Newsroom

The LOEWE Center “Dynamics of the Religious” (DynaRel), a new research consortium bringing together Goethe University Frankfurt, Philipps-Universität Marburg and Justus Liebig University Giessen, is commencing its work. 

Authorities estimate that around 40 to 50 percent of the fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) traded in Europe originate from illegal sources. These substances, used among other things as refrigerants, can have a global warming potential up to 24,000 times greater than that of CO₂. Taking this case as a starting point, a new research project at Goethe University will, for the first time, systematically examine the role of organized crime in the field of climate protection.

The collapse of a star at the end of its life cycle could lead not only to a black hole but also to an ultra-compact star – a so-called gravastar – which resembles a black hole from the outside. This is the conclusion reached by two theoretical physicists at Goethe University. 

Researchers from Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt and Justus Liebig University Giessen identify a cluster of immunomodulatory proteins in Borrelia recurrentis

Goethe University will once again celebrate its traditional summer festival on June 18 with an attractive lineup of cultural, sports, and entertainment events. : On the Westend Campus, visitors to the summer festival can look forward to an exciting stage program featuring rock and pop music, as well as dance performances.

The Research Centre “Normative Orders” at Goethe University and Suhrkamp Publishing House are hosting an international symposium in memory of philosopher and sociologist Jürgen Habermas, who died in March.

Museum Giersch at Goethe University (MGGU) is hosting two events to coincide with Frankfurt Digital Week and the nationwide Digital Day 2026, which is held under the motto “Digital Security: Understand. 

Poetry lecture series kicks off to a full auditorium: On Tuesday evening, author Joshua Groß delivered the first of his lectures on the topic “Walking Beside Oneself: Thinking in Avatars.” The series continues on June 16 and 23 (both at 6 p.m.), with the closing reading taking place on June 24 at the Literaturhaus Frankfurt. Additionally, the accompanying exhibition “The Horizons of the Shapeshifters” opens today at the University Archives (Dantestr. 9, Mon–Fri, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.).

German perceptions of Africa continue to be shaped by clichés and stereotypes, some of which have their roots in the colonial era. Contemporary media coverage often contributes more to narrowing than broadening public understanding of the continent. The edited volume “Africa-Wissen” [Africa Knowledge] by Prof. Hans Peter Hahn and Dr. Sylvestre Kouakou takes a closer look at this phenomenon. Through transdisciplinary media analyses, the book demonstrates how particular perspectives continue to be reproduced in public discourse.

The university-wide student survey conducted in 2023 shows that self-assessments and knowledge checks play an important role in supporting students throughout the learning process. In particular, ungraded quizzes and practice exams help students evaluate their own level of understanding and make learning progress more visible.

Fatma Karakaşlı on an Excursion to Gotha

How do students use artificial intelligence (AI) in academic writing, and how does it affect their learning processes? A nationwide study conducted by Goethe University Frankfurt’s Schreibzentrum offers new insights into the opportunities and tensions surrounding AI-assisted writing.

On Monday, Goethe University and the Foundation of Frankfurter Sparkasse presented the 1822 Award for Excellence in Teaching for the 25th time. Since 2002, the award has recognized instructors who demonstrate exceptional dedication to teaching. This year’s recipients are Prof. Maike Windbergs and Dr. Stefan Rettenmayr.

This year’s Week of Botanical Gardens will take place from June 13 to June 21, 2026. Under the theme “Wild Diversity in the Garden,” visitors will discover how vibrant gardens can be and learn how their own garden or balcony can become a haven for biodiversity. Among the participating gardens is the Science Garden of Goethe University.

The Frankfurt Conservation Center (FCC) was officially inaugurated today during a festive ceremony at Villa 102 hosted by KfW Foundation, the charitable foundation of Germany’s public development bank. Guests included Frankfurt’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Science, Ina Hartwig, Environmental Deputy Mayor Tina Zapf-Rodriguez, Patricia Zurita, Executive Director of Conservation International, and keynote speaker Sylvie Goulard.

Erin Schuman has been awarded the Norwegian-American Kavli Prize together with a U.S. scientist and a British researcher for their discoveries of fundamental principles underlying the mechanisms that enable the brain to reorganize itself through experience. The prize is endowed with one million U.S. dollars. Schuman is Director of the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and Professor at the Institute of Cell Biology and Neuroscience at Goethe University.