In focus

27 April 2026|In focus

400 Years of the Reeperbahn: “The milieu has always been highly contradictory”

Der in einem neon-lila gehaltene Schriftzug Reeperbahn

Photo: AdobeStock/pixs:sell

Hamburg’s most famous street is celebrating its 400th anniversary. In this interview, Dr. Dirk Brietzke, a research associate at the Center for Hamburg History within the Department of History, discusses the history of the Reeperbahn—a place caught between prostitution, world-famous music clubs, and...

23 April 2026|In focus

Uni meets Kunsthalle: Plaster casts from the collection enhance the new exhibition

Drei kleine weiße Gipsabgüsse von Frauendarstellungen in einer Vitrine.

Photo: UHH/Priebe

For centuries, plaster casts of statues and other ancient sculptures have been an integral part of Art History and archaeological research. The University of Hamburg owns an extensive collection—and is now lending some of the pieces to the Hamburger Kunsthalle. Prof. Dr. Fanny Opdenhoff and Prof...

19 March 2026|In focus

Enriching Current Debates Through a Literary Lens

Photo: DFG/Ausserhofer

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Zumbusch of the University of Hamburg has been awarded Germany’s most prestigious research prize. The professor of modern German literature received the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize for her work in the field of the poetics of knowledge.

15 January 2026|In focus

The University of Hamburg Assumes Presidency of EUGLOH in 2026

Symbolic picture for the European university alliance EUGLOH, in which a group of women hold up European flags

Photo: University of Hamburg / Göttling

International exchange and networking: the University of Hamburg has been a member of the European University Alliance for Global Health for several years. At the beginning of 2026, it took over the annually rotating EUGLOH presidency.

7 January 2026|In focus

“We need to draw more attention to the relevance of academia to society”

Photo: Tobias Koch

Dr. Julia Reuschenbach, one of the University of Hamburg’s first senior lecturers, joined the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences on 1 December 2025. She feels her role comes with various privileges and also sees the need for academics to go public.

2 January 2026|In focus

Starting on 1 January: New telephone numbers at the University

Symbolic image for telephone with a white telephone receiver on a blue background

Photo: University of Hamburg / Engels

The University welcomes 2026 with a telephone system changeover. With a few exceptions University telephone numbers have been changed. The first 5 digits of the University line are now: 2395-2xxxx. Most extensions remain the same.

2 September 2025|In focus

Study compares development of low writing and reading skills in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

Photo: University of Hamburg / Weimer

The LEO study and the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies measure and literacy in adults. To mark the International Literacy Day on 8 September 2025, researchers at the University of Hamburg are publishing a special study that proves literacy is key to participating in...

9 October 2024|In focus

Sustainability Days 2024: Two Days Full of Exciting Events

Photo: University of Hamburg / Esfandiari

In and around the Audimax, the University of Hamburg devoted 2 days entirely to sustainability—there was even a DJ at the end. And the next open plenum on sustainability is already fast approaching.

9 October 2024|In focus

Up 4 Places: University of Hamburg Improves Its THE World University Ranking

Photo: University of Hamburg / Schell

In the latest edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, the University of Hamburg was ranked 132nd among more than 2,000 universities worldwide and 12th among German universities.

2 October 2024|In focus

Global Health as a Topic of Two EUGLOH Events

Photo: HRA/Helm

The European University Alliance for Global Health (EUGLOH) offers students and researchers from 9 European universities networking opportunities so that they can expand their knowledge in the field of global health. The University of Hamburg hosted 2 events in September.

6 August 2024|In focus

The University of Hamburg Signs Up to HRK Voluntary Commitment

Photo: University of Hamburg / Schell

The University of Hamburg is one of the first U15 universities to sign up to a German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) voluntary commitment. In taking this step, universities are reaffirming their continued commitment to gender equality in appointments.

16 May 2024|In focus

Students pitch ideas for creating a sustainable economy and society

Photo: Universität Hamburg / Röttger

How do I start a business? How do I realize an idea so that it has a societal impact? What does sustainable growth mean? Students tackle these questions in a course at the University. To present the resulting ideas, Universität Hamburg is bringing the city’s social entrepreneurship scene together...

19 March 2024|In focus

Not a phenomenon of modernity: Women as Burglars, Fraudsters, and Thugs

Photo: State and University Library Carl von Ossietzky (p.hamb.graec.144)

Each year, as part of the Agathe Lasch Visiting Scientist Program for Women in Academia, Universität Hamburg invites female academics to participate in a research stay of up to 6 months. Kerstin Droß-Krüpe, specialist in ancient history, is currently in Hamburg researching violent women in...

29 February 2024|In focus

“It Is Our Job to Teach and Exchange Knowledge for the Protection of Species Diversity”

Photo: pixabay/silviarita

The World Wildlife Day, celebrated annually across the globe on 3 March, was introduced as part of the Washington Convention (CITES) to commemorate and raise awareness about wildlife How does Universität Hamburg promote the preservation of species diversity? Three questions for Myriam Rapior,...

9 February 2024|In focus

Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld: First designs for Quartiere am Volkspark

Photo: Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld GmbH; aerial photograph: Fotofrizz B. Kuhn

As Hamburg’s newest area dedicated to science and scholarship, Science City Hamburg-Bahrenfeld is undergoing a great deal of change. Alongside the construction and renovation of scientific buildings—for Universität Hamburg among others—planning for residential and work life in the quarter is also...

6 February 2024|In focus

The University Visits Hamburg’s Schools

Prof. Buchweitz talking to a class of upper secondary school students

Photo: Universität Hamburg

Be it in physics or philosophy, researchers from Universität Hamburg, DESY, and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf will be swapping the lecture halls for the classroom to give insight into their work as part of Wir wollen’s wissen! (We want to know!).

13 December 2023|In focus

Assistance programs UHHhilft and the Hamburg Programme for Scholars at Risk Assistance Programs Extended

University’s president Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren at the press conference at the University Museum

Photo: Universität Hamburg

Universität Hamburg’s assistance programs UHHhilft and the Hamburg Programme for Scholars at Risk offer rapid and unbureaucratic help to researchers and students prevented from continuing their studies or their academic career because they have had to flee or have been expelled from their country...

11 September 2023|In focus

German U15 and Russell Group: German-British Research Exchange in Hamburg

Participants in the meeting between the German U15 and Russell Group

Photo: UHH/Röttger

On 11 and 12 September 2023, representatives of the largest German and British research universities congregated in Hamburg. They visited the hosting Universität Hamburg together and celebrated Great Britain’s association with the Horizon Europe research program.

24 July 2023|In focus

Operation Gomorrha 1943 The Bombs, Their Meaning, and the Consequences Today

Album photo of a building destroyed in 1943

Photo: Erinnerungswerk Hamburger Feuersturm / private Eduard Engel

In World War II, National Socialist Germany brought death and destruction to the world. The Allies also bombed German cities. Eighty years ago, large swaths of Hamburg were destroyed between 24 July and 3 August. Hendrik Althoff is a research associate in the German History research area who has...

10 July 2023|In focus

“We want to take advantage of digitalization in all areas.”

University president Hauke Heekeren (right) and Chief Digital Officer Sebastian Gerling

Photo: UHH/Esfandiari

After a year in creation, Universität Hamburg has released its digital strategy. So what is it, and why is it important for the University? University president Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren and chief digital officer Prof. Dr. Sebastian Gerling discuss in the interview below.

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