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

Tina Malti | Developmental psychology

How do war and violence affect children psychologically? And how can children overcome such traumas? These are the kind of questions the psychologist Tina Malti explores in her research on childhood development. more

Edvardas Narevicius | Atomic and molecular physics

Edvardas Narevicius is one of the pioneers of ultra-low temperature chemistry. His experiments make it possible to observe novel quantum effects. He is invited to TU Dortmund University to reinforce the focus in experimental and theoretical quantum optics. more

Heike Vallery | Medical robotics

The human gait – which usually looks intuitive and natural – is an extremely complex form of locomotion. Mechanical engineer Heike Vallery studies gait and balance and develops applications for the rehabilitation of people with reduced mobility. more

Hector Geffner | Artificial intelligence and machine learning

Hector Geffner is seen as one of the leading minds on the global AI stage and a pioneer of automated planning. In Aachen, he will enhance Germany’s visibility as an AI hub and help to further Europe’s vanguard position in developing human-centred AI. more

Miki Ebisuya | Developmental biology

Why is the biological development of the human slower than that of the mouse? Japanese researcher Miki Ebisuya works on the biophysical mechanisms behind this question. 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.