Jean-Philippe Avouac appointed Director of IPGP
By decree of the President of the French Republic dated March 23, 2026, Jean-Philippe Avouac has been appointed Director of the Institut de physique du globe de Paris (IPGP), effective March 25, 2026, for a three-year term.
Publication date: 25/03/2026
Institute Life, Research
Published in the Journal officiel de la République française, the decree formalizes his appointment following a proposal from the IPGP Board of Directors and with the approval of the President of Université Paris Cité.
Jean-Philippe Avouac is an internationally recognized geophysicist specializing in active tectonics (crustal deformation and earthquake processes). A professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), his research has significantly advanced the understanding of mountain building processes, large earthquakes, particularly in subduction zones, as well as induced earthquakes related to human activities.
His work has earned widespread international recognition and numerous distinctions, including the recent Choose France label, which highlights both his scientific excellence and his contribution to the global visibility of French research.
His appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for IPGP, at a time when understanding natural hazards, global change, and Earth system dynamics is more critical than ever.
Jean-Philippe Avouac officially takes office today, March 25, 2026, succeeding Marc Chaussidon.
