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Impulse-Magazin 2024
Publication of the Foundation 24 June 2024

IMPULSE magazine: Transdisciplinarity

When researchers integrate representatives from other areas of society into their scientific work, new perspectives emerge and it becomes easier to 'do things differently'. In our magazine IMPULSE 2024, we introduce people who take on this challenge out of conviction. Read their stories in the PDF - or request a free printed copy (in German, only).

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Many hands with wooden jigsaw pieces
Publication of the Foundation 11 April 2023

Strategic guidelines transdisciplinarity transfer science communication

The Volkswagen Foundation's strategic guidelines on transdisciplinarity.

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Our Focus

Illustration, die zwei Hände zeigt, die einen Vorhang öffnen
Basic research
Illustration mit drei Personen, zwei davon mit Megafon, eine Person hält sich die Hand ans Ohr, wie um besser zu hören
Science Communication
Grafik mit jungen Menschen, die politische Botschaften auf einer Demonstration von sich geben.
Democracy and Science
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Stories

Foto einer einzelnen Manganknolle
Story 15 July 2026

Manganese Nodules and Microorganisms: Life Fuelled by Radioactivity?

Radioactivity is generally considered harmful to life. Yet in manganese nodules in the deep sea, microorganisms might benefit from it. Or even live off it? This is the intriguing hypothesis that geoscientist Walter Geibert hopes to prove.

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Illustration, die eine Person mit EEG-Haube zeigt, die auf dem Kopf steht.
Story 08 July 2026

Basic Research: Exploring the unknown

What happens in the brain when we are confronted with completely unknown things and situations? At TU Dresden, Christian Beste is researching what is known as the "unknown unknown". To do so, he is turning science on its head.

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