The Week at TU Braunschweig | 11.09.2026 Our Newsletter for all Employees
Topics: Academic freedom + AI solves maths problem + Quiz picnic
Editors: Katharina Hemmer and Elisabeth Hahn
► Commitment to academic freedom and democracy
TU Braunschweig supports the statement issued by the Berlin Research Network “Free Science – Successful Economy – Strong Germany”’. As a university, we are committed to freedom of research and teaching – as the foundation for innovation, economic competitiveness and a strong democracy.
► The next generation of RNA drugs
In the “RNApp” Research Training Group, twelve doctoral students are conducting research into making this biomolecule a more stable and effective basis for active pharmaceutical ingredients – six of them are working at the Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering. Our feature article introduces two of them: Paul Gottschalk and Sandhya Kumar.
► First place for our university’s architecture students
Leo Kraatz came out on top against 9,000 entries in the “Visualised” category at the “Drawing of the Year” Award. Vanessa Zwinger won the Baunetz Campus Masters with her Master’s thesis. Congratulations!
► Ludwig Prandtl Ring for Prof. Rolf Radespiel
On 8 September, Prof. Rolf Radespiel received the highest honour awarded by the German Society for Aerospace Engineering (DGLR). He was recognised for his outstanding contributions to aerodynamics and his strategic linking of fundamental research, industry and international science. Congratulations!
► A human would have been awarded a Fields Medal for this
… but it was an AI that provided the final proof for the most significant conjecture in percolation theory – the field of research of Prof. Benedikt Jahnel from the Institute for Mathematical Stochastics. He now explains what this means for the future of Mathematics in an article in Spektrum der Wissenschaft.
► Award for the Main Lecture Hall refurbishment
At the City of Braunschweig’s Peter Joseph Krahe Prize ceremony, a commendation was awarded for the extensive refurbishment of the Main Lecture Hall. This recognises a “remarkable architectural achievement” that goes beyond a mere restoration of the building in keeping with its heritage status.
► Visit to the Bet Tfila – Research Centre in Braunschweig
The decades-long German-Israeli cooperation with the Bet Tfila – Research Centre for Jewish Architecture received special recognition: Dr Daniel Aschheim, Head of Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of the State of Israel in Berlin, visited the research centre at the TU Braunschweig, headed by Prof. Ulrike Fauerbach, on 9 September.
► Next week is Health Week!
The countdown is on: from 14 to 18 September, it’s “wellbeing@workandstudy” time again! Discover the varied programme centred on health at our university now.
► Quiz Picnic
As part of Climate Adaptation Week, the Climate Future Lab OpenCultures is hosting a Quiz Picnic at the Schilfgarten North Campus on 16 September. Anyone interested is very welcome.
► The final week of the Science Showcase with the Science & Art Lab
Don’t miss your last chance to see the exhibition by Louise Ward Morris, Artist in Residence at LENA! To mark the conclusion of this year’s programme, an Artist Talk with Timo Hoheisel awaits those interested on 15 September.
► Summer School on Sustainability in the Automotive Industry
Students from the fourth semester of their bachelor’s degree onwards can register with the Summer School at WeCampusWOB from 12 to 16 October. The application deadline is 15 September. Please feel free to share!
► How to make sustainability work: Inspiring others through storytelling!
A two-day workshop organised by the Centre of Excellence for Higher Education on 5 and 6 October will demonstrate how storytelling can be used to motivate sustainable action in teaching and research. Click here to register.
► Das Emerging Tech Fellowship geht in die zweite Runde
Bringing new technological developments to higher education in 2027 as well: the Emerging Tech Fellowship, with a grant of €20,000, is once again inviting up to four technology-savvy experts to Lower Saxony. Applications can be submitted to the Emerging Tech Lab until 4 December.
► DFG renews funding opportunities for science communication
With immediate effect, researchers can apply for a flat-rate grant of €1,000 per funding year in their applications for general research grants and Emmy Noether grants, to be used for a science communication project of their own design.
► Our darlings of the week
… are over 1,000 students! As part of the ‘GesA Stud’ project, Prof. Simone Kauffeld and her team are investigating what shapes everyday student life and what support students really need. Initial findings reveal individual demand-resource profiles and suitable self-help measures. The main study is now getting underway again – we’d love you to take part!
► 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.