The Week at TU Braunschweig | 30. 01. 2026 Our Newsletter for all Employees
Topics: Metaphors in research + Future Day in near future + 25 years of “cucumber jar”
Editor: Elisabeth Hahn
► “The inconceivable does not always begin loudly”
81 years ago, the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp was liberated. On 27 January, TU-President Prof. Angela Ittel, Marcel Gey and Nora Höft from the Staff Council, and Luise Kirchner from the AStA Executive Committee commemorated the victims of National Socialism, including members of our university community.
► TU9 Alliance celebrates its 20th anniversary
Since 2006, the TU9 Alliance has been bringing together Germany’s leading technical universities and representing their interests both nationally and internationally. TU-President Prof. Angela Ittel chairs the Alliance alongside Prof. Peter Middendorf (University of Stuttgart). Congratulations on the anniversary!
► The “Travelling Light” project comes to an end
“The future is a team sport!” – With this motto, more than 50 TU members and guests from the Senate and faculties celebrated the graduation of the seven-month transformation project in December. Team spirit and innovative test phases took centre stage and impressively demonstrated the added value of joint projects.
► How language influences research
A new book (open access) by TU researchers reveals how metaphors influence the formation of hypotheses in the life sciences – and why they play a central role in research, science communication and public debates about biotechnology.
► Sustainable battery production: concept for gigafactories
A white paper (PDF) in the ProLiT project shows how the dry coating of lithium-ion battery cathodes can make battery production more sustainable, efficient and economical, and provides specific recommendations for use in gigafactories.
► WIN-Award for Prof. Sarah Rachut
Prof. Sarah Rachut, from the Institute of Law, was recently honoured with a WIN Award in the eGovernment category. The Women’s IT Network’s WIN Awards recognise women who are driving digital transformation in administration, health, and IT. Congratulations!
► 2 Inaugural lectures
There will be two inaugural lectures next week: Prof. Gert Bikker, Institute of Transportation Systems, German Aerospace Center (DLR), will hold his inaugural lectures on 3 February, and Prof. J. Daniel Prades, Institute of Semiconductor Technology, on 4 February.
► Future Day at TU Braunschweig: Girls’ Day and Boys’ Day
Any institutes or facilities wishing to participate on 23 April can register their events with the national coordination office. Participation is no longer organised centrally within the university. Further information can be found here.
► FutureMINT Thinkathon: Students wanted!
At the Stifterverband’s FutureMINT Thinkathon, 50 students from across Germany will work together to develop ideas for tomorrow’s STEM higher education. Taking place from 26 to 28 March, the event will be held at TU Braunschweig in cooperation with the Projekthaus. The deadline for applications is 6 February.
► Call for submissions: Ideas for Lower Saxony Day
Show what makes our university so unique! Ideas for the TU’s presentation at the joint Research Region stand can be submitted to the Ecoversity Hub from 4 to 17 February. We are looking for interactive formats, such as live experiments or workshops.
► Barcamp: What kind of future do we want for our region?
This is the theme of the event organised by the Cooperation Office for Universities and Trade Unions in South-East Lower Saxony on 7 February. Participants are invited to contribute ideas and input to shape the day. Register now!
► MINTchallenge plus: Further development of STEM higher education
Innovative technical degree programmes offering flexible structures and good talent promotion, enabling individual learning paths, can apply to the Stifterverband initiative until 6 February.
► Apply now: “EIT Urban Mobility Doctoral Training Network”
This EU-funded programme promotes innovation and entrepreneurship in urban mobility by offering doctoral students international courses, workshops, and funding for stays abroad. Applications close on 15 February.
► Our darling of the week…
is affectionately known as the “cucumber jar” and is now 25 years old! Our architecture pavilion is celebrating its anniversary. A special exhibition is shining the spotlight on the iconic building – originally constructed at the initiative of Prof. Meinhard von Gerkan – covering everything from its creation to future plans. Everyone is cordially invited to the opening on 2 February.
► 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.