Dossier Alexander von Humboldt Professorship

With a value of five million euros, the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship is the most highly-endowed research award in Germany and draws top international researchers to German universities.

Humboldt Professorship: International researchers at German universities

Sandra Wachter | Law and AI

A technology law expert, Sandra Wachter is invited to work on the development of ethical and legal AI expertise in business and society in Germany. With her cutting-edge research on AI regulation, she will reinforce Potsdam’s international competitiveness. More

Ingrid Piller | Sociolinguistics

Ingrid Piller has had a lasting influence on applied linguistics. Her research into linguistic diversity and intercultural communication radiates well beyond her specialist field and has an impact on disciplines such as sociology, history and educational science. More

Daniel Kráľ | Mathematics / Computer Science

Daniel Kráľ is a top researcher in discrete mathematics. He has succeeded in solving mathematical problems and conjectures that had been open for decades. More

Dana Branzei | Molecular biology

Molecular biologist Dana Branzei examines mechanisms of DNA repair. Her outstanding research results contribute to the fundamental understanding of cancer development and therapy. More

Andreas Winter | Quantum information

Andreas Winter is a distinguished mathematician and expert on quantum information theory. His research focuses on the mathematical principles of quantum information. By appointing Winter, the University of Cologne wants to continue developing its computer science department with a focus on quantum informatics. More

Coming to Change: About the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship
Best Of Award Ceremony Alexander von Humboldt Professorship 2022

About the Humboldt Professorship

How many Humboldt Professorships are being awarded? What is the purpose of the award funds? Can Germans receive the award? Who can nominate candidates? When are decisions made, negotiations conducted and awards granted?

Background

Porträts der vier Alexander von Humboldt-Professor*innen: Karen Radner, Giuseppe Caire, Aimee van Wynsberghe und Jens Meiler
News

A Boost for Germany as a Science Base

More than 100 Humboldt Professors are now working at German universities and research institutions – four of them report on their experiences

Podcast cover: AI and Us - what Artificial Intelligence means for our lives
Podcast

AI and Us – what artificial intelligence means for our lives

In the ten-part podcast “AI and Us”, AI experts talk about their research field and answer the most important questions on artificial intelligence.

Position paper

Recommendations on Artificial Intelligence

Seven recommendations to the Government of Germany were developed during "Future of AI" summit of Alexander von Humboldt Professors in the field of AI (September 2023, Aachen) and were unanimously approved by the professors present.

Focus

Coming to Change: Humboldt Professors

Great flexibility, exemplary freedom of research and, last but not least, a vast amount of money: since 2008, the Alexander von Humboldt Professorship has been attracting top international researchers to Germany.

Binnenflüchtlingscamp Hasan Sham
Close up on research

The hidden costs of violence

The Humboldt Professor Anke Hoeffler studies the causes of violence – whether in civil wars or people’s own homes – and what it eventually costs.

Focus

We Need Fearless Universities

A conversation with Enno Aufderheide, Secretary General of the Humboldt Foundation, on recruiting research luminaries and the benefits they bring German universities.

Multimedia report

Humboldt Professor Margaret Crofoot

The behavioural ecologist Margaret Crofoot describes her research methods and talks about her role as a model for women in science.

Brief Enquiries

Humboldt Professor Jochen Guck

The Director of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light emphasises: "In my experience, academia is the ideal environment for diversity. Research continuously scrutinises established patterns of thought."

Focus

Humboldt Professor Sharon Macdonald

“Museums are extremely important for our societies because that is where people decide which things will play a role in the future,” says British ethnologist Sharon Macdonald.