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Research at Humboldt-Universität
With regard to Research Training Groups and Graduate Schools, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has been among the top German universities to acquire thirdparty funds for such projects for many years.
Photo: David Ausserhofer
Research goes beyond the traditional bipartite focus on social sciences/humanities on the one hand and natural/life sciences on the other – it is exceptionally interdisciplinary. This was also reflected in the outcome of the German Excellence Initiative, where Humboldt-Universität was among the five most successful German universities with regard to graduate schools and research clusters. In the Berlin School for Mind and Brain, for example, philosophers work alongside neuroscientists to reflect on decision-making processes, conscious and unconscious perception or mental disorders.
In the portfolio of its research activities, the university has identified the following core focal points: studies of the ancient world and history of science; philosophy; quantitative economics; life sciences with a focus on theoretical biology, neuro science and immunobiology; mathematics as a key technology; material and optical sciences as well as climate and sustainability research. These focal points are grounded on 17 Collaborative Research Centres, twelve Research Training Groups and eleven interdisciplinary centres. As nerve centres for collaboration, integrative research institutes in the life sciences and natural sciences – a unique phenomenon of Humboldt-Universität – cross-link different research areas and identify as well as address pressing issues of the future.
Nearly 400 professors work at Humboldt-Universität in research and teaching. The university is well aware of the importance of supporting the next generation of researchers. Thus, for many years it has had a pioneering role in instigating and securing funding for various junior training groups, graduate colleges and graduate schools from many funding bodies. Humboldt-Universität was among the first universities to introduce junior professorship. At a doctoral level, the Humboldt Graduate School has been designed as an umbrella organisation for training doctoral students. Exceptional academic candidates are given the opportunity of doing independent research and teaching very early on.
A site visit of Humboldt-Universität
