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FAU and the Siemens Research and Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) Erlangen-Nuremberg had the pleasure of hosting a distinguished delegation from Tsinghua X-lab. Through Siemens’ RIE program, Siemens fosters long-term research partnerships with esteemed academic institutions, including FAU and Tsinghua University.

The race to find natural hydrogen underground is gaining speed and GeoZentrum Nordbayern at FAU is one of the institutions at the forefront of this race. The research project “Natural hydrogen in northern Bavaria” has supplied initial measurements that could revolutionize the energy system of the future.

Oracles, prayers, dance – what do these topics have in common? That is what the researchers from the KFG “Alternative rationalities and esoteric practices from a global perspective” hope to answer. In this interview, the group's speaker Prof. Dr. Michael Lackner discusses the term esoteric, explains their objectives and challenges and shares his own personal highlights.

“FAU is a platform of freedom, community spirit and innovation – especially in challenging times,” said FAU President Prof. Dr. Joachim Hornegger in his speech on the occasion of the 281st anniversary of FAU on November 4, 2024, thus announcing the theme of the event. The president emphasized: “FAU stands for clear, courageous and honest research.”

The Himbeerpalast is one of the landmarks of the city of Erlangen – and soon to become one of FAU’s iconic buildings. The Free State of Bavaria has acquired the building on behalf of FAU in order to establish a new, modern location for the humanities, currently based in the Bismarckstraße.

Dr. Petra Schmidl from FAU has received one of the most prestigious grants from the European Research Council (ERC) together with researchers from Belgium, Italy and the USA: a Synergy Grant worth 10 million euros, with almost 2.3 million going to FAU in the next six years. The researchers are investigating historical sources on occult sciences in Islamicate cultures.

Seen on a global scale, the manipulation of elections is not a rare occurrence. But which points are particularly susceptible to manipulation before, during and after elections? An assessment by election law and human rights expert Prof. Dr. Michael Krennerich from FAU.

The Bavarian Research Foundation and a Bavarian consortium from industry will jointly invest almost four million euros in the research consortium FORSocialRobots that is aimed at significantly improving the social skills of automated systems and robots. FAU-Prof. Dr. Jörg Franke will assume the role of speaker.

We invite you to participate in our survey on workplace discrimination. Your experience can help us understand and combat workplace discrimination. For employees and working students of FAU.

Before the Dies academicus, the University honors high achievers, academic achievements and services in teaching at FAU every year with the FAU Awards. Here are this year's awardees.