Newsroom

Personen sitzen an einem Tisch
Event Report 25 November 2025

Academic Freedom Under Pressure

At the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025, leading representatives of the scientific community discussed threats to academic freedom – and how research institutions can strengthen their resilience.

Podiumsdiskussion mit sechs Teilnehmer:innen, die nebeneinander auf einer Bühne sitzen
Event Report 18 September 2025

Research as a Bridge: Lower Saxony Celebrates Its Partnership With Israel

Sixty years ago, a unique scientific collaboration began between Germany and Israel. A ceremony at Herrenhausen Palace on 15 September celebrated this engine of innovation and mutual understanding –  as well as the 100th anniversary of two leading Israeli universities.

Luftbild des Welfenschlosses (Ansicht von Süden)
Event Report 12 September 2025

Can Universities Save Democracy?

On 10 September 2025, experts gathered at Herrenhausen Palace to take part in a symposium on the topic of why authoritarian regimes routinely attack educational institutions, what this says about the value of these institutions to open societies, and how universities can return to their core mission.

Das Bild zeigt einen Hörsaal mit Studierenden in den Reihen und einem Dozenten am Pult
Event Video 11 September 2025

Multiple Transformations and Current Crisis: Higher Education in the U.S. and Europe

Mitchell G. Ash (Vienna) spoke about the transformation of research and universities since the Second World War and the possible fundamental impact of the current US politics on global academia on September 11th, 2025 in Hanover. See his lecture here.

Das Bild zeigt weiße Linien vor rotem Hintergrund
Event Report 22 January 2025

International Science & Policy Symposium (ISPS)

"Navigating Global Responsibility - How Research-Intensive Universities Strengthen Societies" was the focus of the International Science & Policy Symposium in Hanover, Germany, from January 22-23, 2025. Leading academics, policymakers, and international experts gathered to address some of the most pressing global challenges.

Eine Gruppe Erwachsener vor einem imposanten Garten
Event Report 19 November 2024

Focus on Europe: Challenges and potentials

The European idea is noticeably crumbling. Researchers funded by the Volkswagen Foundation met at the status symposium 'Challenges and potentials for Europe' to exchange views on the results of their research on the topic.  One conclusion: fortunately, joint European research on Europe is not crumbling!  

Stories

Mehrere Personen sitzen zusammen, eine Frau erzählt etwas, ein Mann tippt dabei an einem Laptop. Im Hintergrund sind Bananenpflanzen und ein Dschungel-Wald zu sehen.
Story 27 May 2026

A Pharmacy From the Rainforest: Remedies for the Mind

Fabien Schultz is searching for natural materials that can be used to treat mental health conditions. To this end, he is working with indigenous communities in Uganda and Tanzania – and with monkeys.

Portrait eines Mannes
Story 26 March 2026

Hybrid Computers Made of Nerves and Fibre Optics

Wolfram Pernice is researching how computers based on neural networks could in future compute even faster and more efficiently – using light instead of electronics. And real nerves instead of optical fibres.

Mastodon