Michael John Gorman worked on the opening of Biotopia for nine years – against a variety of resistance. Now the project is losing its founding director. The Irishman will in future direct the MIT Museum in the USA. It is one of the most important science museums in the world. It received a new building in the fall and is part of the renowned MIT, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is known for its innovative strength and as one the Nobel Prize winner forging applies.
For the much-discussed project at Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, Gorman’s departure is both a loss and an accolade. Because his concept for the new Bavarian Natural History Museum and Center for Science Communication – repeatedly attacked in this country from various sides – was convincing across the Atlantic. Science Minister Markus Blume also made a similar statement.
“From Bavaria to the science mecca on the American east coast: Prof. Gorman did valuable development work for the Bavarian Natural History Museum, which was also noticed internationally,” says Blume. “It is an honor for him that he is now being appointed to MIT, one of the world’s best technical universities, as a successful museum maker and science communicator. At the same time, the appointment illustrates the quality of the previous planning for the Bavarian Natural History Museum.”
Last year, the minister pushed for Biotopia to move forward under the new – albeit much more conservative – name and for construction to finally begin. “Thanks also to Prof. Gorman’s strong input, we are currently developing our popular Museum of Man and Nature into a Bavarian natural history and research museum with international appeal,” says Blume.
Meanwhile, Gorman gives the Free State a task: “Bavaria has the once-in-a-century opportunity to create an internationally outstanding life sciences museum for the 21st century, which serves as an urgently needed platform for science communication and a broad education center. I came to Bavaria as founding director in 2015 been appointed to develop this opportunity,” he says. “I am pleased that the Biotopia concept will continue to be the main pillar of the new building of the Bavarian Natural History Museum. I will of course remain closely connected to the project during its implementation and also to Bavaria.”
Gorman is leaving the project in the summer of 2024. His deputy Michael Apel will initially continue to run the business. It is not yet known when the position will be re-advertised and under what exact circumstances.