The Week at TU Braunschweig │16.05.2025 Our Newsletter for all Employees
Topics: With light luggage + Innovators and explorers + Dragonfly app
Redaktion: Hannah Kreß
► Flag of the UN Sustainable Development Goals raised
TU Braunschweig has publicly acknowledged its responsibility for sustainable development on its path to becoming a climate-neutral university by raising the flag of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In the magazine, Prof. Manfred Krafczyk, Vice President for Digital Transformation and Sustainability, explains the significance of this symbolic act and the long-term strategy behind it.
► Early summer gathering of professors
This week, TU professors gathered at the Architecture Pavilion. This event has been a valued tradition since 2021. The focus was on exchange and informal interaction, which is essential for our academic community these days.
► “Mit leichtem Gepäck” – TU project for better processes
On 6 May, over 50 employees from administration, technology and science began working together on a joint change project. The aim is to simplify internal processes and remove bureaucratic hurdles. Working in nine teams, they will spend six months developing user-oriented, creative and practical solutions. Initiated and supported by HVP Dietmar Smyrek.
► Pioneering work in Braunschweig
Daniel Prades has been working at TU Braunschweig since 2024 as the first Alexander von Humboldt Professor, bringing unconventional ideas, interdisciplinary thinking and an eye for practical innovation to the role. But who is this man, who sees himself more as an inventor than a researcher? Read a portrait of him in the new series “Innovators & Explorers” and an interview about his first year in Braunschweig.
► Closed-door meeting: Shaping the Future Together
What opportunities do we see in strengthening our regional ecosystem? What makes us a resilient university? Strategic decisions and ideas for cooperation were discussed at a closed-door meeting of the Senate, Deans and Executive Board at the end of April.
► Dragonfly, flat-bellied dragonfly or damselfly?
How do you distinguish between different dragonflies, how do you tell males from females, and which species do you see flying by? A team of interdisciplinary experts, including PD Dr Dagmar Hilfert-Rüppell from the Institute of Biology and Biology Didactics, has developed a free app for identifying local dragonflies.
► Sustainable aviation: international cooperation and excellence
At the SFB-TRR 364 “SynTrac” project, TU researchers are developing the fundamentals for environmentally friendly aviation by integrating aircraft and propulsion systems more closely. During the Research Training Group’s Winter School, young researchers had the opportunity to exchange ideas with international experts on innovative methods.
► Mobility of the future – with alumna Merle Schmidt-Brunn
On 8 May, the Executive Board and the Central Alumni Management invited guests to attend a lecture delivered by Merle Schmidt-Brunn, who is both the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Sustainability Officer at Hamburger Hochbahn AG, as well as being an alumna of TU Braunschweig. She reported on one of Germany’s most ambitious infrastructure projects: the construction of the new U5 underground line in Hamburg.
► High-tech meets cornfield
Driven by their passion for mechanical engineering, computer science, and innovation, the students involved in the FREDT initiative are developing autonomous robots with the potential to transform agriculture. In 2024, they won the Field Robot World Championship for the fifth time. They are currently preparing for the next World Cup in Italy.
► Heat haze in the German pavilion
Until 23 November, the German pavilion at the Architecture Biennale in Venice is showcasing the impact of climate change on urban spaces in an exhibition titled “Stresstest”. Prof. Elisabeth Endres, who is part of the curatorial team alongside Prof. Gabriele Kiefer, discusses the exhibition and the stress and destress rooms on Deutschlandfunk Kultur.
► Salon der Wissenschaft
Six of our university’s scientists will be participating in the Salon der Wissenschaft (Science Salon) on 18 June: Prof. Julia Gebert, Prof. Farsane Tabataba-Vakili, Prof. Matthias Tamm, Prof. Oliver Völkerink, Dr Marie Ritter and Dr Hannes Müller-Thomy. Around 30 researchers from research institutions in the Braunschweig region will be available for one-to-one discussions with visitors on various scientific topics at the Trafo Hub. Register now!
► “Lifelines” conference: Rethinking infrastructures
The conference “Lifelines”, taking place on 23 and 24 May as part of Core Research Area “Future City”, will discuss why infrastructures mean far more than just technical supply. Contributions will come from the fields of visual arts, art and architecture theory, and literary studies.
► Science and Art Lab: From Quantum Piano to FlyHigh
On 20 May, the Science and Art Lab will presentQuantum Piano, a collaboration between quantum physicist Dr Lukas Grünhaupt (PTB) and experimental composer and sound artist Thomas Tichai. This will be followed by a lecture on the system of units by Dr Jens Simon to mark World Metrology Day. On 22 May, the final picture book reading will take place, followed by “FlyHigh²”, a collaboration with the SE²A Cluster of Excellence featuring short films alternating with lectures in a science slam format.
► Kick-off event: Ethics-Research-Responsibility
On May 28, the Ethics Commission (KEF) of TU Braunschweig invites researchers and interested parties to the kick-off event “Ethics-Research-Responsibility”. In times of global crisis, experts discuss security-related research in the context of freedom, security and responsibility.
► Our darlings of the week
… impress with their special commitment to sustainability. Last week, they were honoured in four categories at the TUmorrow Awards. These prizes, each worth €500, are awarded by the Green Office in cooperation with the Braunschweigischer Hochschulbund. Congratulations and thank you for your dedication!