News
Unlocking the hidden biodiversity of Europe’s villages
Despite the long history of European villages, their biodiversity is not well understood compared to urban areas, forests, grasslands, or farmland. An international research team studied how landscape complexity and proximity to cities affect village biodiversity and human well-being. They found higher biodiversity in villages in forest-dominated landscapes compared to agricultural settings, while nearby cities boost human well-being. The results were published in Nature Sustainability. more…
Exploring the dynamics of change in urban and rural spaces
Global urbanization is one of the major challenges of our time. A new interdisciplinary Research Unit based at the Universities of Kassel and Göttingen investigates the diverse phenomena that emerge from the interwoven development of urban and rural areas — and the distinct underlying patterns and dynamics of change they give rise to. The German Research Foundation (DFG) will fund the new Research Unit Sustainable Rurbanity – Resources, Society, and Regulatory Systems for an initial four-year period. more…
Like magic! How our world organizes itself
The title of the new interactive special exhibition at the knowledge museum of the University of Göttingen is “Like magic! How our world organizes itself”. It covers topics as diverse as the physics of clouds, turbulent currents, and the origin of life. The exhibition includes a model wind farm, a 3D simulation of bacteria, and various games so you can have a go yourself and get involved. It runs from 28 August 2025 to 1 February 2026 at the Forum Wissen Göttingen. more…
Do red squirrels and dormice get along?
Can animals share the same space peacefully high above the ground in the treetops? A research team has found that forests combining both deciduous and conifer trees make it easier for red squirrels and dormice to coexist. Using cameras placed high in the canopy, scientists discovered that red squirrels tend to prefer coniferous forests, while dormice are more commonly found in beech forests. However, in mixed forests that include both tree types, both species were observed living side by side. more…
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Further news
Göttingen University subjects get good grades!
Good results for the University of Göttingen: in the latest "QS World University Rankings by Subject", Agricultural and Forestry sciences are first in Germany, and 21st worldwide. Development Studies is listed among the top 100 worldwide, and was placed among the top four in Germany. Biology is ranked sixth in Germany, and Theology, Religion & Religious Studies is among the top 13 in Germany. Ancient Studies and Prehistory is among the top twelve in Germany and ranks 51-150 worldwide. more…
Proposal for interim President – special Senate meeting on 5 February 2025
Following the Senate meeting on 22 November 2024, a working group had been working on a timely answer to the question of who should lead the University until the regular election of a new President. This week, the working group agreed on Professor Axel Schölmerich as interim President of the University of Göttingen. more…