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NewsCurrent news from teaching, research and university life

  • Reset month

October 2026

 
Here is the cover image for the conference.

    How much control do we actually have over our own health?

     
    You can see a brain.
    • Research and knowledge
    • Health

    New Drug for Narcolepsy: Why Patients in Germany Must Continue to Wait

    A new active ingredient could fundamentally change the treatment of sleeping sickness - Witten University explains.

     
    The photograph shows the Brazilian Parliament, with its distinctive twin towers and the dome on the roof

      Launch of [tra:ce] Working Paper No. 9: "Competing State Projects and Contested Green Macrofinancial Regimes"

       
      Prof. Dr. Boris Zernikow has been awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon; he is standing between his wife and Andreas Bothe, the District President of the Münster District Government, and is smiling at the camera.
      • Health
      • University

      Pioneer in Pediatric Pain Management: Prof. Dr. Boris Zernikow Receives the Federal Cross of Merit

      The physician and scientist from Witten/Herdecke University was honored for his contributions to the care of seriously ill children and adolescents.

       
      Here you can see the project team celebrating the completion of the ParGenDA project together.
      • Diversity
      • Research and knowledge

      What do people with dementia and their families need?

      A research partnership at Witten University has identified ten key questions for gender-sensitive care for people with dementia.

       
      Here is the cover image for the first episode of “Denk mal drüber nach.” Prof. Dr. Jan Philipp Röer and Svenja Malessa.
      • Research and knowledge
      • Culture and life

      Why Some Noises Are More Distracting Than Others

      A psychologist at Witten/Herdecke University explains why conversations capture our attention and which sounds are particularly distracting.

       
      A view of an event hall packed with people. Confetti cannons are being set off.
      • Career
      • University

      ‘Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2026’: University of Witten/Herdecke ranks among the top five

      With this award, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the Central Ruhr Region recognises outstanding commitment to in-company training. The University of Witten/Herdecke is among the top five candidates in 2026.

       
      You see an old book lying open.
      • Research and knowledge
      • Management, Economics and Society

      From Thought to Action: Why We Do What We Do

      Philosophers from Witten/Herdecke University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem explain why the meaning of our thoughts might play a role.

       
      An illustration of a book cover featuring predominantly black lettering on a white background.
      • Culture and life

      Newly published in Open Access: “Exhibition Ecologies” (De Gruyter, 2026)

      The editors are Dr Regine Ehleiter from the Chair of Digital Arts and Cultural Mediation at the University of Witten/Herdecke, and Dr Friederike Schäfer from the Archive of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

       
      You can see the former dean, Prof. Dr. Dirk Sauerland, and the new dean, Prof. Dr. Nils-Christian Bormann, standing in front of the university's main building and shaking hands.
      • Research and knowledge
      • University

      The political divide is not yet as deep as it often seems

      Conflict researcher Prof. Dr. Nils-Christian Bormann of Witten/Herdecke University on wars, the resilience of democracy, and the question of why Germany needs more international perspectives.

      September 2026

       
      Here are the researchers working on the “Daisy” project.
      • Research and knowledge
      • Management, Economics and Society

      AI in Business: How People and Technology Come Together

      A new research project at Witten University, called DAISY, is investigating how companies can implement artificial intelligence in a way that is both secure and human-centered.

       
      Aerial view of the main building and the timber-framed building on the Witten/Herdecke University campus.
      • University life
      • University

      Prof. Dr Timo Meynhardt is to become President of the University of Witten/Herdecke

      UW/H has set the course for its next phase of development with a unanimous vote – the new leadership will take office on April 1st 2027

       
      Here are the winners of the poster contest.
      • Research and knowledge
      • Health

      Poster Award for an Interprofessional Care Model for People with Complex Disabilities

       
      Künstliche Intelligenz in der Medizin (Symbolbild)
      • Health
      • Management, Economics and Society

      The medicine of the future: prevention rather than treatment

       
      Auf blauem Hintergrund sieht man das Cover des Buches "Wie geht gute Politik". Auf der Mitte des Bildes ist der Titel und die Autoren geschrieben und rechts sieht man ein Portrait von beiden Autoren.

      New Publication: "Wie geht gute Politik?"

       
      The picture shows a woman sitting at a table, resting her head in her hands.
      • Health

      To mark World Headache Day (5 September): Headaches are usually easy to treat – provided the diagnosis is correct

      Many people suffer unnecessarily from regular headaches. General practitioner Prof. Dr Klaus Weckbecker from the University of Witten/Herdecke explains why painkillers are not a long-term solution.

      August 2026

       

        [tra:ce] Lecture: Javier Milei's Libertarian Experiment

        Am 14.07. gab Nicolás Aguila im Rahmen der [tra:ce] Vorträge einen Einblick in die bisherige Amtszeit von Javier Milei.

         
        Cell fusion (illustrative image)
        • Research and knowledge
        • Health

        Witten/Herdecke University is researching new approaches to the development and potential treatment of cancer

        A new specialist book explains how cell fusion influences the development and growth of cancer.

         
        A hand drops a ballot envelope into the ballot box.
        • Research and knowledge
        • Management, Economics and Society

        Saxony-Anhalt Ahead of the Election: It Doesn't Matter Who Wins

        Lukas Stötzer, an election researcher at the University of Witten, explains why Saxony-Anhalt could become a test case for a new reality in the German party system.

         
        The judge’s gavel as a symbolic image
        • Research

        Better data for better healthcare

        A new law is intended to promote the use of health data – including for research at Witten/Herdecke University.

        July 2026

         
        You can see a stuffed horse sitting in a wheelchair.
        • Diversity
        • Research and knowledge

        Assistive Device Reform Falls Short: Many Families Continue to Struggle to Obtain Wheelchairs and Orthotics for Their Children

        A study by the University of Witten shows that three out of four parents have not seen any improvement since the law was changed.

         
        Exterior view of the Witten/Herdecke University building
        • Health
        • Study

        Interprofessional Research Training Group for Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences (IGIM) launches a new cohort

        Those interested can apply for the Interprofessional Research Training Group for Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Witten.

         
        A black-and-white group photo featuring the first students in the "Nursing Science" program.
        • Research and knowledge
        • Health

        From a Pioneering Idea to a Model of Success: 30 Years of Nursing Science at Witten/Herdecke University

        Leading nursing researchers are discussing the future of health care in Witten.

         
        An AI-powered computer workstation, the screen of which displays several professional graphics programmes.
        • Culture and life

        Witten/Herdecke University opens media lab with a digital art exhibition

        By creating new jobs and adopting new technologies, the university is strengthening media-based teaching and research within the Studium fundamentale programme.

         
        Presentation photo: in the foreground, two students stand in front of a projected PowerPoint presentation; in the background, several people in the audience can be seen from behind

          The [tra:ce] Wuppertal Research Seminar Concludes

          On 13 July 2026, the closing meeting of the Wuppertal Research Seminar took place in the assembly hall of the Wuppertal Institute.

           
          eResearch Alliance logo
          • Research

          Research data management at UW/H to be represented at FDM@Campus 2026

          At the national conference, Witten/Herdecke University is presenting its strategy for embedding research data management.

           
          Three students are walking across the campus of Witten/Herdecke University, beaming with joy.
          • Career
          • University

          Graduates of Witten/Herdecke University feel very well prepared for the professional world

          Alumnae and alumni from the class of 2024 were surveyed by the Institute for Applied Statistics (ISTAT) about their academic studies.

           
          Slogan: "NFDI: Data as a shared resource for excellent research, organised by the scientific community in Germany."
          • Research

          Long-term NFDI funding strengthens research data management at UW/H

          The new agreement between the federal and state governments secures the National Research Data Infrastructure until 2038 and creates better conditions for the further development of research data management and research at Witten/Herdecke University.

           
          Group photo from the ATLAS network meeting in front of the entrance to the wooden building at Witten/Herdecke University.
          • Research and knowledge
          • Health
          • Management, Economics and Society

          Witten/Herdecke University showcases digital pioneers in patient care

          The network meeting honours 25 pioneers of digital healthcare in North Rhine-Westphalia and fosters dialogue between academia and the clinical sector.

           
          You see three people standing in front of the university, smiling at the camera.
          • Research and knowledge
          • Health

          Traumatized refugees should have easier access to psychological help

          A project at Witten University brings together those affected and psychotherapists, providing support through language mediation, continuing education, and supervision.