children: there's plenty to experience at the zoo, the theater, and the museums. We love nature. That's why it's great to be able to quickly leave the city behind and explore the diverse landscapes from the Lusatian Lake District to the Giant Mountains. We were particularly pleased with the Polish-German language classes at the Augustum-Annen Gymnasium – a wonderful opportunity for our children to not only learn the Polish language but also to get to know the country and its people.
What makes the science region around Görlitz special from your point of view?
For me, as a biologist, Lusatia, as a biodiversity hotspot, offers an excellent research environment. We have even sequenced the complete genome of a wild rose from the Strohmberg near Weißenberg, and this genetic information is freely available to researchers worldwide. With strong partners in the region, such as the Natural History Society of Upper Lusatia and the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape Biosphere Reserve, we can implement and scientifically monitor conservation projects. The proximity to nature also allows our students, who come to Görlitz from more than 40 countries, to learn scientific fieldwork directly on site.
What surprised you most about Görlitz or about your work here?
I was truly surprised by the diverse range of cultural offerings in Görlitz. I find the numerous opportunities for music, art, and nature for all age groups really impressive for a city of this size. Even now that the children are older and our freedom as parents is increasing again, there are more exciting activities than free evenings. And of course, Lake Berzdorf – as a free swimming spot close to the city, it's unbeatable.
About the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz
The Görlitz Museum of Natural History has stood for scientific research and knowledge dissemination for more than 200 years. As part of the Senckenberg Society for Natural Research, more than 100 employees work on issues of biodiversity, the interactions between organisms and their environment, and the future of ecosystems in the context of global change. Their work is based on scientific collections comprising approximately 7 million objects.
Through its involvement in academic teaching and the communication of scientific knowledge to a broad public through exhibitions, educational programs and research projects, the museum strengthens the Lausitz science region.
Text: Senckenberg Society for Natural Research
This portrait was created in cooperation with Hi!Lusatia eV as part of the exhibition “Hi!Lusatia – Research creates perspectives” in the Brüderstraße Gallery in Görlitz.
