Biographical studies on Leopoldina members during National Socialism
How did Leopoldina members act during National Socialism? This question is at the centre of the project "Biographical studies on Leopoldina members during National Socialism", which builds on the intensive research into the Leopoldina's own history that has been going on for two decades. The book initiated by Wolfgang U. Eckart ML † and funded by the Volkswagen Foundation aims to compile and analyse selected biographies of Leopoldina members during National Socialism and to create a database of members who were scientifically active during the "Third Reich".
Last edited: 18. March 2026
Publications, resources and events
The project is based on existing scientific-historical and biographical research on the members as well as on its own research, especially in the Leopoldina archive. As part of the first funding phase (2021-2024), short biographies of selected members from the various sections of the Leopoldina were written, which will be made available to the public via the Leopoldina's digital library at the end of the project.
In addition, a relational database will be created which, in addition to basic biographical data on the members, will also record information on Leopoldina membership (date of election, election proposals, offices) as well as on professional stations, research interests and proximity to the political regime (party memberships, links to Nazi research projects). The database will be successively further developed during the second funding phase (2024-2026) and published after the end of the project. The results will also be recorded in further publications.
The results of this research will be incorporated into the current National Academy of Sciences' in-depth examination of the actions of its members and its own responsibility.
The project will be carried out at the Research Library and Academic Reflection Department and will receive organisational and infrastructural support. It will be supported by an independent scientific advisory board, whose members are not also members of the Leopoldina.
Funding
Project duration
2021 - 2026
Project management
- Dieter Hoffmann ML, Berlin
- Karl-Heinz Leven ML, Erlangen
- Ute Planert, Cologne
- Carsten Reinhardt ML, Bielefeld
- Volker Roelcke ML, Gießen
- Paul J. Weindling ML, Oxford
Project advisory board
- Dr Johanna Brumberg, Volkswagen Foundation, Hanover
- Dr Sören Flachowsky, Humboldt University of Berlin
- Prof Dr Christoph Gradmann, University of Oslo
- PD Dr Susanne Heim, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin
- Prof Dr Veronika Lipphardt, University of Freiburg
- Prof Dr Gabriele Metzler, Humboldt University of Berlin
- Prof Dr Volker Remmert, University of Wuppertal
- Prof Dr Maike Rotzoll, Philipps University of Marburg
- PD Dr Désirée Schauz, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
- Prof Dr Arne Schirrmacher, Humboldt University of Berlin
- Prof Dr Silke Schwandt, University of Bielefeld
- Prof Dr Friedemann Stengel, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Project processing
- Lucy Betke, research assistant
- Dr Petra Rentrop-Koch, project coordination
- Lisa Stolz, Project Coordination