Newsroom

Story 24 May 2019

Europasaurus as a Graphic Novel: Science Done Differently

A dinosaur project funded by the Volkswagen Foundation comes to an end with an unusual approach to communicating its results: A graphic novel based on scientific findings intended to stimulate the imagination of an ecosystem that is 154 million years old.

Interview 13 May 2019

"We Need Human-centered Robotics."

Less apprehension, in return for a more intensive social debate: Robot psychologist Martina Mara puts in a plea for a more visionary approach to robotics and artificial intelligence – and to bridge the gaps between the disciplines.

Yedikule Bostans stands in the middle of a green field at the Theodosian wall in Istanbul.
Event report 06 May 2019

Herrenhausen Conference "Urban Agricultural Heritage and the Shaping of Future Cities"

The Herrenhausen Conference on May 6-8, 2019 focussed on food production in cities and elaborated why urban agriculture should be part of a sustainable urban planning in the future.

Story 09 April 2019

From Dream to Reality

Fresh water as a precious resource. A young Kenyan scientist has made this her theme – one that has accompanied her through her scientific career.

Interview 28 March 2019

"I Always Advise Going for a Knockout Victory."

The Nobel Laureate Stefan Hell and the Secretary General of the Volkswagen Foundation Wilhelm Krull on the sirens of assembly-line research, fainthearted experts and courageous free spirits. 

Story 25 March 2019

Like Pavlov’s Famous Dog?

Researchers in Tubingen are attempting to find out whether plants show comparable reflexes – and can therefore be regarded as capable of learning.

Eine Frau, die aufmerksam zuhört
Story 06 March 2025

So that everyone can have their say: Citizens' assembly on AI research

Rhetoric expert Anika Kaiser researches how people can make themselves heard on the major issues of our time – artificial intelligence (AI) being a case in point. She is the right person to take care that this grassroots democratic process does not remain too detached from reality: in her first life, she trained as a painter.

Frauen mit Kopftüchern sitzen an Tischen und haben Steinblöcke mit Inschriften vor sich liegen, die sie betrachten.
Story 26 February 2025

Archaeology as reconstruction: Ancient Near Eastern Studies in Mosul

He came to Mosul with the task of excavating ancient Nineveh. In the meantime, however, the mission of the ancient orientalist Stefan Maul goes far beyond this: he is rebuilding the study of antiquity in Iraq. And he is teaching the people what the Islamists robbed them of: pride in their cultural heritage.