The Week at TU Braunschweig | 09.01. 2026 Our Newsletter for all Employees
Topics: Fire Disaster + Impact Week + Free Paths
Editor: Elisabeth Hahn
► TU graduates very satisfied with their studies and career start
Our university is a great place to study, as confirmed by the 2023 cohort in the graduate survey. Teaching quality, support and course structure are rated positively across the board. Many graduates quickly find permanent employment and make a successful start to their professional lives.
► Prof. Jochen Zehfuß on the fire disaster in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana
A bar in Crans-Montana was engulfed in flames within a very short time on New Year’s Eve, resulting in 40 deaths and 116 injuries. In interviews with the news programmes “heute journal” and “Tagesschau”, Prof. Jochen Zehfuß from the Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Construction and Fire Safety explains how this could have happened.
► Podcast: “Plate instead of bin II” with TU guest
The new episode features Prof. Okka Zimmermann from our Institute of Sociology. Together with Dr. Felicitas Schneider from the Thünen Institute of Market Analysis, she talks about how social structures contribute to food waste and how it can be managed sustainably.
► Reform of research evaluation: CESAER report
How can research be evaluated responsibly? A report by the Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research (CESAER) presents best practices – including approaches from our university. At the same time, politicians and funding institutions are called upon to support universities in introducing new evaluation models.
►Blood donation on campus
Anyone who wants to save lives during their break can do so on 21 and 22 January on the main campus at the DRK blood donation mobile. Reserve an appointment online now!
► Impact Week 2026: “Learning through engagement”
Where and how does our university make an impact on society? Anyone interested can find out during Impact Week from 2 to 6 February at the Braunschweig “Wissenschaftsschaufenster”. The highlight: the award for the best student impact project 2025/26.
► Postdoc programme for the first half of 2026 is online
From AI in science to time and career management to building resilience: postdocs in career phases R2-R3 can once again expect a wide range of workshops, networking events and webcasts.
► Virtual Lunch Break – Sustainable teaching in practice: a best practice example
Teaching sustainability in a practical way and actively involving students: That’s what the “Get Active Now” module is all about. If you would like to find out more, you are cordially invited to the Virtual Lunch Break with Prof. Okka Zimmermann on 15 January.
► “FameLab – Talking Science”: Make way for science communication!
The international competition invites talented young researchers from across Germany to inspire a panel of expert judges and the audience with their research. Registration is now open for the regional heat in Bielefeld on 26 March.
► Call for Applications: Prize (in kind) “Gender & Diversity in STEM”
For the first time in 2026, the GeDiMINT project will award prizes to outstanding doctoral or master’s theses in STEM disciplines that take a scientifically sound approach to sex, gender and/or diversity issues. Applications can be submitted until 1 May.
► Apply now for the Emerging Tech Fellowship!
The potential of new technological developments often remains untapped in higher education. To change this, the Emerging Tech Fellowship, worth over €20,000, invites technology-savvy experts to Lower Saxony. Applications are open until 31 January.
► Our darlings of the week
… are all those who are ensuring that the paths on campus remain clear and no one slips in the current snow flurries. Thank you very much!
► Events
There is always something going on at TU Braunschweig. Discussions, information events, concerts and much more. Take a look at our calendar of events and get inspired.