Dear reader,

From Argentina to Sri Lanka, from South Africa to Turkey: For ten years now, researchers from developing and transition countries have been chosen to receive a prestigious Georg Forster Research Award. These awards − which come with €60,000 each − turn a special spotlight on researchers’ contributions to achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and, at the same time, give the award winners’ countries the opportunity to push forward developments of their own in collaboration with the German research community. In addition, the selection of recipients sends a signal for gender equality: This year, the award went to more female researchers than ever before.

Gender equality and freedom are also two of the central demands of the people currently demonstrating in Iran. In an interview, the Humboldtian Raika Khorshidian explains why she is raising her voice against the repressive system − despite the risk to her own personal safety − and the role that the art and culture scene is playing in the protests.

You can also discover in this issue of our newsletter which two Humboldtians were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, what the Humboldt network has to say about the German government’s planned budgetary cuts, and how the new Bench Talks podcast brings current world affairs and science communication together.

We wish you interesting reading and an absorbing audio experience!