Researchers from the University of Jena elected to the Erfurt Academy

The  Erfurt Academy of Sciences for the Public Good has admitted five academics from Friedrich Schiller University Jena as full members: Prof. Dr mult. Nikolaus Knoepffler, Prof. Dr Karl-Heinz Lotze, Prof. Dr Matthias Perkams, Prof. Dr Birgit Weber and Prof. Dr Gunter Wolf. The Academy is thus recognizing outstanding achievements in applied ethics, physics and astronomy education, the history of philosophy, inorganic chemistry, and nephrology.

Applied ethics: Nikolaus Knoepffler

Nikolaus Knoepffler is Professor of Applied Ethics and Director of the Institute of the History, Theory and Ethics of Medicine at the University of Jena. He is being honoured for his academic achievements in medical, business and research ethics. His research focuses in particular on human dignity, human rights and the ethical challenges facing modern science and medicine.

Physics and astronomy education: Karl-Heinz Lotze

Karl-Heinz Lotze is a long-standing university lecturer in physics and astronomy education at the University of Jena. His election to the Erfurt Academy honours him for his services to teacher training, the development of astronomy education and his commitment to science communication. For decades, he has shaped teacher training, initiating further training programmes that have attracted nationwide attention and international summer schools. He has also published numerous academic papers on theoretical physics, cosmology and the didactics of physics and astronomy.

History of philosophy: Matthias Perkams

Matthias Perkams, Professor of Philosophy with a focus on antiquity and the Middle Ages at the University of Jena, is being honoured for his research achievements in ancient, late antique and medieval philosophy. He is one of the internationally recognized experts on Aristotelianism, Neoplatonism, and Christian-Oriental and early Islamic Philosophy.

Inorganic chemistry: Birgit Weber

Birgit Weber, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Jena, is being honoured for her internationally recognized work on switchable molecules, molecular magnets and functional materials. Her research combines inorganic chemistry, materials science and physics. In doing so, she opens up new perspectives for smart materials whose magnetic and optical properties can be specifically controlled.

Nephrology: Gunter Wolf

Gunter Wolf is Professor of Nephrology and General Internal Medicine at the University of Jena and Director of the Department of Internal Medicine III at Jena University Hospital (JUH). He is being honoured with admission to the Erfurt Academy for his work on the aetiology and progression of chronic kidney disease, through which he has made fundamental contributions to modern internal medicine.

A scholarly society with a long Thuringian tradition

The Erfurt Academy of Sciences for the Public GoodExternal link was founded in 1754 and is one of Germany’s most long-established academies. It sees itself as a free, independent and international scientific association. The concept of public benefit enshrined in its name aims to make a scientific contribution to the common good. Through its meetings, publications, research projects and scientific events, the Academy promotes interdisciplinary exchange. Together with the state’s universities, institutions of higher education and research institutions, it forms an intellectual centre in the Free State of Thuringia.