Press | Friday, 25 September 2020

Chemist Robert Schlögl is Vice President of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina

The Senate of the Leopoldina elected a new Vice President and a new Secretary yesterday. Chemist and catalysis researcher Prof. Dr. Robert Schlögl (Mülheim an der Ruhr, Berlin) is now one of the four Vice Presidents of the Academy. He succeeds physicist Prof. Dr. Gunnar Berg (Halle/Saale), who is leaving office after serving two terms. The Senate also elected historian Prof. Dr. Ute Frevert (Berlin) as Secretary of class IV (humanities, social and behavioural sciences) of the Leopoldina. She succeeds psychologist Prof. Dr. Frank Rösler (Hamburg), who held this office for ten years. Medical historian Prof. Dr. Heinz Schott (Bonn), who served in the Presidium for ten years as commissioner of archives, library, and long-term projects in an advisory capacity, is also stepping down. Plant geneticist Prof. Dr. Ulla Bonas (Halle/Saale) and computer scientist Prof. Dr. Thomas Lengauer (Saarbrücken) were re-elected for a second five-year term of office as Vice President and member of the Presidium.

Press | Tuesday, 22 September 2020

Leopoldina widmet sich den Auswirkungen Künstlicher Intelligenz auf die Gesellschaft

Künstliche Intelligenz und ihre vielfältigen Anwendungsmöglichkeiten haben Auswirkungen auf zahlreiche Lebensbereiche: von der Politik und der Wirtschaft über die Wissenschaft bis in die Alltagswelt hinein. Die Rolle Künstlicher Intelligenz in Gegenwart und Zukunft ist Thema der gemeinsamen Tagung des Zentrums für Wissenschaftsforschung und der Nachwuchsinitiative „Interdisciplinary Network for Studies Investigating Science and Technology (INSIST)“, die von Mittwoch, 30. September, bis Freitag, 2. Oktober 2020 in Halle (Saale) und Online stattfindet. Zu der Veranstaltung laden wir Sie herzlich ein und freuen uns über eine redaktionelle Erwähnung in Ihrem Medium.

Press | Thursday, 17 September 2020

Mental health in times of the pandemic: German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina hosts international virtual panel discussion

In May 2020, the United Nations warned that the COVID-19 pandemic has the seeds of a major mental health crisis if action is not taken. Social isolation, job and financial losses, uncertainty about the real impact of the crisis, and fear for physical well-being affect the mental health of many people worldwide. Do these stressors lead to an increase in the number of depressions and anxiety disorders? What are the challenges on the healthcare side? What effects do protective policy measures against the virus have for human mental health?

Press | Wednesday, 16 September 2020

Leopoldina and DFG organize virtual conference on the regulation of genome-edited plants in the EU

Joint Press Invitation of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the German Research Foundation

In the debate on the regulation of genome-edited plants in the European Union, the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the German Research Foundation (DFG) call for a differentiated regulatory framework that takes current scientific knowledge into account. On the occasion of Germany's EU Council Presidency this year, the two organizations are hosting an English-language virtual conference from Thursday, 1 October to Friday, 2 October, 2020, intended to provide scientific advice to policy-makers and society. We cordially invite you to this event and would appreciate an announcement of this date in your medium.

Press | Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Biodiversity researcher Patrick Weigelt is the 2020 winner of the Early Career Award

Dr. Patrick Weigelt, a young researcher in the field of biodiversity, macroecology, and biogeography at the University of Göttingen, will receive the Leopoldina Early Career Award 2020 presented by the Commerzbank Foundation. The prize is endowed with €30,000. The National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina honors him for developing biodiversity databases and for his research on plant biodiversity. Weigelt is investigating plant species on islands and how humans contribute to their spread outside their areas of origin. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the official award ceremony is scheduled for September 2021 on the occasion of the Leopoldina's Annual Assembly themed "Biodiversity and the Future of Variety".

Press | Wednesday, 2 September 2020

Franziska Hornig ist neue Generalsekretärin der Nationalen Akademie der Wissenschaften Leopoldina

Die Nationale Akademie der Wissenschaften Leopoldina hat eine neue Generalsekretärin. Die Wissenschaftsmanagerin und Betriebswirtin Franziska Hornig übernimmt die Position heute von der bisherigen Generalsekretärin Prof. Dr. Jutta Schnitzer-Ungefug, die nach 20 Jahren an der Spitze der Geschäftsstelle in den Ruhestand geht.

Press | Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Contact Tracing Apps against COVID-19: German National Academy Leopoldina hosts international virtual panel discussion

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile software applications have been developed worldwide. Such apps are part of a wider array of digital tools for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Which technical questions occur in the development of these apps? What ethical aspects must be considered? How can these apps be helpful in the relaxation of restrictions on public and economic life? International experts will discuss these issues at an English-language virtual panel discussion organised by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina on Wednesday, 15 July, 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m CEST.

Press | Monday, 22 June 2020

Energy transition 2030: academies describe path to carbon neutrality in Europe

Joint Press Release of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering and Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities

With the European Green Deal, the European Union has set itself the goal of operating carbon-neutral by 2050. An important element of this commitment is an energy transition away from the use of fossil energy carriers towards generation and use of renewable energies. To this end, the German Academies of Sciences recommend "no regret" measures, the introduction of a standard cross-sector CO₂ price, including a minimum price, and comprehensive changes to the infrastructure. With their ad-hoc-statement published today, "Energy transition 2030: Europe's path to carbon neutrality“, the academies present a compact series of recommendations in light of the German EU Council Presidency starting on 1 July.

Press | Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Schulen öffnen – Außerschulische Initiativen stärken

Pressemitteilung des Nationalen MINT Forums

Schulen brauchen in den MINT-Fächern eine curricular verankerte Zusammenarbeit mit außerschulischen Lernorten, um über die aktuelle Krise hinaus zukunftsfest zu werden. Dazu gehört eine Stärkung regionaler Strukturen durch eine enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen Bund, Ländern und Kommunen. Weiterhin sind tragfähige Konzepte für das digitale Lehren und Lernen zu entwickeln und umzusetzen und der Aufbau multiprofessioneller Teams notwendig. Seine fünf Kernforderungen zur MINT-Bildung stellte heute das Nationale MINT Forum (NMF) in Berlin vor. Bereits zum März erarbeitet, finden sie nun Bestätigung in der aktuellen Corona-Krise.

Press | Friday, 29 May 2020

Medical care and patient-oriented research in an adaptive healthcare system – German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina presents fourth ad-hoc-statement on the coronavirus pandemic

The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina has issued a fourth ad-hoc-statement on the coronavirus pandemic. It is dedicated to the topic: "Medical Care and Patient-Oriented Research in an Adaptive Healthcare System". The paper focuses on short- and medium-term aspects of medical and care services under the conditions of a sustained pandemic and identifies long-term measures that lead to a more resilient and adaptive healthcare system. The authors recommend a needs-based system focusing on patient well-being and quality assurance, rather than a primarily profit-oriented approach. It should appreciate all employees and integrate innovations as well as digital solutions. The aim is an adaptive healthcare system where the public health service and the ambulatory and stationary sectors work together well, and research results are promptly integrated into clinical practice.