Young Academy for Sustainability Research will begin at the University of Freiburg

On October 28, the Young Academy for Sustainability Research will be the first of its kind in Germany. It is based at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Freiburg and is funded by the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation. The Young Academy provides a platform for interdisciplinary exchange and scientific collaboration among 16 selected young researchers on the topic of sustainability. In addition to promoting scientific discourse, the Academy aims to support initiatives at the intersection between science and society.

About the Academy’s ceremonial opening
on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the University auditorium, Collegiate Building I, Platz der Universität 3, 79098 Freiburg. Members of the press are cordially invited. Due to the limited number of seats, we kindly ask you to register by mail by October 27: young.academy@frias.uni-freiburg.de

Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein (University of Freiburg) will give the opening address, Minister Thekla Walker (Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection and Energy Sector, Baden-Württemberg), Mayor Prof. Dr. Martin Haag (City of Freiburg). The concept of the Academy will be presented by Prof. Dr. Bernd Kortmann, Director of the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (University of Freiburg). The keynote address will be given by Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer, former Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and former Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The event will be rounded off with a discussion on “Transformative Cities” and an insight into the connection between art and science by Berlin-based artist Katrin von Lehmann and Freiburg-based historian of science Prof. Dr. Veronika Lipphardt. Prorector Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit (University of Freiburg) will moderate throughout the evening; the program will be accompanied by live music by southern German jazz, folk and indie musician Veronika Mannhardt.

With the official opening on October 28, the internationally staffed academy will begin its work, which is initially scheduled for two years. During this period, researchers from Freiburg and international universities will regularly exchange ideas and meet in Freiburg to advance joint research projects, projects and publications in the field of sustainability research, organize scientific conferences and workshops, and seek contact with other institutes of the University as well as non-university research institutions, organizations and public institutions in the field of sustainability.

The event will be held in English and will alsoe be livestreamed on the University of Freiburg's video platform. Link to the livestream.

Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation

The Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation was established in 1986 by Eva Mayr-Stihl and her husband Robert Mayr. One of the focal points of the foundation’s work is the promotion of science and research. At the University of Freiburg, it has significantly promoted the strategic development of today’s field of environment and sustainability since the 1990s, in particular through endowed and named professorships, prizes and research funding, initially at the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, and later additionally at the Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH) in the Faculty of Engineering. In addition, the foundation supports the Young Academy for Sustainability Research, in which outstanding young scientists work together on an interdisciplinary basis. The University of Freiburg has awarded Eva Mayr-Stihl and Robert Mayr the distinction of honorary senator for their special contribution to the University’s positive development.