The Week at TU Braunschweig │15.11.2024 Our Newsletter for all Employees
Topics: Climate.Future Labs launched + research announcement – use extended + Welcome to the TU family!
Redaktion: Hannah Kreß
► Decline in pupils‘ digital skills
The International Computer and Information Literacy Study 2023 (ICILS 2023) is an international comparative study of the digital skills and competences of eighth graders. As a member of the national consortium, Prof. Julia Gerick from the Institute of Educational Science is also involved in the study.
► The role of forests in the mercury cycle
Dr Marta Pérez-Rodríguez and Dr Juan Morales Arteaga from the Institute of Geoecology are investigating the role of tropical forests in the mercury cycle as part of the DFG-funded “FORVEST-Hg” project. For their field work, they also travelled to Costa Rica. Pérez Rodríguez will talk about her research on 11 December as part of the ‘TU for Future’ series.
► Kick-off for the Urban Climate Future Lab
The Urban Climate Future Lab (UCFL) has now started its work with a kick-off workshop. The Future Lab at the Lower Saxony Center for Climate Research (ZKfN) aims to explore the complex interconnections between urbanisation, climate impacts and climate change adaptation. In an interview with the ZKfN, spokesperson Prof. Vanessa Carlow explains what makes up the urban system of Lower Saxony and why there needs to be a shift in focus in climate adaptation.
► From climate knowledge to climate-conscious action
The second Klima.Zukunftslabor (Future Lab), led by the Technische Universität Braunschweig and linked to the CO-Living-Campus project, has also started its work. In an interview with ZKFN, spokesperson Prof. Tatjana Schneider talks about the lab’s plan to explore how knowledge about the climate emergency can be translated into everyday action and how this knowledge can be transferred from research to society.
► Sustainable use of mining heritage
The joint project “Ernst-August Grubenwasser Monitoring” aims to develop innovative solutions for the monitoring and sustainable use of mining infrastructure to support regional water and energy supply. The project, under the leadership of TU Clausthal, includes the Leichtweiß Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources with the Division of Hydrology and River Basin Management.
► Farsane Tabataba-Vakili is the new Assistant Professor of Experimental Physics, Quantum Matter
She has been teaching and researching at the Institute of Condensed Matter Physics since September 2024: Farsane Tabataba-Vakili. Her research focusses on two-dimensional quantum materials. One of the most prominent examples is graphene, which became known as the ‘thinnest material in the world’ after its discovery in 2004.
► Encouraging communication between families
… was the focus of the traditional welcome meeting for families with TU President Professor Angela Ittel. In the parent-child room and the “Sandkastenzentrale” in the old main building, the new parents and their offspring had the opportunity to network with other families, to share their personal wishes and to get to know the family-friendly offers at TU Braunschweig.
► The 2024 Goethe Prize of the English Goethe Society goes to
… Lina Sens, a PhD student in the Department of German Literature, for her essay: “Ideal verfehlt. The Lusthaus in Goethe’s Wahlverwandtschaften”. The prize is awarded for the best essay, written in English or German, on Goethe or his German-speaking contemporaries. Many congratulations!
► Extended use of the digital research announcement
The go-live of TU Braunschweig’s Research Information System (FIS), planned for 26.November, has been postponed by two months. This is to ensure a secure transition from the digital research announcement “DiFA” to the FIS. DiFA will therefore remain in place for reporting third-party funding up to and including 20 January.
► SAFE – Supporting at-risk Researchers with Fellowships in Europe
The SAFE programme of DAAD, Campus France, PAUSE and unimed is offering 60 scholarships for 36 months each for research stays of threatened researchers (PhDs and PostDocs) at European universities. If you would like to propose a researcher at risk for an application to the TU, please send a CV and a short description of the research project by e-mail by 9 December at the latest, as only one application can be submitted per university.
► New “Promoting Diversity in University Sport” project launched
The aim is to create a university sports community for everyone and to ensure inclusion and diversity in the long term. The project was developed in response to the results of the 2022 Student Survey and a Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA), which highlighted the need for action to promote diversity.
► Darling of the week
… are the many TU programmes that help to get students interested in STEM subjects. One of these is the SE²A Cluster of Excellence’s changING research club which started a new round at the beginning of November with 26 female and 22 male students. We hope the students enjoy their research and experiments!
► 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.