Press Releases
What's new at Freie Universität? On this page you can find the latest press releases issued in English from the Office of Communication and Marketing of Freie Universität Berlin. They are also available as RSS Feeds.
Current Press Releases in English
September 2026
August 2026
- № 105 from Aug 20, 2026Freie Universität Berlin Still Sparking New Ideas on Climate Protection: University’s 2026 Sustainability Report Now AvailableTwenty-five years of dedication / New goals for the next three years
- № 103 from Aug 04, 2026Freie Universität Berlin to Host International Conference “Sustainability in Higher Education: Between Transformation and Vibe Shifts”International experts will discuss the future of sustainability at universities from September 21 to 23, 2026 / Members of the public from the fields of research, higher education, politics, and civil society are welcome to attend
July 2026
- Jul 24, 2026Freie Universität Berlin Ranked Among the Top German Universities for International Funding in 2025Statistics from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) indicate continued success in international funding / New program to help spread intercultural skills among staff and students
- Jul 20, 2026FUBiS International Summer University at Freie Universität Berlin Welcomes over 360 Students from 30 Different CountriesSummer program that offers language and subject courses and promotes international networking will run until the end of August
- № 091 from Jul 02, 2026German Research Foundation to Fund New Research Unit: Investigating the Molecular Machines at the Heart of Gene ExpressionFreie Universität Berlin is contributing to the national research consortium significantly in an effort to better understand the fundamental mechanisms of gene transcription.
June 2026
- № 084 from Jun 25, 2026250 Years of United States Independence: Histories, Memories, NarrativesThe John F. Kennedy Institute at Freie Universität Berlin invites members of the public to lectures and a panel discussion on July 2, 2026
- № 083 from Jun 23, 2026ERC Advanced Grant Awarded to Physicist Cecilia ClementiEuropean Research Council will fund project on the simulation of biomolecular dynamics with just over three million euros
- № 080 from Jun 17, 2026Fungal Diversity in Soil is Essential for Global HealthNew study from researcher at Freie Universität Berlin highlights the importance of fungi for ecosystems, nutrition, and global health
- № 079 from Jun 16, 2026Biophysicist Joachim Heberle to Receive the 2026 Peter Mitchell MedalThe international award recognizes outstanding contributions to research in the field of biological energy conversion
- № 071 from Jun 10, 2026Jack Halberstam, Gender and Queer Studies Theorist, to Speak at Freie Universität BerlinPublic event on June 18, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. will examine the idea of “anarchitecture”
- № 067 from Jun 08, 2026Freie Universität Berlin Strengthens Its Commitment to SustainabilityUniversity sets up innovative new climate protection fund
- № 064 from Jun 01, 2026International Summer and Winter University FUBiS at Freie Universität Berlin Returns for First Summer Term of 2026
May 2026
- № 062 from May 29, 2026Twenty Years of the Valeska Gert Visiting Professorship for Dance and PerformanceEszter Salamon appointed Valeska Gert Visiting Professor during anniversary season
- № 059 from May 22, 2026Have We Been Missing Signs of Extraterrestrial Life? Researchers Warn of “False Negatives” in the Search for Biosignatures in SpaceNew study in “Nature Astronomy” featuring researchers from Freie Universität Berlin calls for novel approaches to astrobiology
- № 056 from May 13, 2026Ant Venom Serves Many FunctionsGroundbreaking discovery of antimicrobial peptides in ant venom has far-reaching implications
- № 053 from May 05, 2026Measuring the Negative Impacts of Biological Invasions on Animal WelfareBiologists develop framework to quantify and categorize the animal welfare impacts of biological invasions
April 2026
- № 051 from Apr 27, 2026Researcher Introduces Energy Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to Reframe ADHDNew study presents theoretical framework to address a conceptual gap in our understanding of ADHD
- Apr 22, 2026Statement from Freie Universität Berlin’s Executive Board on Academic Partnerships with Israeli Institutions
- № 046 from Apr 22, 2026John F. Kennedy Institute Launches New Public Lecture Series on Democracy, Law, and SocietyInaugural Ernst Fraenkel Lecture on April 29, 2026, to address the future of birthright citizenship in the United States
- № 045 from Apr 21, 2026From Cuneiform to the Touch ScreenResearchers from Berlin and Jerusalem explore the evolution of handwriting and writing systems
- № 042 from Apr 14, 2026Belgian Author Lize Spit Awarded Samuel Fischer Visiting Professorship at Freie Universität BerlinInaugural lecture on plot as a form of spatial awareness will be held at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026
- № 038 from Apr 02, 2026How Sensitive Are the Computers of the Future?
March 2026
- № 035 from Mar 30, 2026New Research Project on African American Thought and the German Colonial ImaginationTransatlantic project based at Freie Universität Berlin will explore contested geographies of race, empire, and freedom
- № 023 from Mar 11, 2026Astrophysicist Heike Rauer Awarded the Caroline Herschel MedalFreie Universität professor receives recognition for her contributions to exoplanet research and the PLATO space mission
February 2026
- № 017 from Feb 11, 2026Andrea Güttner Unanimously Elected Chancellor of Freie Universität BerlinAfter serving over four years as interim director of administration and finance, Andrea Güttner will take office in July 2026
- № 015 from Feb 05, 2026City Life Makes for Less Picky EatersNew study reveals urban ants more willing to accept low-quality food – a potential warning sign for urban ecosystems
January 2026
- № 012 from Jan 29, 2026Hegel Lecture 2026 with Harvard Professor Jill LeporeThe renowned historian will speak about the rise and fall of artificial states at the Dahlem Humanities Center, Freie Universität Berlin, on February 12, 2026
- № 011 from Jan 28, 2026Professor Günter M. Ziegler Reelected President of Freie Universität BerlinThe Extended Academic Senate has decided to reelect the current president and mathematician to the position
- № 003 from Jan 14, 2026The Hidden Risk of Combined Stressors for SoilsNew study by researchers at Freie Universität published in “Nature Communications” shows that independent environmental stressors such as heat, drought, and microplastics affect soils differently when combined
- № 002 from Jan 07, 2026International Summer and Winter University FUBiS at Freie Universität Berlin Starts New Year with 142 ParticipantsHighest number of winter term participants since 2020
- Jan 03, 2026Statement Regarding Power Outage in Southwest Berlin
December 2025
- № 207 from Dec 11, 2025Professor Barbara Vetter Receives the Leibniz Prize 2026 from the German Research FoundationResearcher at Freie Universität Berlin receives prize for work on the metaphysics and epistemology of modality
- № 205 from Dec 09, 2025ERC Consolidator Grant Awarded to Anthropologist at Freie Universität BerlinDr. Jürgen Schaflechner will lead a five-year study on conspiracy theories in South Asia funded by the European Research Council
- № 206 from Dec 09, 2025Quantum Physicist at Freie Universität Berlin Receives ERC Consolidator GrantEuropean Research Council awards Dr. Philippe Faist nearly two million euros for research on quantum complexity
November 2025
- № 197 from Nov 26, 2025The Jewish Museum Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin Present Claude Lanzmann’s Audio ArchiveThe exhibition “Claude Lanzmann: The Recordings” can be visited at the Jewish Museum Berlin from November 27, 2025, to April 12, 2026 / The Lanzmann Collection will be made available online via Freie Universität’s Oral-History.Digital platform
- № 193 from Nov 25, 2025Ancient Trash Demonstrates How Early Farmers Learned to Live with WasteA team of archaeologists from Freie Universität Berlin and the University of York launch research project exploring Neolithic garbage pits / Project set to receive funding from German and British funding bodies
- № 178 from Nov 06, 2025ERC Synergy Grant Awarded to Climate Expert Professor Fabian HoffmannUnique measurements and realistic simulations to advance research on turbulent clouds / Meteorology professor at Freie Universität Berlin studies the connection between clouds and climate change
October 2025
- № 177 from Oct 31, 2025“Mixed Feelings”New research podcast on dealing with conflicting emotions / Researchers from the Collaborative Research Center “Affective Societies” at Freie Universität Berlin provide insights into the emotions that emerge from conflict.
- № 167 from Oct 23, 2025Choreographer Pol Pi Appointed Valeska Gert Visiting Professor for the 2025/2026 Winter SemesterPol Pi will explore the musicality of movements and perform musical gestures with music and dance students of Freie Universität Berlin
- № 166 from Oct 23, 2025New Study Indicates Language, But Not Music, Plays a Powerful Role in Tactile PerceptionNeuroscientists at Freie Universität Berlin show that spoken words can sharpen the sense of touch in ways music cannot
- № 164 from Oct 22, 2025Surprising Discovery in Quantum PhysicsNew study reveals “cultural gaps” in modern quantum theory
- № 162 from Oct 21, 2025Malaysian Author Tash Aw to Give Inaugural Lecture as Samuel Fischer Visiting Professor at Freie Universität BerlinAward-winning writer and translator to hold Samuel Fischer Visiting Professorship at the Peter Szondi Institute during the 2025/2026 winter semester
- № 161 from Oct 16, 2025Federica Mogherini and Joschka Fischer to Speak at Freie Universität Berlin on November 7, 2025Inaugural Europaeum Annual Lecture: “The New Global Disorder: Europe’s Future in a Fracturing World”
- № 158 from Oct 10, 2025When Mathematics Meets AestheticsResearchers at Freie Universität Berlin reveal the mathematics behind mesmerizing patterns / New study links the beauty of tiling patterns to the structure and complexity of mathematical research
- № 156 from Oct 08, 2025When a Fear of Closeness and Vulnerability Leads to Destructive BehaviorA new study by researchers at Freie Universität Berlin and partner universities has revealed the key psychodynamic mechanisms of personality disorders
- № 152 from Oct 01, 2025Saturn’s Moon Emits Organic CompoundsMolecules originate from an ocean inside the celestial body
September 2025
- № 147 from Sep 15, 2025New Study Indicates High Levels of Self-Censorship and Perceived Restrictions for Scholars Specialized in the Middle EastAlmost 85 percent of respondents say they have seen an increased threat to academic freedom since October 7, 2023 / Early-career researchers are particularly affected
- № 143 from Sep 10, 2025Freie Universität Berlin Joins European Coalition for Research Assessment ReformUniversity commits to fostering quality, diversity, and Open Science in Europe
- № 142 from Sep 09, 2025Archaeologists at Freie Universität Berlin Participate in Research at UNESCO World Heritage Site Göbekli TepeThe Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology will join an international collaboration to further investigate the historically significant Stone Age monuments