The GRASSI Museum for Ethnology in Leipzig is the home to 200,000 objects, 100,000 photographic documents and archival materials, as well as more than 100,000 books. Thus, it stands as one of the oldest and most renowned ethnological museums in Germany. With its project REINVENTING GRASSI.SKD, the museum is gradually transforming into a network museum. Central to this transformation is a critical reflection on the museum’s history and collections within the framework of German and European colonialism. In collaboration with source communities, segments of local society, and international partners, the museum is rethinking object presentations, research, and educational programs.

The Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University is one of the oldest and most significant collections of historical musical instruments. Its predecessor collections, established by Paul de Wit in Leipzig and Wilhelm Heyer in Cologne, played a pivotal role around 1900 in the development of the study of musical instruments as a specialized discipline within musicology. Since then, the museum and its study collection have become an internationally recognized institution and a valued research partner for historical and systematic musicology, along with all its interdisciplinary connections. At the same time, the collection is presented to the public as a museum of Leipzig University, enriching the cultural life of the city through an extensive program of special exhibitions, tours, and concerts.

Leipzig University is the second oldest university in Germany, and the Leipzig University Archives are responsible for the preservation of the University’s records since its foundation in 1409. The staff of the University Archives support students, academics, users, family researchers, doctoral candidates, interested Leipzig citizens, and alumni of Leipzig University with on-site research, extensive databases, information on university history and archiving, as well as research opportunities on the Internet. Guided tours and a blog with information on anniversaries, media contributions, and numerous (virtual) exhibitions also serve the transfer of knowledge.

The Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) focuses its research on the region between the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic. From Late Antiquity to the present, it examines the characteristics, transformations, and interrelationships of this region within an increasingly globalized world. At the GWZO, experts from various humanities disciplines and scholarly traditions collaborate. The institute shares its research findings with specialists and the public through academic and non-academic publications, exhibitions, events, and digital knowledge resources. In this way, past and present developments in Eastern Europe are made more comprehensible.

As Leipzig’s first municipal school, the Old Nikolai School at Nikolai churchyard is one of the city’s most valuable cultural monuments. It first opened its doors in 1512. Famous alumni of the school include Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Johann Gottfried Seume, Richard Wagner, and Karl Liebknecht. Today it houses a permanent exhibition on Richard Wagner, and the Leipzig University Museum of Antiquities.

The origin of the Leipzig City Council Library and later the Leipzig City Library began from donations of 42 books from the estate of Dietrich von Bocksdorf (deceased 1466) and 253 books from town clerk and syndic Peter Freitag. By the end of the 19th century, the collection had grown to over 100,000 books, and the music department of the city library was established. By its 250th anniversary in 1927, the library had 155,000 volumes, including 660 early printed works (incunabula), and 1,702 manuscripts. Since 1991, the City Library has been housed in the old Grassi Museum at Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. In addition to providing an extensive media offering and free access to information, the Leipzig City Library enriches the cultural life of Leipzig with events for all age groups and serves as a place of encounter and joint learning.

The Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig is a venue for political and historical education, and one of four museums of the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland Foundation. The permanent exhibition “Our History: Dictatorship and Democracy after 1945” takes visitors on a journey through history – from the years after the Second World War to life in former East Germany and today’s Federal Republic of Germany. Furthermore, the forum presents special exhibitions on topics of relevance to the German civil society, and it offers a thriving cultural program with film exhibitions, talks, round-table discussions, and conferences.

The collection is regarded as the largest and most important university collection of its kind in Germany. It features unique archaeological discoveries, primarily from Lower Nubian Aniba.

The Else-Frenkel-Brunswik Institute (EFBI) at the University of Leipzig, founded in the fall of 2020, is named after the psychoanalyst Else Frenkel-Brunswik, whose research tradition the institute follows. The EFBI focuses on three key areas of research: attitude research, research in conflict areas, and the documentation of anti-democratic networks. Notable studies include the Berlin Monitor and the Leipzig Authoritarianism Studies. The results of the institute’s research are presented and discussed in numerous public events.

The Antikenmuseum of Leipzig University was founded in 1840, making it one of the oldest and most significant collections of Greek and Roman antiquities at German universities. Alongside the sculpture collection of the State Art Collections Dresden, it is now Saxony’s only museum offering comprehensive information on Greek and Roman antiquity. The museum is also deeply integrated into university teaching and research through various collaborative efforts.

The Institute of Communication and Media Studies was founded in 1916 as „Institut für Zeitungskunde”. It is one of the oldest and one of the largest institutes for this research in the German realm. Presenently, its research focus are the change of media and society. It is cooperating with stakeholders and experts from politics and society to turn its expertise in practical actions.

The School Museum — Workshop for School History Leipzig is an institution of the City of Leipzig, in collaboration with Leipzig University and HTWK Leipzig. Its unique collections and library holdings offer a comprehensive documentation of Leipzig’s history of education and schooling. The museum features lessons from the Imperial Era and the GDR school system, along with exhibitions, workshops, and project initiatives that explore the intersection of education and resistance, offering fresh perspectives on these themes.

Founded in 1873, the Institute of Art History is one of the few art historical institutes globally that was established in the 19th century. The research and teaching of the professors, lecturers, and numerous teaching assistants from the art history field cover the entire spectrum of the discipline, from the Middle Ages to the present. The institute maintains contact with the public in Leipzig through numerous and close collaborations with the art museums in the city center.

In 1879, Leipzig University professor Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt (1832 – 1920) founded the world’s first Institute of Psychology. Many scholars from around the world attended Wundt’s lectures, participated in his seminars, and took part in experimental research in his laboratory. He wrote numerous highly influential books and provided assessments for 184 doctoral theses. At least 60 of his doctoral students came from abroad, including 18 from the United States. Today, ten university professors work at the Institute of Psychology, and three honorary professors serve as directors at the Leipzig Max Planck Institutes for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and for Evolutionary Anthropology. Their research spans all major fundamental and applied areas of contemporary psychology.

The Prehistoric and Protohistoric Collection was established shortly after setting up the chair in Leipzig in 1934 by the first professor, Kurt Tackenberg. It comprises earlier collections from local citizens and antiquarian societies in Leipzig, which were subsequently expanded through targeted acquisitions. Despite significant losses during World War II, the collection grew to over 10,000 artifacts. These original finds and replicas offer a comprehensive overview of all periods of prehistoric and protohistoric Central Europe, from the Paleolithic hand axe (1 million years ago) to the medieval stove tile (14th century). They continue to play a central role in the curricular activities on pre- and protohistory to this day. Visits are possible only by prior arrangement and during special events.

The collection is regarded as the largest and most important university collection of its kind in Germany. It features unique archaeological discoveries, primarily from Lower Nubian Aniba.

The GRASSI Museum for Ethnology in Leipzig is the home to 200,000 objects, 100,000 photographic documents and archival materials, as well as more than 100,000 books. Thus, it stands as one of the oldest and most renowned ethnological museums in Germany. With its project REINVENTING GRASSI.SKD, the museum is gradually transforming into a network museum. Central to this transformation is a critical reflection on the museum’s history and collections within the framework of German and European colonialism. In collaboration with source communities, segments of local society, and international partners, the museum is rethinking object presentations, research, and educational programs.

The Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University is one of the oldest and most significant collections of historical musical instruments. Its predecessor collections, established by Paul de Wit in Leipzig and Wilhelm Heyer in Cologne, played a pivotal role around 1900 in the development of the study of musical instruments as a specialized discipline within musicology. Since then, the museum and its study collection have become an internationally recognized institution and a valued research partner for historical and systematic musicology, along with all its interdisciplinary connections. At the same time, the collection is presented to the public as a museum of Leipzig University, enriching the cultural life of the city through an extensive program of special exhibitions, tours, and concerts.

The GRASSI Museum for Ethnology in Leipzig is the home to 200,000 objects, 100,000 photographic documents and archival materials, as well as more than 100,000 books. Thus, it stands as one of the oldest and most renowned ethnological museums in Germany. With its project REINVENTING GRASSI.SKD, the museum is gradually transforming into a network museum. Central to this transformation is a critical reflection on the museum’s history and collections within the framework of German and European colonialism. In collaboration with source communities, segments of local society, and international partners, the museum is rethinking object presentations, research, and educational programs.

Leipzig hosts a considerable number of museums with a focus on research and teaching. Particularly important are the Grassi Museum for Ethnology and the German Museum of Books and Writing. Moreover, the university operates four important museums, and the city of Leipzig is operating the Leipzig Natural History Museum and the School Museum.

The Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University is one of the oldest and most significant collections of historical musical instruments. Its predecessor collections, established by Paul de Wit in Leipzig and Wilhelm Heyer in Cologne, played a pivotal role around 1900 in the development of the study of musical instruments as a specialized discipline within musicology. Since then, the museum and its study collection have become an internationally recognized institution and a valued research partner for historical and systematic musicology, along with all its interdisciplinary connections. At the same time, the collection is presented to the public as a museum of Leipzig University, enriching the cultural life of the city through an extensive program of special exhibitions, tours, and concerts.

The German National Library is the central archive library for all media works in German from Germany and abroad. The building complex also houses the German Music Archive and the German Museum for Books and Writing. Hence, the German National Library is a library and archive, a museum, and a forum of public exchange. The German National Library is a place of freedom of information and expression, which aims to inspire and at the same time encourage critical thinking with a comprehensive program of events and hands-on activities.

The collection is regarded as the largest and most important university collection of its kind in Germany. It features unique archaeological discoveries, primarily from Lower Nubian Aniba.

The Antikenmuseum of Leipzig University was founded in 1840, making it one of the oldest and most significant collections of Greek and Roman antiquities at German universities. Alongside the sculpture collection of the State Art Collections Dresden, it is now Saxony’s only museum offering comprehensive information on Greek and Roman antiquity. The museum is also deeply integrated into university teaching and research through various collaborative efforts.

The School Museum — Workshop for School History Leipzig is an institution of the City of Leipzig, in collaboration with Leipzig University and HTWK Leipzig. Its unique collections and library holdings offer a comprehensive documentation of Leipzig’s history of education and schooling. The museum features lessons from the Imperial Era and the GDR school system, along with exhibitions, workshops, and project initiatives that explore the intersection of education and resistance, offering fresh perspectives on these themes.

The GRASSI Museum for Ethnology in Leipzig is the home to 200,000 objects, 100,000 photographic documents and archival materials, as well as more than 100,000 books. Thus, it stands as one of the oldest and most renowned ethnological museums in Germany. With its project REINVENTING GRASSI.SKD, the museum is gradually transforming into a network museum. Central to this transformation is a critical reflection on the museum’s history and collections within the framework of German and European colonialism. In collaboration with source communities, segments of local society, and international partners, the museum is rethinking object presentations, research, and educational programs.

The collection of the Veterinary Anatomical Institute includes anatomical and embryological specimens, as well as demonstration objects used in veterinary education. Students can also access them for self-study. In addition to specimens, the collection features models, plaster casts, and sculptures, providing insights into the anatomy of organ systems in domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, small mammals, and a selection of zoo and wild animals.

Leipzig hosts a considerable number of museums with a focus on research and teaching. Particularly important are the Grassi Museum for Ethnology and the German Museum of Books and Writing. Moreover, the university operates four important museums, and the city of Leipzig is operating the Leipzig Natural History Museum and the School Museum.

The Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University is one of the oldest and most significant collections of historical musical instruments. Its predecessor collections, established by Paul de Wit in Leipzig and Wilhelm Heyer in Cologne, played a pivotal role around 1900 in the development of the study of musical instruments as a specialized discipline within musicology. Since then, the museum and its study collection have become an internationally recognized institution and a valued research partner for historical and systematic musicology, along with all its interdisciplinary connections. At the same time, the collection is presented to the public as a museum of Leipzig University, enriching the cultural life of the city through an extensive program of special exhibitions, tours, and concerts.

With over 2,600 public botanical collections worldwide, housing more than 300 million plant specimens, the Leipzig Herbarium stands as one of the most historically significant. It was founded in 1806 by Chr. F. Schwägrichen (1775–1853) and is the oldest university herbarium in Germany. The collection is primarily a research collection, with subcollections specifically designed for student education. As a service to the public, the herbarium offers species identification, provides cultivation recommendations for plants, and suggests measures to combat phytoparasitic fungi.

The university collections are used to document and preserve the physical objects of research. They support the teaching by providing a tactile context for historical or abstract concepts, and by communicating overarching concepts in hands-on narratives. They are open regularly for public audiences in guided tours and public events.

The Botanical Garden at Leipzig University is the oldest of its kind in Germany and is considered one of the oldest gardens in Europe, along with Pisa, Padua and Florence. In its more than 450-year history, it has been relocated four times within the city limits of Leipzig. Since 1877 it resides at its current location in Linnéstraße. Today, the Botanical Garden is a garden of diversity. It is not only used for teaching and research, but also as a space for fostering interaction and a meeting place for knowledge transfer between the university and society.

The German National Library is the central archive library for all media works in German from Germany and abroad. The building complex also houses the German Music Archive and the German Museum for Books and Writing. Hence, the German National Library is a library and archive, a museum, and a forum of public exchange. The German National Library is a place of freedom of information and expression, which aims to inspire and at the same time encourage critical thinking with a comprehensive program of events and hands-on activities.

The medical history collections at the Karl Sudhoff Institute go back to the fundamental Leipzig research work of Karl Sudhoff (1853 – 1938). Since then, the collection has been continuously expanded through purchases, donations, and bequests. Most of the objects date from the last decades of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. A small part even dates back to the 16th century. Selected objects and special exhibitions can now be seen in new premises on the campus of the University Medical Center.

The Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig is a venue for political and historical education, and one of four museums of the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland Foundation. The permanent exhibition “Our History: Dictatorship and Democracy after 1945” takes visitors on a journey through history – from the years after the Second World War to life in former East Germany and today’s Federal Republic of Germany. Furthermore, the forum presents special exhibitions on topics of relevance to the German civil society, and it offers a thriving cultural program with film exhibitions, talks, round-table discussions, and conferences.

Numerous university professors set up collections to support their teaching, and in the 19th century a number of Leipzig businessmen (and their wives) established famous private collections. From these roots emerged a considerable number of important scientific museums and collections in Leipzig.

The collection is regarded as the largest and most important university collection of its kind in Germany. It features unique archaeological discoveries, primarily from Lower Nubian Aniba.

Wonder – Knowledge – Growth | INSPIRATA e.V. is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting mathematics and natural science education. The aim is to inspire children and young people, starting from preschool age, to develop a passion for STEM subjects — not with complicated formulas and symbols, but in a hands-on, and engaging way! The core of INSPIRATA is a constantly evolving exhibition with exhibits through which visitors can experience the natural sciences by conducting their own experiments. True to the motto “Wonder – Knowledge – Growth,” it offers the opportunity to engage in experiments and uncover the principles behind them.

Thanks to the work of generations of geoscientists at the Institute and donations from important collectors and patrons, the Geological-Palaeontological Collection at Leipzig University has grown into one of the largest and most important fossil and rock collections in the German university landscape. Today, the teaching and research repository contains around 85,000 items, spread across 1,780 collection drawers in 110 collection cabinets. The items in the collection bring the diverse geological past of Saxony and Central Germany to life. Since mid-May 2019, they can once again be admired in their historic rooms. Regular events and special exhibitions provide the general public with geoscientific and palaeontological knowledge about Saxony, Central Germany and the world.

The Antikenmuseum of Leipzig University was founded in 1840, making it one of the oldest and most significant collections of Greek and Roman antiquities at German universities. Alongside the sculpture collection of the State Art Collections Dresden, it is now Saxony’s only museum offering comprehensive information on Greek and Roman antiquity. The museum is also deeply integrated into university teaching and research through various collaborative efforts.

The School Museum — Workshop for School History Leipzig is an institution of the City of Leipzig, in collaboration with Leipzig University and HTWK Leipzig. Its unique collections and library holdings offer a comprehensive documentation of Leipzig’s history of education and schooling. The museum features lessons from the Imperial Era and the GDR school system, along with exhibitions, workshops, and project initiatives that explore the intersection of education and resistance, offering fresh perspectives on these themes.

In general, maps serve to impart knowledge, act as orientation aids in the terrain, are contemporary witnesses, and often also works of art. They document current and historical conditions of topographical and thematic content of any kind. The Geoscientific Map Collection of the Institute of Geography is a teaching collection comprising over 33,000 inventoried maps, atlases, travel and specialist literature, and explanatory notes. The majority of the objects (approx. 26,900) are recorded electronically, can be accessed internally in a database, or are also available online. The premises of the collection can be visited by appointment or during the opening hours of the collection.

The collection of the first Zoological Museum was opened in 1837 by the first Chair of Zoology, Eduard Friedrich Poeppig. From 1907, the taxidermist Hermanus Hendrikus ter Meer from Leiden made a decisive contribution with the dermoplastic technique: this made it possible to prepare vertebrates in a proportionate and therefore lifelike manner. In the 1960s a large part of the collection was transferred to other museums, in particular the Leipzig Natural History Museum.

The Prehistoric and Protohistoric Collection was established shortly after setting up the chair in Leipzig in 1934 by the first professor, Kurt Tackenberg. It comprises earlier collections from local citizens and antiquarian societies in Leipzig, which were subsequently expanded through targeted acquisitions. Despite significant losses during World War II, the collection grew to over 10,000 artifacts. These original finds and replicas offer a comprehensive overview of all periods of prehistoric and protohistoric Central Europe, from the Paleolithic hand axe (1 million years ago) to the medieval stove tile (14th century). They continue to play a central role in the curricular activities on pre- and protohistory to this day. Visits are possible only by prior arrangement and during special events.

The GRASSI Museum for Ethnology in Leipzig is the home to 200,000 objects, 100,000 photographic documents and archival materials, as well as more than 100,000 books. Thus, it stands as one of the oldest and most renowned ethnological museums in Germany. With its project REINVENTING GRASSI.SKD, the museum is gradually transforming into a network museum. Central to this transformation is a critical reflection on the museum’s history and collections within the framework of German and European colonialism. In collaboration with source communities, segments of local society, and international partners, the museum is rethinking object presentations, research, and educational programs.

The origins of the veterinary clinics date back to 1780. In 1923, it was incorporated into the University of Leipzig where a separate campus was built for the new Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Today, it is one of five veterinary training centers in Germany. Research focuses on emerging animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe, and their potential impact on agriculture, ecosystems and human health. The faculty is involved in knowledge transfer at the children’s project day “VetDay,” participation in the Children’s University and the studium universale, as well as the Long Night of Sciences.

Faculty libraries have existed since the university was established. A centralized university library was founded in the mid-16th century, following the Reformation and the subsequent dissolution of monasteries. Selected book collections from monasteries in Albertine Saxony were transferred to this library, forming the initial foundation of the Bibliotheca Albertina. Over time, the collection grew through further acquisitions and donations. Today, the University Library Leipzig (ULB) holds one of Germany’s largest collections of historical materials. In the 19th century, the university library became the central hub for providing literature to the university community. Today, it also serves as a significant venue for exhibitions and events.

The Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow (DI) conducts multidisciplinary and historically comprehensive research on Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe from the Middle Ages to the present. Its research adopts a pan-European perspective and includes the regions of Jewish emigration, particularly Israel, as well as North and Latin America. Through events, university teaching, and a wide range of publications, the research findings are communicated to both academic audiences and the interested public. A stated goal is to conduct high-level humanities research and to enhance societal differentiation and critical thinking through the transfer of knowledge by conveying scientific insights.

The Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Leipzig was founded on 1 July 1846, under the name of Royal Saxon Society of Sciences. It follows the tradition of scientific academies set out by Leibnitz around 1700: bringing together scientists from various disciplines for regular exchanges of ideas, discussing methods and findings of specialized research in an interdisciplinary dialogue, conducting long-term research projects, and combining “theoriam cum praxi”—the union of theory and practice. To this end the Academy regularly convenes nationally and internationally renowned scholars for cross-disciplinary discussions.

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVA) was founded in 1997. Researchers from over 30 countries and different disciplines work in seven departments. Their common goal is to explore the history of humanity from an interdisciplinary perspective. This involves comparative analyses of the genes, cultures, cognitive abilities, and social systems of past and present human populations, as well as those of closely related primate groups. Of particular note is the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to the Institute’s founding director, Svante Pääbo, for his discoveries related to the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.

The collection of the Veterinary Anatomical Institute includes anatomical and embryological specimens, as well as demonstration objects used in veterinary education. Students can also access them for self-study. In addition to specimens, the collection features models, plaster casts, and sculptures, providing insights into the anatomy of organ systems in domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, small mammals, and a selection of zoo and wild animals.

The Alma Mater Lipsiensis was founded in 1409 by an initiative of scholars who emigrated from the University of Prague, and in 1519 the Leipzig Disputations at the university were the beginning of the schisma between Rome and the Lutherans. During the reformation the university received donations that turned it into one of the riches universities in the Holy Roman Empire. Numerous scholars of world fame have taught and studied here, and time and again important impulses for the development of science emerged in Leipzig. Moreover, due to its role as leading university of the kingdom (and later state) of Saxony it contributed markedly to the development of the wider region. A corner stone of these endeavors has always been its Motto Surpassing Borders by Tradition.

Leipzig hosts a considerable number of museums with a focus on research and teaching. Particularly important are the Grassi Museum for Ethnology and the German Museum of Books and Writing. Moreover, the university operates four important museums, and the city of Leipzig is operating the Leipzig Natural History Museum and the School Museum.

Leipzig University was inaugurated on 2 December 1409, and in 1512 the Nikolai School accepted its first students. Since this time academic institutions play an important role in the Leipzig’s civil society. Currently, Leipzig has five universities that look back to a history of more than 100 years.

The Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University is one of the oldest and most significant collections of historical musical instruments. Its predecessor collections, established by Paul de Wit in Leipzig and Wilhelm Heyer in Cologne, played a pivotal role around 1900 in the development of the study of musical instruments as a specialized discipline within musicology. Since then, the museum and its study collection have become an internationally recognized institution and a valued research partner for historical and systematic musicology, along with all its interdisciplinary connections. At the same time, the collection is presented to the public as a museum of Leipzig University, enriching the cultural life of the city through an extensive program of special exhibitions, tours, and concerts.

The Max Planck Society (MPG) was founded in 1948 to keep up the tradition of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gesellschaft. Many outstanding reserachers have worked and continue to work at this most renowned German research organization, as exemplified by the large number of nobel laureates among its ranks. After the reunification in 1989 the society founded new institutes in several locations in Eastern Germany. Three of them are located in Leipzig.

Physical research in Leipzig dates back to 1557 when a professorship for physics was established. In the 18th century, even Saxon princes traveled from Dresden to witness impressive demonstrations of electrical charges and discharges. In 1835, the University of Leipzig (UL) established “one of the first, if not the first, state physics institutes in Germany” (according to Otto Wiener). In 1905, the largest physics institute building in Germany at the time was inaugurated on Linnéstraße. In the 1920s, the institute was led by Peter Debye (Nobel Prize 1936), Werner Heisenberg (Nobel Prize 1933), and Friedrich Hund. The fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and its applications in solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and chemistry were largely developed in Leipzig. After World War II, Gustav Hertz (Nobel Prize 1925) rebuilt the building and the research operations.

The German National Library is the central archive library for all media works in German from Germany and abroad. The building complex also houses the German Music Archive and the German Museum for Books and Writing. Hence, the German National Library is a library and archive, a museum, and a forum of public exchange. The German National Library is a place of freedom of information and expression, which aims to inspire and at the same time encourage critical thinking with a comprehensive program of events and hands-on activities.

The Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) focuses its research on the region between the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic. From Late Antiquity to the present, it examines the characteristics, transformations, and interrelationships of this region within an increasingly globalized world. At the GWZO, experts from various humanities disciplines and scholarly traditions collaborate. The institute shares its research findings with specialists and the public through academic and non-academic publications, exhibitions, events, and digital knowledge resources. In this way, past and present developments in Eastern Europe are made more comprehensible.

The Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) is an internationally renowned research institute into the fundamentals of human cognition. The main focus of the research is on fundamental mechanisms of human thinking and the neural foundations of higher brain functions such as language, memory, orientation, music, and communication. Furthermore, the plastic change capacity of the brain and its influence on various cognitive abilities are examined, as well as the neuronal and hormonal basis of diseases of civilization such as high blood pressure and obesity.

With over 2,600 public botanical collections worldwide, housing more than 300 million plant specimens, the Leipzig Herbarium stands as one of the most historically significant. It was founded in 1806 by Chr. F. Schwägrichen (1775–1853) and is the oldest university herbarium in Germany. The collection is primarily a research collection, with subcollections specifically designed for student education. As a service to the public, the herbarium offers species identification, provides cultivation recommendations for plants, and suggests measures to combat phytoparasitic fungi.

The university collections are used to document and preserve the physical objects of research. They support the teaching by providing a tactile context for historical or abstract concepts, and by communicating overarching concepts in hands-on narratives. They are open regularly for public audiences in guided tours and public events.

As Leipzig’s first municipal school, the Old Nikolai School at Nikolai churchyard is one of the city’s most valuable cultural monuments. It first opened its doors in 1512. Famous alumni of the school include Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Johann Gottfried Seume, Richard Wagner, and Karl Liebknecht. Today it houses a permanent exhibition on Richard Wagner, and the Leipzig University Museum of Antiquities.

Leipzig University established the first research institutes for many scientific disciplines. Thus, in 1846 the city became the seat of the Saxonian Academy of Sciences, and presently three Max Planck Institutes, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, and a large number of Leibniz-Institutes contribute to its role as an established center of international research.

In 1710, the University of Leipzig appointed its first “Professor of Chemistry.” Approximately a century later, the university inaugurated its first chemical laboratory. By the next century, Leipzig had firmly established itself as a distinguished center of research and education, recognized globally for its academic excellence. Wilhelm Ostwald received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909 for his research at Leipzig, and four alumni from the university — August Arrhenius (1903), Walther Hermann Nernst (1920), as well as Friedrich Bergius and Carl Bosch (1931) — were also awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Leipzig’s research diversity is reflected in its four Leibniz Institutes. The Leibniz Association, named after the philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716), a native of Leipzig, is one of Germany’s four non-university research organizations. It connects 96 independent institutes focusing on fields such as natural sciences, engineering, economics, and the humanities. Addressing socially, economically, and ecologically relevant topics, the Leibniz Institutes are jointly funded by federal and state governments due to their national significance.

The origin of the Leipzig City Council Library and later the Leipzig City Library began from donations of 42 books from the estate of Dietrich von Bocksdorf (deceased 1466) and 253 books from town clerk and syndic Peter Freitag. By the end of the 19th century, the collection had grown to over 100,000 books, and the music department of the city library was established. By its 250th anniversary in 1927, the library had 155,000 volumes, including 660 early printed works (incunabula), and 1,702 manuscripts. Since 1991, the City Library has been housed in the old Grassi Museum at Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. In addition to providing an extensive media offering and free access to information, the Leipzig City Library enriches the cultural life of Leipzig with events for all age groups and serves as a place of encounter and joint learning.

The Botanical Garden at Leipzig University is the oldest of its kind in Germany and is considered one of the oldest gardens in Europe, along with Pisa, Padua and Florence. In its more than 450-year history, it has been relocated four times within the city limits of Leipzig. Since 1877 it resides at its current location in Linnéstraße. Today, the Botanical Garden is a garden of diversity. It is not only used for teaching and research, but also as a space for fostering interaction and a meeting place for knowledge transfer between the university and society.

The Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences (MPI MiS) is an internationally oriented research institute for mathematics, with a research focus on the interaction between mathematics and other sciences. The institute’s name is understood as a philosophical and cultural mission: to view mathematics not merely as a modern and powerful tool for scientific applications, but also as a means to address fundamental questions in the sciences through its unique approach, thereby enriching mathematics itself. In addition to its academic mission, the institute is particularly committed to supporting early-career researchers, fostering both doctoral candidates and young scientists in their initial postdoctoral steps. A distinctive feature of the institute is its highly international guest program, which promotes global collaboration and exchange.

The German National Library is the central archive library for all media works in German from Germany and abroad. The building complex also houses the German Music Archive and the German Museum for Books and Writing. Hence, the German National Library is a library and archive, a museum, and a forum of public exchange. The German National Library is a place of freedom of information and expression, which aims to inspire and at the same time encourage critical thinking with a comprehensive program of events and hands-on activities.

The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (IfL) is the only non-university research institute for geography in Germany. The institute’s origins date back to 1896, when the Leipzig Museum of Ethnology displayed the collection of geologist Alphons Stübel, which became an independent Museum of Regional Geography in 1907. The institution flourished, and by the 1930s, the museum had also become a research institute. From 1950 onward, the institute evolved into the central geographic research institute of the GDR. In 1976, it was integrated into the Academy of Sciences of the GDR as the Institute for Geography and Geoecology (IGG). After German reunification, it was re-established as the Institute for Regional Geography. Since 1996, it has been located at its current site in Leipzig-Paunsdorf.

Leipzig is a city of libraries and archives. The city archive has preserved deeds and documents of the City of Leipzig since the 12th century, and the university archive has been operating since the early 15th century. The university library and the city library were founded in the 16th century with important donations from the Leipzig monastic libraries. In 1912 the German National Library was founded in Leipzig. As a contribution to preserve and document the German cultural heritage it collects and documents all publications in German or about Germany.

The Leipziger WissensSpur passes along world-renowned libraries, exciting museums, Max Planck and Leibniz institutes, as well as four universities with a long tradition and excellent research.

The Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) pursues a clear and globally unique research profile, focusing on aerosols, which are tiny airborne particles, and clouds. Although they exist in minimal quantities, aerosols are vital components of the atmosphere, as they play a key role in regulating the Earth’s energy, water, and trace substance balance. Human activities can alter the properties of these highly dispersed systems, directly and indirectly affecting humans. This can happen both through the health impacts of inhaled particles and droplets, as well as through regional and global climate change.

The Leipzig City Archive is one of the largest communal archives in Germany. It offers comprehensive research services to its visitors, and invites them to “dive into the memory of the City”. Predominantly, it preserves information about the communal administration and material to track the evolution of the city. They are bundled into 500 collections that comprise records of various kinds. Presently, it is storing more than 4,000 certificates, 12,500 shelf meters of documents, books of accounting, newspapers, and pamphlets, 90,000 maps and plans, 350,000 photos and post cards, as well as collections on the history of Leipzig since the founding of the city in 1165 until its recent past.

The Leipzig Institute of Meteorology (LIM) has a tradition of over 100 years in meteorological and climatological research. Today, it is a recognized international center for meteorological research and teaching in the field of meteorology and climatology. The institute is an integral part of Leipzig University’s Children’s University and has its own blog for children (Mia’s Climate Diary). It is also an important part of the Long Night of Sciences and provides an overview of the currently measured weather from the measuring meadow in front of the institute and the institute tower on the website, and displayed on a screen in the building.

The medical history collections at the Karl Sudhoff Institute go back to the fundamental Leipzig research work of Karl Sudhoff (1853 – 1938). Since then, the collection has been continuously expanded through purchases, donations, and bequests. Most of the objects date from the last decades of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. A small part even dates back to the 16th century. Selected objects and special exhibitions can now be seen in new premises on the campus of the University Medical Center.

The Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig is a venue for political and historical education, and one of four museums of the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland Foundation. The permanent exhibition “Our History: Dictatorship and Democracy after 1945” takes visitors on a journey through history – from the years after the Second World War to life in former East Germany and today’s Federal Republic of Germany. Furthermore, the forum presents special exhibitions on topics of relevance to the German civil society, and it offers a thriving cultural program with film exhibitions, talks, round-table discussions, and conferences.

Leipzig University is organized into 14 faculties with more than 100 institutes. The research topics cover a broad spectrum of disciplines in life sciences, social sciences and humanities, and the natural sciences — with particular strength in the fields of global interactions, (bio-)materials, intelligent materials, biotechnology, mathematical sciences, and biodiversity.

Numerous university professors set up collections to support their teaching, and in the 19th century a number of Leipzig businessmen (and their wives) established famous private collections. From these roots emerged a considerable number of important scientific museums and collections in Leipzig.

The University of Music and Theatre »Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy« Leipzig (Hochschule für Musik und Theater, or HMT) emerged in 1992 as the successor to Germany’s oldest Academies of Music (1943) and Theater (1953, with roots in the Leipzig Theatre School founded in 1875-1876). Approximately 175 years ago, the concept of creating a musical educational institution in order to be able to provide the best possible education for young talent was a revolutionary idea. Today, it is important to continue to live up to this core mission in the midst of a rapidly changing, globalization-oriented world, without forgetting its traditional roots.

The collection is regarded as the largest and most important university collection of its kind in Germany. It features unique archaeological discoveries, primarily from Lower Nubian Aniba.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) is a leading research center in biodiversity sciences with a research focus on insights into the biological diversity of Earth. Researchers from all over the world cooperate to build the scientific foundation of a sustainable development in biological diversity. Moreover, the center reaches out to the civil society – for instance through its internationally oriented media relations, or in events like the Long Night of Sciences, the Leipzig Book Fair, or SPIN 2030.

The Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst/Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB) is one of the oldest and most prestigious Colleges of Fine Arts in Europe. The Academy provides art and design education at the highest level since more than 250 years. Its excellent reputation is due to countless graduates who continually make a significant impact on the areas of fine art and graphic design, and many renowned professors and dedicated tutors working at the HGB. The college maintains a superb international network of more than 100 collaboration partners from various areas of the art and graphic design industry, as well as from the world of science and economics. Quality and sustainability of teaching and practice is what they stand for.

Leipzig University is the second oldest university in Germany, and the Leipzig University Archives are responsible for the preservation of the University’s records since its foundation in 1409. The staff of the University Archives support students, academics, users, family researchers, doctoral candidates, interested Leipzig citizens, and alumni of Leipzig University with on-site research, extensive databases, information on university history and archiving, as well as research opportunities on the Internet. Guided tours and a blog with information on anniversaries, media contributions, and numerous (virtual) exhibitions also serve the transfer of knowledge.

Wonder – Knowledge – Growth | INSPIRATA e.V. is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting mathematics and natural science education. The aim is to inspire children and young people, starting from preschool age, to develop a passion for STEM subjects — not with complicated formulas and symbols, but in a hands-on, and engaging way! The core of INSPIRATA is a constantly evolving exhibition with exhibits through which visitors can experience the natural sciences by conducting their own experiments. True to the motto “Wonder – Knowledge – Growth,” it offers the opportunity to engage in experiments and uncover the principles behind them.

The Else-Frenkel-Brunswik Institute (EFBI) at the University of Leipzig, founded in the fall of 2020, is named after the psychoanalyst Else Frenkel-Brunswik, whose research tradition the institute follows. The EFBI focuses on three key areas of research: attitude research, research in conflict areas, and the documentation of anti-democratic networks. Notable studies include the Berlin Monitor and the Leipzig Authoritarianism Studies. The results of the institute’s research are presented and discussed in numerous public events.

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) was founded and developed as part of German reunification with the aim of establishing a “broadly based center for researching the ecology of industrialized urban regions.” Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading research centers in environmental science. More than 1,000 employees at the UFZ share the goal of identifying ways to reconcile a healthy environment with societal development through cutting-edge research. Their work has played a key role in transforming the Leipzig area into a rich ecosystem with significant recreational value.

Thanks to the work of generations of geoscientists at the Institute and donations from important collectors and patrons, the Geological-Palaeontological Collection at Leipzig University has grown into one of the largest and most important fossil and rock collections in the German university landscape. Today, the teaching and research repository contains around 85,000 items, spread across 1,780 collection drawers in 110 collection cabinets. The items in the collection bring the diverse geological past of Saxony and Central Germany to life. Since mid-May 2019, they can once again be admired in their historic rooms. Regular events and special exhibitions provide the general public with geoscientific and palaeontological knowledge about Saxony, Central Germany and the world.

The Antikenmuseum of Leipzig University was founded in 1840, making it one of the oldest and most significant collections of Greek and Roman antiquities at German universities. Alongside the sculpture collection of the State Art Collections Dresden, it is now Saxony’s only museum offering comprehensive information on Greek and Roman antiquity. The museum is also deeply integrated into university teaching and research through various collaborative efforts.

The Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK) was founded on July 15th, 1992 as a merger of the HTWK’s predecessor institutions in Leipzig — the Leipzig University of Technology, the Leipzig School of Librarians and Booksellers, the School of Librarianship, and the Institute of Museology. As one of Germany’s largest universities of applied sciences, the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences incorporates learning institutions that are especially typical for the city of Leipzig, such as librarians, book traders, and museologists, as well as for a wide range of engineering professions.

The Institute of Communication and Media Studies was founded in 1916 as „Institut für Zeitungskunde”. It is one of the oldest and one of the largest institutes for this research in the German realm. Presenently, its research focus are the change of media and society. It is cooperating with stakeholders and experts from politics and society to turn its expertise in practical actions.

In 1778, Samuel Heinicke opened the first German public school for the education of the deaf. Arguably, it was the first oral school for the deaf in the world.

The School Museum — Workshop for School History Leipzig is an institution of the City of Leipzig, in collaboration with Leipzig University and HTWK Leipzig. Its unique collections and library holdings offer a comprehensive documentation of Leipzig’s history of education and schooling. The museum features lessons from the Imperial Era and the GDR school system, along with exhibitions, workshops, and project initiatives that explore the intersection of education and resistance, offering fresh perspectives on these themes.

In general, maps serve to impart knowledge, act as orientation aids in the terrain, are contemporary witnesses, and often also works of art. They document current and historical conditions of topographical and thematic content of any kind. The Geoscientific Map Collection of the Institute of Geography is a teaching collection comprising over 33,000 inventoried maps, atlases, travel and specialist literature, and explanatory notes. The majority of the objects (approx. 26,900) are recorded electronically, can be accessed internally in a database, or are also available online. The premises of the collection can be visited by appointment or during the opening hours of the collection.

The Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ) explores how the limited resources of biomass can be used with maximum sustainability and efficiency in our energy systems. To this end the insitute identifies, develops, supports, evaluates, and demonstrates the most promising fields of application of bioenergy. Thus, its work extends our knowledge about the opportunities and limitations of the energetic and physical use of renewable raw materials, and it permanently secures the leading role of German industry in this sector.

In the 1770’s, wealthy merchants and publishers in Leipzig established tuition-free public schools, meaning public schools without fees. On April 16th, 1792, the first free public school was opened between Pleißenburg and Thomaskirche. The school initially housed three classes, educating 171 students aged 7 to 13. The lessons were taught by permanent teachers, as well as university students. In honor of the school, the street where it was located was renamed Ratsfreischulstraße on December 6th, 2000.

The collection of the first Zoological Museum was opened in 1837 by the first Chair of Zoology, Eduard Friedrich Poeppig. From 1907, the taxidermist Hermanus Hendrikus ter Meer from Leiden made a decisive contribution with the dermoplastic technique: this made it possible to prepare vertebrates in a proportionate and therefore lifelike manner. In the 1960s a large part of the collection was transferred to other museums, in particular the Leipzig Natural History Museum.

Founded in 1873, the Institute of Art History is one of the few art historical institutes globally that was established in the 19th century. The research and teaching of the professors, lecturers, and numerous teaching assistants from the art history field cover the entire spectrum of the discipline, from the Middle Ages to the present. The institute maintains contact with the public in Leipzig through numerous and close collaborations with the art museums in the city center.

In 1879, Leipzig University professor Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt (1832 – 1920) founded the world’s first Institute of Psychology. Many scholars from around the world attended Wundt’s lectures, participated in his seminars, and took part in experimental research in his laboratory. He wrote numerous highly influential books and provided assessments for 184 doctoral theses. At least 60 of his doctoral students came from abroad, including 18 from the United States. Today, ten university professors work at the Institute of Psychology, and three honorary professors serve as directors at the Leipzig Max Planck Institutes for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and for Evolutionary Anthropology. Their research spans all major fundamental and applied areas of contemporary psychology.

The Henriette Goldschmidt School was founded in 1911 by Henriette Goldschmidt at its current location in Leipzig. It was the first university in Germany to give women and girls the opportunity to acquire a scientifically based education, as well as the self-esteem and opportunity of financial independence entailed by a profound professional education — a privilege not widely available in that period. Presently, the school is a modern school centre for professional education of podologists, childcare and healthcare support workers, and a city college for health care and social professions.

The Prehistoric and Protohistoric Collection was established shortly after setting up the chair in Leipzig in 1934 by the first professor, Kurt Tackenberg. It comprises earlier collections from local citizens and antiquarian societies in Leipzig, which were subsequently expanded through targeted acquisitions. Despite significant losses during World War II, the collection grew to over 10,000 artifacts. These original finds and replicas offer a comprehensive overview of all periods of prehistoric and protohistoric Central Europe, from the Paleolithic hand axe (1 million years ago) to the medieval stove tile (14th century). They continue to play a central role in the curricular activities on pre- and protohistory to this day. Visits are possible only by prior arrangement and during special events.

Since 2005 the German Institute for Literature Leipzig (DLL) resides in a bourgeois villa in the Wächterstraße 34. This central institution of Leipzig University is devoted to the education of prospective German writers. A key objective of its study program in the fostering and reflexion of individual literarary projects and writing. The bachelor program addresses on a broad range of oeuvres in prosa, lyrics and scenic writing. The focus of the masters program is on developing a project for a novel. Regularly, the institute can be visited for readings and other public events.

The Leipzig Adult Education Center is the municipal continuing education center for all Leipzig residents. Founded in 1922, it offers over 4,000 course offerings every year with the help of around 750 freelance course instructors. Its tradition goes back to the Enlightenment and workers’ education movement. Today it stands for lifelong learning, a wide range of high-quality educational offerings, the combination of education, communication and experience, individual advice and competent service as well as socially acceptable remuneration. The Adult Education Center offers educational opportunities for all-round and professional development, interesting leisure activities and opportunities to get to know other people, exchange ideas, and share experiences.

Lectures on political theory at the University of Leipzig have been documented since 1410, but today’s Institute of Political Science is a result and benefit of the period of German reunification. During this period, the relationship between politics and philosophy, history, jurisprudence, and economics was repeatedly renegotiated. In the 19th century, for example, a strong connection to national economics was promoted. With the break from the academic systems of the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century, the founding of the institute in 1993 led to a reorientation of research and teaching under the thematic umbrella of “Democracy - Education - Europe”. The guiding principle here is the factual and problem-oriented analysis of political processes, structures and content in a non-discriminatory space.

05 July 2025. In July 1885 the second volume of Karl Marx’ “Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Oekonomie” was printed in Leipzig. In view of this 140th anniversary we took a walk along the WissensSpuren where we explore the impact and repercussions of Karl Marx’s works in Leipzig. We are very grateful that Jun.-Prof. Dr. Niklas Venema joined us on this tour.

20 June 2025. In this tour we explored the historical, cultural, and political dimensions of remembrance of scientists and the canonization of their work. The evening started with a talk at the Museum of Books and Writing. Subsequently, we walked through the Linnéstraße and the Liebigstraße into the city center. On the way we visit research institutes and collections, and discussed the achievements of some well-known and less-known researchers. Against this backdrop we exchange views about whom we remember and for what reasons.

20 June 2025. In my contribution to the Langen Nacht der Wissenschaften Leipzig I explore the biographies of outstanding personalities who covered new ground and broke through glass ceilings. Which scientists had secure employments? Which qualifications did they emphasis in their applications? What were they payed for? What about female researchers? What do I advise students nowadays — 5 years after the hype concerning the hashtag #IchBinHanna.

7 June 2025. On occasion of the Wave-Gothic Festival and the accompanying Steampunk Picnic in Leipzig we explored how the industrial revolution and the accompanying scientific discoveries have been covered in science fiction and fantastic art during the past centuries. In this endeavor we were supported by Prof. Elmar Schenkel.

12 May 2025. We officially formed an association for the Leipziger WissensSpuren, and subsequently, we celebrated this achievement in the beer garden. We are greatful for our wonderful friends for their support and encouragement, and express our gratitude to the members who have agreed to serve on the steering board.

10 May 2025. We took a children tour (hosted in German) beginning in the Veterinary Anatomy building and progressing through the Alte Messe, arriving finally at the INSPIRATA: with lots of time for new inspirations, collaborative riddle solving, and mathematics recreation.

4 April 2025. We took a walk through the city where we explored gems of the history of knowledge and education that are hidden on our daily routes through Leipzig.

8 March 2025. 50 years ago the United Nations celebrated the International Women’s year, where they declared women’s rights, and addressed peace, education and development. On this occasion the tour revisited the agenda of the feminist movement and its important activists in Leipzig. We took a look back at the 1970s, and at Leipzig’s female Students, Teachers, Researchers, and strong women who contributed to the constitution of the Women’s Day.

09 August 2025. Time and again deals were made by prominent political figures in the 20th century. The Big Four, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, Orlando, and Wilson, took the major decisions during the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920). The Big Three, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, were the leaders of the main powers of the allies in the second world war, and in the negotiations of the post-war order. Arguably the present presidents of Russia and the US see themselves in this tradition of powerful decision makers. However, throughout the 20th century there were also other forms of making deals. Wilson was awarded the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize for his role as founder of the League of Nations. Roosevelt implemented the New Deal to fight the aftermath of the world economic crisis, and to promote a stable democratic society. In our tour we explore the impacts of major political deals on the life in the Leipzig, and we discuss which type of deals are worth striving for.

8 February 2025. As concluding event of the studium universale, we took a walk through the city that addressed our blind spots: Which gems of our scientific knowledge and traditions are hidden on our daily routes through Leipzig?

In the winter term 2024/25 the studium universale of the University of Leipzig visited selected sites of the Leipzig Liberal Arts and Science Trail. We learned about the history of the places, and the contemporary research conducted in the places.

05 July 2025. In July 1885 the second volume of Karl Marx’ “Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Oekonomie” was printed in Leipzig. In view of this 140th anniversary we took a walk along the WissensSpuren where we explore the impact and repercussions of Karl Marx’s works in Leipzig. We are very grateful that Jun.-Prof. Dr. Niklas Venema joined us on this tour.

20 June 2025. In this tour we explored the historical, cultural, and political dimensions of remembrance of scientists and the canonization of their work. The evening started with a talk at the Museum of Books and Writing. Subsequently, we walked through the Linnéstraße and the Liebigstraße into the city center. On the way we visit research institutes and collections, and discussed the achievements of some well-known and less-known researchers. Against this backdrop we exchange views about whom we remember and for what reasons.

7 June 2025. On occasion of the Wave-Gothic Festival and the accompanying Steampunk Picnic in Leipzig we explored how the industrial revolution and the accompanying scientific discoveries have been covered in science fiction and fantastic art during the past centuries. In this endeavor we were supported by Prof. Elmar Schenkel.

4 April 2025. We took a walk through the city where we explored gems of the history of knowledge and education that are hidden on our daily routes through Leipzig.

09 August 2025. Time and again deals were made by prominent political figures in the 20th century. The Big Four, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, Orlando, and Wilson, took the major decisions during the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920). The Big Three, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, were the leaders of the main powers of the allies in the second world war, and in the negotiations of the post-war order. Arguably the present presidents of Russia and the US see themselves in this tradition of powerful decision makers. However, throughout the 20th century there were also other forms of making deals. Wilson was awarded the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize for his role as founder of the League of Nations. Roosevelt implemented the New Deal to fight the aftermath of the world economic crisis, and to promote a stable democratic society. In our tour we explore the impacts of major political deals on the life in the Leipzig, and we discuss which type of deals are worth striving for.

The Institute of Communication and Media Studies was founded in 1916 as „Institut für Zeitungskunde”. It is one of the oldest and one of the largest institutes for this research in the German realm. Presenently, its research focus are the change of media and society. It is cooperating with stakeholders and experts from politics and society to turn its expertise in practical actions.

05 July 2025. In July 1885 the second volume of Karl Marx’ “Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Oekonomie” was printed in Leipzig. In view of this 140th anniversary we took a walk along the WissensSpuren where we explore the impact and repercussions of Karl Marx’s works in Leipzig. We are very grateful that Jun.-Prof. Dr. Niklas Venema joined us on this tour.

20 June 2025. In this tour we explored the historical, cultural, and political dimensions of remembrance of scientists and the canonization of their work. The evening started with a talk at the Museum of Books and Writing. Subsequently, we walked through the Linnéstraße and the Liebigstraße into the city center. On the way we visit research institutes and collections, and discussed the achievements of some well-known and less-known researchers. Against this backdrop we exchange views about whom we remember and for what reasons.

20 June 2025. In my contribution to the Langen Nacht der Wissenschaften Leipzig I explore the biographies of outstanding personalities who covered new ground and broke through glass ceilings. Which scientists had secure employments? Which qualifications did they emphasis in their applications? What were they payed for? What about female researchers? What do I advise students nowadays — 5 years after the hype concerning the hashtag #IchBinHanna.

12 May 2025. We officially formed an association for the Leipziger WissensSpuren, and subsequently, we celebrated this achievement in the beer garden. We are greatful for our wonderful friends for their support and encouragement, and express our gratitude to the members who have agreed to serve on the steering board.

10 May 2025. We took a children tour (hosted in German) beginning in the Veterinary Anatomy building and progressing through the Alte Messe, arriving finally at the INSPIRATA: with lots of time for new inspirations, collaborative riddle solving, and mathematics recreation.

8 March 2025. 50 years ago the United Nations celebrated the International Women’s year, where they declared women’s rights, and addressed peace, education and development. On this occasion the tour revisited the agenda of the feminist movement and its important activists in Leipzig. We took a look back at the 1970s, and at Leipzig’s female Students, Teachers, Researchers, and strong women who contributed to the constitution of the Women’s Day.

8 February 2025. As concluding event of the studium universale, we took a walk through the city that addressed our blind spots: Which gems of our scientific knowledge and traditions are hidden on our daily routes through Leipzig?

In the winter term 2024/25 the studium universale of the University of Leipzig visited selected sites of the Leipzig Liberal Arts and Science Trail. We learned about the history of the places, and the contemporary research conducted in the places.

23 October 2024. In the winter term 2024/25 the WissensSpur is the topic of the lecture series studium universale of Leipzig University. In the first meeting, on October 23rd, we introduced the idea of the WissensSpuren and their new homepage to the public audience of the city of Leipzig.

2 August 2024. We had our first run of the WissensSpuren mit Kindern.

05 July 2025. In July 1885 the second volume of Karl Marx’ “Das Kapital. Kritik der politischen Oekonomie” was printed in Leipzig. In view of this 140th anniversary we took a walk along the WissensSpuren where we explore the impact and repercussions of Karl Marx’s works in Leipzig. We are very grateful that Jun.-Prof. Dr. Niklas Venema joined us on this tour.

20 June 2025. In this tour we explored the historical, cultural, and political dimensions of remembrance of scientists and the canonization of their work. The evening started with a talk at the Museum of Books and Writing. Subsequently, we walked through the Linnéstraße and the Liebigstraße into the city center. On the way we visit research institutes and collections, and discussed the achievements of some well-known and less-known researchers. Against this backdrop we exchange views about whom we remember and for what reasons.

7 June 2025. On occasion of the Wave-Gothic Festival and the accompanying Steampunk Picnic in Leipzig we explored how the industrial revolution and the accompanying scientific discoveries have been covered in science fiction and fantastic art during the past centuries. In this endeavor we were supported by Prof. Elmar Schenkel.

10 May 2025. We took a children tour (hosted in German) beginning in the Veterinary Anatomy building and progressing through the Alte Messe, arriving finally at the INSPIRATA: with lots of time for new inspirations, collaborative riddle solving, and mathematics recreation.

4 April 2025. We took a walk through the city where we explored gems of the history of knowledge and education that are hidden on our daily routes through Leipzig.

09 August 2025. Time and again deals were made by prominent political figures in the 20th century. The Big Four, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, Orlando, and Wilson, took the major decisions during the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920). The Big Three, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, were the leaders of the main powers of the allies in the second world war, and in the negotiations of the post-war order. Arguably the present presidents of Russia and the US see themselves in this tradition of powerful decision makers. However, throughout the 20th century there were also other forms of making deals. Wilson was awarded the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize for his role as founder of the League of Nations. Roosevelt implemented the New Deal to fight the aftermath of the world economic crisis, and to promote a stable democratic society. In our tour we explore the impacts of major political deals on the life in the Leipzig, and we discuss which type of deals are worth striving for.

8 February 2025. As concluding event of the studium universale, we took a walk through the city that addressed our blind spots: Which gems of our scientific knowledge and traditions are hidden on our daily routes through Leipzig?

23 October 2024. In the winter term 2024/25 the WissensSpur is the topic of the lecture series studium universale of Leipzig University. In the first meeting, on October 23rd, we introduced the idea of the WissensSpuren and their new homepage to the public audience of the city of Leipzig.

10 August 2024. We took a first run of the entire Wissensspur with team members and friends.

2 August 2024. We had our first run of the WissensSpuren mit Kindern.

The origins of the veterinary clinics date back to 1780. In 1923, it was incorporated into the University of Leipzig where a separate campus was built for the new Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Today, it is one of five veterinary training centers in Germany. Research focuses on emerging animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe, and their potential impact on agriculture, ecosystems and human health. The faculty is involved in knowledge transfer at the children’s project day “VetDay,” participation in the Children’s University and the studium universale, as well as the Long Night of Sciences.

Physical research in Leipzig dates back to 1557 when a professorship for physics was established. In the 18th century, even Saxon princes traveled from Dresden to witness impressive demonstrations of electrical charges and discharges. In 1835, the University of Leipzig (UL) established “one of the first, if not the first, state physics institutes in Germany” (according to Otto Wiener). In 1905, the largest physics institute building in Germany at the time was inaugurated on Linnéstraße. In the 1920s, the institute was led by Peter Debye (Nobel Prize 1936), Werner Heisenberg (Nobel Prize 1933), and Friedrich Hund. The fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and its applications in solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and chemistry were largely developed in Leipzig. After World War II, Gustav Hertz (Nobel Prize 1925) rebuilt the building and the research operations.

In 1710, the University of Leipzig appointed its first “Professor of Chemistry.” Approximately a century later, the university inaugurated its first chemical laboratory. By the next century, Leipzig had firmly established itself as a distinguished center of research and education, recognized globally for its academic excellence. Wilhelm Ostwald received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909 for his research at Leipzig, and four alumni from the university — August Arrhenius (1903), Walther Hermann Nernst (1920), as well as Friedrich Bergius and Carl Bosch (1931) — were also awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

The Leipzig Institute of Meteorology (LIM) has a tradition of over 100 years in meteorological and climatological research. Today, it is a recognized international center for meteorological research and teaching in the field of meteorology and climatology. The institute is an integral part of Leipzig University’s Children’s University and has its own blog for children (Mia’s Climate Diary). It is also an important part of the Long Night of Sciences and provides an overview of the currently measured weather from the measuring meadow in front of the institute and the institute tower on the website, and displayed on a screen in the building.

Leipzig University is organized into 14 faculties with more than 100 institutes. The research topics cover a broad spectrum of disciplines in life sciences, social sciences and humanities, and the natural sciences — with particular strength in the fields of global interactions, (bio-)materials, intelligent materials, biotechnology, mathematical sciences, and biodiversity.

The Else-Frenkel-Brunswik Institute (EFBI) at the University of Leipzig, founded in the fall of 2020, is named after the psychoanalyst Else Frenkel-Brunswik, whose research tradition the institute follows. The EFBI focuses on three key areas of research: attitude research, research in conflict areas, and the documentation of anti-democratic networks. Notable studies include the Berlin Monitor and the Leipzig Authoritarianism Studies. The results of the institute’s research are presented and discussed in numerous public events.

The Institute of Communication and Media Studies was founded in 1916 as „Institut für Zeitungskunde”. It is one of the oldest and one of the largest institutes for this research in the German realm. Presenently, its research focus are the change of media and society. It is cooperating with stakeholders and experts from politics and society to turn its expertise in practical actions.

Founded in 1873, the Institute of Art History is one of the few art historical institutes globally that was established in the 19th century. The research and teaching of the professors, lecturers, and numerous teaching assistants from the art history field cover the entire spectrum of the discipline, from the Middle Ages to the present. The institute maintains contact with the public in Leipzig through numerous and close collaborations with the art museums in the city center.

In 1879, Leipzig University professor Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt (1832 – 1920) founded the world’s first Institute of Psychology. Many scholars from around the world attended Wundt’s lectures, participated in his seminars, and took part in experimental research in his laboratory. He wrote numerous highly influential books and provided assessments for 184 doctoral theses. At least 60 of his doctoral students came from abroad, including 18 from the United States. Today, ten university professors work at the Institute of Psychology, and three honorary professors serve as directors at the Leipzig Max Planck Institutes for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and for Evolutionary Anthropology. Their research spans all major fundamental and applied areas of contemporary psychology.

Lectures on political theory at the University of Leipzig have been documented since 1410, but today’s Institute of Political Science is a result and benefit of the period of German reunification. During this period, the relationship between politics and philosophy, history, jurisprudence, and economics was repeatedly renegotiated. In the 19th century, for example, a strong connection to national economics was promoted. With the break from the academic systems of the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century, the founding of the institute in 1993 led to a reorientation of research and teaching under the thematic umbrella of “Democracy - Education - Europe”. The guiding principle here is the factual and problem-oriented analysis of political processes, structures and content in a non-discriminatory space.

The origins of the veterinary clinics date back to 1780. In 1923, it was incorporated into the University of Leipzig where a separate campus was built for the new Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Today, it is one of five veterinary training centers in Germany. Research focuses on emerging animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe, and their potential impact on agriculture, ecosystems and human health. The faculty is involved in knowledge transfer at the children’s project day “VetDay,” participation in the Children’s University and the studium universale, as well as the Long Night of Sciences.

The Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow (DI) conducts multidisciplinary and historically comprehensive research on Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe from the Middle Ages to the present. Its research adopts a pan-European perspective and includes the regions of Jewish emigration, particularly Israel, as well as North and Latin America. Through events, university teaching, and a wide range of publications, the research findings are communicated to both academic audiences and the interested public. A stated goal is to conduct high-level humanities research and to enhance societal differentiation and critical thinking through the transfer of knowledge by conveying scientific insights.

The Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Leipzig was founded on 1 July 1846, under the name of Royal Saxon Society of Sciences. It follows the tradition of scientific academies set out by Leibnitz around 1700: bringing together scientists from various disciplines for regular exchanges of ideas, discussing methods and findings of specialized research in an interdisciplinary dialogue, conducting long-term research projects, and combining “theoriam cum praxi”—the union of theory and practice. To this end the Academy regularly convenes nationally and internationally renowned scholars for cross-disciplinary discussions.

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVA) was founded in 1997. Researchers from over 30 countries and different disciplines work in seven departments. Their common goal is to explore the history of humanity from an interdisciplinary perspective. This involves comparative analyses of the genes, cultures, cognitive abilities, and social systems of past and present human populations, as well as those of closely related primate groups. Of particular note is the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to the Institute’s founding director, Svante Pääbo, for his discoveries related to the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.

The Max Planck Society (MPG) was founded in 1948 to keep up the tradition of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gesellschaft. Many outstanding reserachers have worked and continue to work at this most renowned German research organization, as exemplified by the large number of nobel laureates among its ranks. After the reunification in 1989 the society founded new institutes in several locations in Eastern Germany. Three of them are located in Leipzig.

Physical research in Leipzig dates back to 1557 when a professorship for physics was established. In the 18th century, even Saxon princes traveled from Dresden to witness impressive demonstrations of electrical charges and discharges. In 1835, the University of Leipzig (UL) established “one of the first, if not the first, state physics institutes in Germany” (according to Otto Wiener). In 1905, the largest physics institute building in Germany at the time was inaugurated on Linnéstraße. In the 1920s, the institute was led by Peter Debye (Nobel Prize 1936), Werner Heisenberg (Nobel Prize 1933), and Friedrich Hund. The fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and its applications in solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and chemistry were largely developed in Leipzig. After World War II, Gustav Hertz (Nobel Prize 1925) rebuilt the building and the research operations.

The Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) focuses its research on the region between the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic. From Late Antiquity to the present, it examines the characteristics, transformations, and interrelationships of this region within an increasingly globalized world. At the GWZO, experts from various humanities disciplines and scholarly traditions collaborate. The institute shares its research findings with specialists and the public through academic and non-academic publications, exhibitions, events, and digital knowledge resources. In this way, past and present developments in Eastern Europe are made more comprehensible.

The Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) is an internationally renowned research institute into the fundamentals of human cognition. The main focus of the research is on fundamental mechanisms of human thinking and the neural foundations of higher brain functions such as language, memory, orientation, music, and communication. Furthermore, the plastic change capacity of the brain and its influence on various cognitive abilities are examined, as well as the neuronal and hormonal basis of diseases of civilization such as high blood pressure and obesity.

Leipzig University established the first research institutes for many scientific disciplines. Thus, in 1846 the city became the seat of the Saxonian Academy of Sciences, and presently three Max Planck Institutes, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, and a large number of Leibniz-Institutes contribute to its role as an established center of international research.

In 1710, the University of Leipzig appointed its first “Professor of Chemistry.” Approximately a century later, the university inaugurated its first chemical laboratory. By the next century, Leipzig had firmly established itself as a distinguished center of research and education, recognized globally for its academic excellence. Wilhelm Ostwald received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909 for his research at Leipzig, and four alumni from the university — August Arrhenius (1903), Walther Hermann Nernst (1920), as well as Friedrich Bergius and Carl Bosch (1931) — were also awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Leipzig’s research diversity is reflected in its four Leibniz Institutes. The Leibniz Association, named after the philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716), a native of Leipzig, is one of Germany’s four non-university research organizations. It connects 96 independent institutes focusing on fields such as natural sciences, engineering, economics, and the humanities. Addressing socially, economically, and ecologically relevant topics, the Leibniz Institutes are jointly funded by federal and state governments due to their national significance.

The Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences (MPI MiS) is an internationally oriented research institute for mathematics, with a research focus on the interaction between mathematics and other sciences. The institute’s name is understood as a philosophical and cultural mission: to view mathematics not merely as a modern and powerful tool for scientific applications, but also as a means to address fundamental questions in the sciences through its unique approach, thereby enriching mathematics itself. In addition to its academic mission, the institute is particularly committed to supporting early-career researchers, fostering both doctoral candidates and young scientists in their initial postdoctoral steps. A distinctive feature of the institute is its highly international guest program, which promotes global collaboration and exchange.

The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (IfL) is the only non-university research institute for geography in Germany. The institute’s origins date back to 1896, when the Leipzig Museum of Ethnology displayed the collection of geologist Alphons Stübel, which became an independent Museum of Regional Geography in 1907. The institution flourished, and by the 1930s, the museum had also become a research institute. From 1950 onward, the institute evolved into the central geographic research institute of the GDR. In 1976, it was integrated into the Academy of Sciences of the GDR as the Institute for Geography and Geoecology (IGG). After German reunification, it was re-established as the Institute for Regional Geography. Since 1996, it has been located at its current site in Leipzig-Paunsdorf.

The Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) pursues a clear and globally unique research profile, focusing on aerosols, which are tiny airborne particles, and clouds. Although they exist in minimal quantities, aerosols are vital components of the atmosphere, as they play a key role in regulating the Earth’s energy, water, and trace substance balance. Human activities can alter the properties of these highly dispersed systems, directly and indirectly affecting humans. This can happen both through the health impacts of inhaled particles and droplets, as well as through regional and global climate change.

The Leipzig Institute of Meteorology (LIM) has a tradition of over 100 years in meteorological and climatological research. Today, it is a recognized international center for meteorological research and teaching in the field of meteorology and climatology. The institute is an integral part of Leipzig University’s Children’s University and has its own blog for children (Mia’s Climate Diary). It is also an important part of the Long Night of Sciences and provides an overview of the currently measured weather from the measuring meadow in front of the institute and the institute tower on the website, and displayed on a screen in the building.

Leipzig University is organized into 14 faculties with more than 100 institutes. The research topics cover a broad spectrum of disciplines in life sciences, social sciences and humanities, and the natural sciences — with particular strength in the fields of global interactions, (bio-)materials, intelligent materials, biotechnology, mathematical sciences, and biodiversity.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) is a leading research center in biodiversity sciences with a research focus on insights into the biological diversity of Earth. Researchers from all over the world cooperate to build the scientific foundation of a sustainable development in biological diversity. Moreover, the center reaches out to the civil society – for instance through its internationally oriented media relations, or in events like the Long Night of Sciences, the Leipzig Book Fair, or SPIN 2030.

The Else-Frenkel-Brunswik Institute (EFBI) at the University of Leipzig, founded in the fall of 2020, is named after the psychoanalyst Else Frenkel-Brunswik, whose research tradition the institute follows. The EFBI focuses on three key areas of research: attitude research, research in conflict areas, and the documentation of anti-democratic networks. Notable studies include the Berlin Monitor and the Leipzig Authoritarianism Studies. The results of the institute’s research are presented and discussed in numerous public events.

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) was founded and developed as part of German reunification with the aim of establishing a “broadly based center for researching the ecology of industrialized urban regions.” Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading research centers in environmental science. More than 1,000 employees at the UFZ share the goal of identifying ways to reconcile a healthy environment with societal development through cutting-edge research. Their work has played a key role in transforming the Leipzig area into a rich ecosystem with significant recreational value.

The Institute of Communication and Media Studies was founded in 1916 as „Institut für Zeitungskunde”. It is one of the oldest and one of the largest institutes for this research in the German realm. Presenently, its research focus are the change of media and society. It is cooperating with stakeholders and experts from politics and society to turn its expertise in practical actions.

The Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ) explores how the limited resources of biomass can be used with maximum sustainability and efficiency in our energy systems. To this end the insitute identifies, develops, supports, evaluates, and demonstrates the most promising fields of application of bioenergy. Thus, its work extends our knowledge about the opportunities and limitations of the energetic and physical use of renewable raw materials, and it permanently secures the leading role of German industry in this sector.

Founded in 1873, the Institute of Art History is one of the few art historical institutes globally that was established in the 19th century. The research and teaching of the professors, lecturers, and numerous teaching assistants from the art history field cover the entire spectrum of the discipline, from the Middle Ages to the present. The institute maintains contact with the public in Leipzig through numerous and close collaborations with the art museums in the city center.

In 1879, Leipzig University professor Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt (1832 – 1920) founded the world’s first Institute of Psychology. Many scholars from around the world attended Wundt’s lectures, participated in his seminars, and took part in experimental research in his laboratory. He wrote numerous highly influential books and provided assessments for 184 doctoral theses. At least 60 of his doctoral students came from abroad, including 18 from the United States. Today, ten university professors work at the Institute of Psychology, and three honorary professors serve as directors at the Leipzig Max Planck Institutes for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and for Evolutionary Anthropology. Their research spans all major fundamental and applied areas of contemporary psychology.

Lectures on political theory at the University of Leipzig have been documented since 1410, but today’s Institute of Political Science is a result and benefit of the period of German reunification. During this period, the relationship between politics and philosophy, history, jurisprudence, and economics was repeatedly renegotiated. In the 19th century, for example, a strong connection to national economics was promoted. With the break from the academic systems of the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century, the founding of the institute in 1993 led to a reorientation of research and teaching under the thematic umbrella of “Democracy - Education - Europe”. The guiding principle here is the factual and problem-oriented analysis of political processes, structures and content in a non-discriminatory space.

20 June 2025. In this tour we explored the historical, cultural, and political dimensions of remembrance of scientists and the canonization of their work. The evening started with a talk at the Museum of Books and Writing. Subsequently, we walked through the Linnéstraße and the Liebigstraße into the city center. On the way we visit research institutes and collections, and discussed the achievements of some well-known and less-known researchers. Against this backdrop we exchange views about whom we remember and for what reasons.

20 June 2025. In my contribution to the Langen Nacht der Wissenschaften Leipzig I explore the biographies of outstanding personalities who covered new ground and broke through glass ceilings. Which scientists had secure employments? Which qualifications did they emphasis in their applications? What were they payed for? What about female researchers? What do I advise students nowadays — 5 years after the hype concerning the hashtag #IchBinHanna.

In the winter term 2024/25 the studium universale of the University of Leipzig visited selected sites of the Leipzig Liberal Arts and Science Trail. We learned about the history of the places, and the contemporary research conducted in the places.

23 October 2024. In the winter term 2024/25 the WissensSpur is the topic of the lecture series studium universale of Leipzig University. In the first meeting, on October 23rd, we introduced the idea of the WissensSpuren and their new homepage to the public audience of the city of Leipzig.

7 June 2025. On occasion of the Wave-Gothic Festival and the accompanying Steampunk Picnic in Leipzig we explored how the industrial revolution and the accompanying scientific discoveries have been covered in science fiction and fantastic art during the past centuries. In this endeavor we were supported by Prof. Elmar Schenkel.

4 April 2025. We took a walk through the city where we explored gems of the history of knowledge and education that are hidden on our daily routes through Leipzig.

09 August 2025. Time and again deals were made by prominent political figures in the 20th century. The Big Four, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, Orlando, and Wilson, took the major decisions during the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920). The Big Three, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin, were the leaders of the main powers of the allies in the second world war, and in the negotiations of the post-war order. Arguably the present presidents of Russia and the US see themselves in this tradition of powerful decision makers. However, throughout the 20th century there were also other forms of making deals. Wilson was awarded the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize for his role as founder of the League of Nations. Roosevelt implemented the New Deal to fight the aftermath of the world economic crisis, and to promote a stable democratic society. In our tour we explore the impacts of major political deals on the life in the Leipzig, and we discuss which type of deals are worth striving for.

10 August 2024. We took a first run of the entire Wissensspur with team members and friends.

12 May 2025. We officially formed an association for the Leipziger WissensSpuren, and subsequently, we celebrated this achievement in the beer garden. We are greatful for our wonderful friends for their support and encouragement, and express our gratitude to the members who have agreed to serve on the steering board.

12 May 2025. We officially formed an association for the Leipziger WissensSpuren, and subsequently, we celebrated this achievement in the beer garden. We are greatful for our wonderful friends for their support and encouragement, and express our gratitude to the members who have agreed to serve on the steering board.

10 May 2025. We took a children tour (hosted in German) beginning in the Veterinary Anatomy building and progressing through the Alte Messe, arriving finally at the INSPIRATA: with lots of time for new inspirations, collaborative riddle solving, and mathematics recreation.

2 August 2024. We had our first run of the WissensSpuren mit Kindern.

In the 1770’s, wealthy merchants and publishers in Leipzig established tuition-free public schools, meaning public schools without fees. On April 16th, 1792, the first free public school was opened between Pleißenburg and Thomaskirche. The school initially housed three classes, educating 171 students aged 7 to 13. The lessons were taught by permanent teachers, as well as university students. In honor of the school, the street where it was located was renamed Ratsfreischulstraße on December 6th, 2000.

In the 1770’s, wealthy merchants and publishers in Leipzig established tuition-free public schools, meaning public schools without fees. On April 16th, 1792, the first free public school was opened between Pleißenburg and Thomaskirche. The school initially housed three classes, educating 171 students aged 7 to 13. The lessons were taught by permanent teachers, as well as university students. In honor of the school, the street where it was located was renamed Ratsfreischulstraße on December 6th, 2000.

In 1778, Samuel Heinicke opened the first German public school for the education of the deaf. Arguably, it was the first oral school for the deaf in the world.

The Alma Mater Lipsiensis was founded in 1409 by an initiative of scholars who emigrated from the University of Prague, and in 1519 the Leipzig Disputations at the university were the beginning of the schisma between Rome and the Lutherans. During the reformation the university received donations that turned it into one of the riches universities in the Holy Roman Empire. Numerous scholars of world fame have taught and studied here, and time and again important impulses for the development of science emerged in Leipzig. Moreover, due to its role as leading university of the kingdom (and later state) of Saxony it contributed markedly to the development of the wider region. A corner stone of these endeavors has always been its Motto Surpassing Borders by Tradition.

Leipzig University was inaugurated on 2 December 1409, and in 1512 the Nikolai School accepted its first students. Since this time academic institutions play an important role in the Leipzig’s civil society. Currently, Leipzig has five universities that look back to a history of more than 100 years.

As Leipzig’s first municipal school, the Old Nikolai School at Nikolai churchyard is one of the city’s most valuable cultural monuments. It first opened its doors in 1512. Famous alumni of the school include Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Johann Gottfried Seume, Richard Wagner, and Karl Liebknecht. Today it houses a permanent exhibition on Richard Wagner, and the Leipzig University Museum of Antiquities.

The University of Music and Theatre »Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy« Leipzig (Hochschule für Musik und Theater, or HMT) emerged in 1992 as the successor to Germany’s oldest Academies of Music (1943) and Theater (1953, with roots in the Leipzig Theatre School founded in 1875-1876). Approximately 175 years ago, the concept of creating a musical educational institution in order to be able to provide the best possible education for young talent was a revolutionary idea. Today, it is important to continue to live up to this core mission in the midst of a rapidly changing, globalization-oriented world, without forgetting its traditional roots.

The Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst/Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB) is one of the oldest and most prestigious Colleges of Fine Arts in Europe. The Academy provides art and design education at the highest level since more than 250 years. Its excellent reputation is due to countless graduates who continually make a significant impact on the areas of fine art and graphic design, and many renowned professors and dedicated tutors working at the HGB. The college maintains a superb international network of more than 100 collaboration partners from various areas of the art and graphic design industry, as well as from the world of science and economics. Quality and sustainability of teaching and practice is what they stand for.

The Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK) was founded on July 15th, 1992 as a merger of the HTWK’s predecessor institutions in Leipzig — the Leipzig University of Technology, the Leipzig School of Librarians and Booksellers, the School of Librarianship, and the Institute of Museology. As one of Germany’s largest universities of applied sciences, the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences incorporates learning institutions that are especially typical for the city of Leipzig, such as librarians, book traders, and museologists, as well as for a wide range of engineering professions.

In 1778, Samuel Heinicke opened the first German public school for the education of the deaf. Arguably, it was the first oral school for the deaf in the world.

In the 1770’s, wealthy merchants and publishers in Leipzig established tuition-free public schools, meaning public schools without fees. On April 16th, 1792, the first free public school was opened between Pleißenburg and Thomaskirche. The school initially housed three classes, educating 171 students aged 7 to 13. The lessons were taught by permanent teachers, as well as university students. In honor of the school, the street where it was located was renamed Ratsfreischulstraße on December 6th, 2000.

The Henriette Goldschmidt School was founded in 1911 by Henriette Goldschmidt at its current location in Leipzig. It was the first university in Germany to give women and girls the opportunity to acquire a scientifically based education, as well as the self-esteem and opportunity of financial independence entailed by a profound professional education — a privilege not widely available in that period. Presently, the school is a modern school centre for professional education of podologists, childcare and healthcare support workers, and a city college for health care and social professions.

Since 2005 the German Institute for Literature Leipzig (DLL) resides in a bourgeois villa in the Wächterstraße 34. This central institution of Leipzig University is devoted to the education of prospective German writers. A key objective of its study program in the fostering and reflexion of individual literarary projects and writing. The bachelor program addresses on a broad range of oeuvres in prosa, lyrics and scenic writing. The focus of the masters program is on developing a project for a novel. Regularly, the institute can be visited for readings and other public events.

The Leipzig Adult Education Center is the municipal continuing education center for all Leipzig residents. Founded in 1922, it offers over 4,000 course offerings every year with the help of around 750 freelance course instructors. Its tradition goes back to the Enlightenment and workers’ education movement. Today it stands for lifelong learning, a wide range of high-quality educational offerings, the combination of education, communication and experience, individual advice and competent service as well as socially acceptable remuneration. The Adult Education Center offers educational opportunities for all-round and professional development, interesting leisure activities and opportunities to get to know other people, exchange ideas, and share experiences.

The Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow (DI) conducts multidisciplinary and historically comprehensive research on Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe from the Middle Ages to the present. Its research adopts a pan-European perspective and includes the regions of Jewish emigration, particularly Israel, as well as North and Latin America. Through events, university teaching, and a wide range of publications, the research findings are communicated to both academic audiences and the interested public. A stated goal is to conduct high-level humanities research and to enhance societal differentiation and critical thinking through the transfer of knowledge by conveying scientific insights.

Physical research in Leipzig dates back to 1557 when a professorship for physics was established. In the 18th century, even Saxon princes traveled from Dresden to witness impressive demonstrations of electrical charges and discharges. In 1835, the University of Leipzig (UL) established “one of the first, if not the first, state physics institutes in Germany” (according to Otto Wiener). In 1905, the largest physics institute building in Germany at the time was inaugurated on Linnéstraße. In the 1920s, the institute was led by Peter Debye (Nobel Prize 1936), Werner Heisenberg (Nobel Prize 1933), and Friedrich Hund. The fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and its applications in solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and chemistry were largely developed in Leipzig. After World War II, Gustav Hertz (Nobel Prize 1925) rebuilt the building and the research operations.

The Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) is an internationally renowned research institute into the fundamentals of human cognition. The main focus of the research is on fundamental mechanisms of human thinking and the neural foundations of higher brain functions such as language, memory, orientation, music, and communication. Furthermore, the plastic change capacity of the brain and its influence on various cognitive abilities are examined, as well as the neuronal and hormonal basis of diseases of civilization such as high blood pressure and obesity.

With over 2,600 public botanical collections worldwide, housing more than 300 million plant specimens, the Leipzig Herbarium stands as one of the most historically significant. It was founded in 1806 by Chr. F. Schwägrichen (1775–1853) and is the oldest university herbarium in Germany. The collection is primarily a research collection, with subcollections specifically designed for student education. As a service to the public, the herbarium offers species identification, provides cultivation recommendations for plants, and suggests measures to combat phytoparasitic fungi.

In 1710, the University of Leipzig appointed its first “Professor of Chemistry.” Approximately a century later, the university inaugurated its first chemical laboratory. By the next century, Leipzig had firmly established itself as a distinguished center of research and education, recognized globally for its academic excellence. Wilhelm Ostwald received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909 for his research at Leipzig, and four alumni from the university — August Arrhenius (1903), Walther Hermann Nernst (1920), as well as Friedrich Bergius and Carl Bosch (1931) — were also awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

The Botanical Garden at Leipzig University is the oldest of its kind in Germany and is considered one of the oldest gardens in Europe, along with Pisa, Padua and Florence. In its more than 450-year history, it has been relocated four times within the city limits of Leipzig. Since 1877 it resides at its current location in Linnéstraße. Today, the Botanical Garden is a garden of diversity. It is not only used for teaching and research, but also as a space for fostering interaction and a meeting place for knowledge transfer between the university and society.

The Leipzig Institute of Meteorology (LIM) has a tradition of over 100 years in meteorological and climatological research. Today, it is a recognized international center for meteorological research and teaching in the field of meteorology and climatology. The institute is an integral part of Leipzig University’s Children’s University and has its own blog for children (Mia’s Climate Diary). It is also an important part of the Long Night of Sciences and provides an overview of the currently measured weather from the measuring meadow in front of the institute and the institute tower on the website, and displayed on a screen in the building.

The medical history collections at the Karl Sudhoff Institute go back to the fundamental Leipzig research work of Karl Sudhoff (1853 – 1938). Since then, the collection has been continuously expanded through purchases, donations, and bequests. Most of the objects date from the last decades of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. A small part even dates back to the 16th century. Selected objects and special exhibitions can now be seen in new premises on the campus of the University Medical Center.

Thanks to the work of generations of geoscientists at the Institute and donations from important collectors and patrons, the Geological-Palaeontological Collection at Leipzig University has grown into one of the largest and most important fossil and rock collections in the German university landscape. Today, the teaching and research repository contains around 85,000 items, spread across 1,780 collection drawers in 110 collection cabinets. The items in the collection bring the diverse geological past of Saxony and Central Germany to life. Since mid-May 2019, they can once again be admired in their historic rooms. Regular events and special exhibitions provide the general public with geoscientific and palaeontological knowledge about Saxony, Central Germany and the world.

In 1778, Samuel Heinicke opened the first German public school for the education of the deaf. Arguably, it was the first oral school for the deaf in the world.

In general, maps serve to impart knowledge, act as orientation aids in the terrain, are contemporary witnesses, and often also works of art. They document current and historical conditions of topographical and thematic content of any kind. The Geoscientific Map Collection of the Institute of Geography is a teaching collection comprising over 33,000 inventoried maps, atlases, travel and specialist literature, and explanatory notes. The majority of the objects (approx. 26,900) are recorded electronically, can be accessed internally in a database, or are also available online. The premises of the collection can be visited by appointment or during the opening hours of the collection.

The collection of the first Zoological Museum was opened in 1837 by the first Chair of Zoology, Eduard Friedrich Poeppig. From 1907, the taxidermist Hermanus Hendrikus ter Meer from Leiden made a decisive contribution with the dermoplastic technique: this made it possible to prepare vertebrates in a proportionate and therefore lifelike manner. In the 1960s a large part of the collection was transferred to other museums, in particular the Leipzig Natural History Museum.

The Henriette Goldschmidt School was founded in 1911 by Henriette Goldschmidt at its current location in Leipzig. It was the first university in Germany to give women and girls the opportunity to acquire a scientifically based education, as well as the self-esteem and opportunity of financial independence entailed by a profound professional education — a privilege not widely available in that period. Presently, the school is a modern school centre for professional education of podologists, childcare and healthcare support workers, and a city college for health care and social professions.

8 March 2025. 50 years ago the United Nations celebrated the International Women’s year, where they declared women’s rights, and addressed peace, education and development. On this occasion the tour revisited the agenda of the feminist movement and its important activists in Leipzig. We took a look back at the 1970s, and at Leipzig’s female Students, Teachers, Researchers, and strong women who contributed to the constitution of the Women’s Day.

8 February 2025. As concluding event of the studium universale, we took a walk through the city that addressed our blind spots: Which gems of our scientific knowledge and traditions are hidden on our daily routes through Leipzig?

10 August 2024. We took a first run of the entire Wissensspur with team members and friends.

8 March 2025. 50 years ago the United Nations celebrated the International Women’s year, where they declared women’s rights, and addressed peace, education and development. On this occasion the tour revisited the agenda of the feminist movement and its important activists in Leipzig. We took a look back at the 1970s, and at Leipzig’s female Students, Teachers, Researchers, and strong women who contributed to the constitution of the Women’s Day.

The School Museum — Workshop for School History Leipzig is an institution of the City of Leipzig, in collaboration with Leipzig University and HTWK Leipzig. Its unique collections and library holdings offer a comprehensive documentation of Leipzig’s history of education and schooling. The museum features lessons from the Imperial Era and the GDR school system, along with exhibitions, workshops, and project initiatives that explore the intersection of education and resistance, offering fresh perspectives on these themes.

In the winter term 2024/25 the studium universale of the University of Leipzig visited selected sites of the Leipzig Liberal Arts and Science Trail. We learned about the history of the places, and the contemporary research conducted in the places.

23 October 2024. In the winter term 2024/25 the WissensSpur is the topic of the lecture series studium universale of Leipzig University. In the first meeting, on October 23rd, we introduced the idea of the WissensSpuren and their new homepage to the public audience of the city of Leipzig.

10 August 2024. We took a first run of the entire Wissensspur with team members and friends.

2 August 2024. We had our first run of the WissensSpuren mit Kindern.

In the winter term 2024/25 the studium universale of the University of Leipzig visited selected sites of the Leipzig Liberal Arts and Science Trail. We learned about the history of the places, and the contemporary research conducted in the places.

The Max Planck Society (MPG) was founded in 1948 to keep up the tradition of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gesellschaft. Many outstanding reserachers have worked and continue to work at this most renowned German research organization, as exemplified by the large number of nobel laureates among its ranks. After the reunification in 1989 the society founded new institutes in several locations in Eastern Germany. Three of them are located in Leipzig.

Leipzig’s research diversity is reflected in its four Leibniz Institutes. The Leibniz Association, named after the philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716), a native of Leipzig, is one of Germany’s four non-university research organizations. It connects 96 independent institutes focusing on fields such as natural sciences, engineering, economics, and the humanities. Addressing socially, economically, and ecologically relevant topics, the Leibniz Institutes are jointly funded by federal and state governments due to their national significance.

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVA) was founded in 1997. Researchers from over 30 countries and different disciplines work in seven departments. Their common goal is to explore the history of humanity from an interdisciplinary perspective. This involves comparative analyses of the genes, cultures, cognitive abilities, and social systems of past and present human populations, as well as those of closely related primate groups. Of particular note is the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to the Institute’s founding director, Svante Pääbo, for his discoveries related to the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.

The Max Planck Society (MPG) was founded in 1948 to keep up the tradition of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gesellschaft. Many outstanding reserachers have worked and continue to work at this most renowned German research organization, as exemplified by the large number of nobel laureates among its ranks. After the reunification in 1989 the society founded new institutes in several locations in Eastern Germany. Three of them are located in Leipzig.

The Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) is an internationally renowned research institute into the fundamentals of human cognition. The main focus of the research is on fundamental mechanisms of human thinking and the neural foundations of higher brain functions such as language, memory, orientation, music, and communication. Furthermore, the plastic change capacity of the brain and its influence on various cognitive abilities are examined, as well as the neuronal and hormonal basis of diseases of civilization such as high blood pressure and obesity.

The Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences (MPI MiS) is an internationally oriented research institute for mathematics, with a research focus on the interaction between mathematics and other sciences. The institute’s name is understood as a philosophical and cultural mission: to view mathematics not merely as a modern and powerful tool for scientific applications, but also as a means to address fundamental questions in the sciences through its unique approach, thereby enriching mathematics itself. In addition to its academic mission, the institute is particularly committed to supporting early-career researchers, fostering both doctoral candidates and young scientists in their initial postdoctoral steps. A distinctive feature of the institute is its highly international guest program, which promotes global collaboration and exchange.

The origins of the veterinary clinics date back to 1780. In 1923, it was incorporated into the University of Leipzig where a separate campus was built for the new Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Today, it is one of five veterinary training centers in Germany. Research focuses on emerging animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe, and their potential impact on agriculture, ecosystems and human health. The faculty is involved in knowledge transfer at the children’s project day “VetDay,” participation in the Children’s University and the studium universale, as well as the Long Night of Sciences.

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVA) was founded in 1997. Researchers from over 30 countries and different disciplines work in seven departments. Their common goal is to explore the history of humanity from an interdisciplinary perspective. This involves comparative analyses of the genes, cultures, cognitive abilities, and social systems of past and present human populations, as well as those of closely related primate groups. Of particular note is the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to the Institute’s founding director, Svante Pääbo, for his discoveries related to the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.

The collection of the Veterinary Anatomical Institute includes anatomical and embryological specimens, as well as demonstration objects used in veterinary education. Students can also access them for self-study. In addition to specimens, the collection features models, plaster casts, and sculptures, providing insights into the anatomy of organ systems in domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, small mammals, and a selection of zoo and wild animals.

The German National Library is the central archive library for all media works in German from Germany and abroad. The building complex also houses the German Music Archive and the German Museum for Books and Writing. Hence, the German National Library is a library and archive, a museum, and a forum of public exchange. The German National Library is a place of freedom of information and expression, which aims to inspire and at the same time encourage critical thinking with a comprehensive program of events and hands-on activities.

The German National Library is the central archive library for all media works in German from Germany and abroad. The building complex also houses the German Music Archive and the German Museum for Books and Writing. Hence, the German National Library is a library and archive, a museum, and a forum of public exchange. The German National Library is a place of freedom of information and expression, which aims to inspire and at the same time encourage critical thinking with a comprehensive program of events and hands-on activities.

The Leipzig City Archive is one of the largest communal archives in Germany. It offers comprehensive research services to its visitors, and invites them to “dive into the memory of the City”. Predominantly, it preserves information about the communal administration and material to track the evolution of the city. They are bundled into 500 collections that comprise records of various kinds. Presently, it is storing more than 4,000 certificates, 12,500 shelf meters of documents, books of accounting, newspapers, and pamphlets, 90,000 maps and plans, 350,000 photos and post cards, as well as collections on the history of Leipzig since the founding of the city in 1165 until its recent past.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) is a leading research center in biodiversity sciences with a research focus on insights into the biological diversity of Earth. Researchers from all over the world cooperate to build the scientific foundation of a sustainable development in biological diversity. Moreover, the center reaches out to the civil society – for instance through its internationally oriented media relations, or in events like the Long Night of Sciences, the Leipzig Book Fair, or SPIN 2030.

Wonder – Knowledge – Growth | INSPIRATA e.V. is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting mathematics and natural science education. The aim is to inspire children and young people, starting from preschool age, to develop a passion for STEM subjects — not with complicated formulas and symbols, but in a hands-on, and engaging way! The core of INSPIRATA is a constantly evolving exhibition with exhibits through which visitors can experience the natural sciences by conducting their own experiments. True to the motto “Wonder – Knowledge – Growth,” it offers the opportunity to engage in experiments and uncover the principles behind them.

Physical research in Leipzig dates back to 1557 when a professorship for physics was established. In the 18th century, even Saxon princes traveled from Dresden to witness impressive demonstrations of electrical charges and discharges. In 1835, the University of Leipzig (UL) established “one of the first, if not the first, state physics institutes in Germany” (according to Otto Wiener). In 1905, the largest physics institute building in Germany at the time was inaugurated on Linnéstraße. In the 1920s, the institute was led by Peter Debye (Nobel Prize 1936), Werner Heisenberg (Nobel Prize 1933), and Friedrich Hund. The fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and its applications in solid-state physics, nuclear physics, and chemistry were largely developed in Leipzig. After World War II, Gustav Hertz (Nobel Prize 1925) rebuilt the building and the research operations.

The origins of the veterinary clinics date back to 1780. In 1923, it was incorporated into the University of Leipzig where a separate campus was built for the new Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Today, it is one of five veterinary training centers in Germany. Research focuses on emerging animal diseases and zoonoses in Europe, and their potential impact on agriculture, ecosystems and human health. The faculty is involved in knowledge transfer at the children’s project day “VetDay,” participation in the Children’s University and the studium universale, as well as the Long Night of Sciences.

Faculty libraries have existed since the university was established. A centralized university library was founded in the mid-16th century, following the Reformation and the subsequent dissolution of monasteries. Selected book collections from monasteries in Albertine Saxony were transferred to this library, forming the initial foundation of the Bibliotheca Albertina. Over time, the collection grew through further acquisitions and donations. Today, the University Library Leipzig (ULB) holds one of Germany’s largest collections of historical materials. In the 19th century, the university library became the central hub for providing literature to the university community. Today, it also serves as a significant venue for exhibitions and events.

The Leipzig Adult Education Center is the municipal continuing education center for all Leipzig residents. Founded in 1922, it offers over 4,000 course offerings every year with the help of around 750 freelance course instructors. Its tradition goes back to the Enlightenment and workers’ education movement. Today it stands for lifelong learning, a wide range of high-quality educational offerings, the combination of education, communication and experience, individual advice and competent service as well as socially acceptable remuneration. The Adult Education Center offers educational opportunities for all-round and professional development, interesting leisure activities and opportunities to get to know other people, exchange ideas, and share experiences.

In 1710, the University of Leipzig appointed its first “Professor of Chemistry.” Approximately a century later, the university inaugurated its first chemical laboratory. By the next century, Leipzig had firmly established itself as a distinguished center of research and education, recognized globally for its academic excellence. Wilhelm Ostwald received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909 for his research at Leipzig, and four alumni from the university — August Arrhenius (1903), Walther Hermann Nernst (1920), as well as Friedrich Bergius and Carl Bosch (1931) — were also awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

The Else-Frenkel-Brunswik Institute (EFBI) at the University of Leipzig, founded in the fall of 2020, is named after the psychoanalyst Else Frenkel-Brunswik, whose research tradition the institute follows. The EFBI focuses on three key areas of research: attitude research, research in conflict areas, and the documentation of anti-democratic networks. Notable studies include the Berlin Monitor and the Leipzig Authoritarianism Studies. The results of the institute’s research are presented and discussed in numerous public events.

Since 2005 the German Institute for Literature Leipzig (DLL) resides in a bourgeois villa in the Wächterstraße 34. This central institution of Leipzig University is devoted to the education of prospective German writers. A key objective of its study program in the fostering and reflexion of individual literarary projects and writing. The bachelor program addresses on a broad range of oeuvres in prosa, lyrics and scenic writing. The focus of the masters program is on developing a project for a novel. Regularly, the institute can be visited for readings and other public events.

The German National Library is the central archive library for all media works in German from Germany and abroad. The building complex also houses the German Music Archive and the German Museum for Books and Writing. Hence, the German National Library is a library and archive, a museum, and a forum of public exchange. The German National Library is a place of freedom of information and expression, which aims to inspire and at the same time encourage critical thinking with a comprehensive program of events and hands-on activities.

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) was founded and developed as part of German reunification with the aim of establishing a “broadly based center for researching the ecology of industrialized urban regions.” Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading research centers in environmental science. More than 1,000 employees at the UFZ share the goal of identifying ways to reconcile a healthy environment with societal development through cutting-edge research. Their work has played a key role in transforming the Leipzig area into a rich ecosystem with significant recreational value.

The Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow (DI) conducts multidisciplinary and historically comprehensive research on Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe from the Middle Ages to the present. Its research adopts a pan-European perspective and includes the regions of Jewish emigration, particularly Israel, as well as North and Latin America. Through events, university teaching, and a wide range of publications, the research findings are communicated to both academic audiences and the interested public. A stated goal is to conduct high-level humanities research and to enhance societal differentiation and critical thinking through the transfer of knowledge by conveying scientific insights.

The Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) focuses its research on the region between the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic. From Late Antiquity to the present, it examines the characteristics, transformations, and interrelationships of this region within an increasingly globalized world. At the GWZO, experts from various humanities disciplines and scholarly traditions collaborate. The institute shares its research findings with specialists and the public through academic and non-academic publications, exhibitions, events, and digital knowledge resources. In this way, past and present developments in Eastern Europe are made more comprehensible.

The Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) pursues a clear and globally unique research profile, focusing on aerosols, which are tiny airborne particles, and clouds. Although they exist in minimal quantities, aerosols are vital components of the atmosphere, as they play a key role in regulating the Earth’s energy, water, and trace substance balance. Human activities can alter the properties of these highly dispersed systems, directly and indirectly affecting humans. This can happen both through the health impacts of inhaled particles and droplets, as well as through regional and global climate change.

The Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow (DI) conducts multidisciplinary and historically comprehensive research on Jewish life in Central and Eastern Europe from the Middle Ages to the present. Its research adopts a pan-European perspective and includes the regions of Jewish emigration, particularly Israel, as well as North and Latin America. Through events, university teaching, and a wide range of publications, the research findings are communicated to both academic audiences and the interested public. A stated goal is to conduct high-level humanities research and to enhance societal differentiation and critical thinking through the transfer of knowledge by conveying scientific insights.

The Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) focuses its research on the region between the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic. From Late Antiquity to the present, it examines the characteristics, transformations, and interrelationships of this region within an increasingly globalized world. At the GWZO, experts from various humanities disciplines and scholarly traditions collaborate. The institute shares its research findings with specialists and the public through academic and non-academic publications, exhibitions, events, and digital knowledge resources. In this way, past and present developments in Eastern Europe are made more comprehensible.

Leipzig’s research diversity is reflected in its four Leibniz Institutes. The Leibniz Association, named after the philosopher and mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716), a native of Leipzig, is one of Germany’s four non-university research organizations. It connects 96 independent institutes focusing on fields such as natural sciences, engineering, economics, and the humanities. Addressing socially, economically, and ecologically relevant topics, the Leibniz Institutes are jointly funded by federal and state governments due to their national significance.

The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (IfL) is the only non-university research institute for geography in Germany. The institute’s origins date back to 1896, when the Leipzig Museum of Ethnology displayed the collection of geologist Alphons Stübel, which became an independent Museum of Regional Geography in 1907. The institution flourished, and by the 1930s, the museum had also become a research institute. From 1950 onward, the institute evolved into the central geographic research institute of the GDR. In 1976, it was integrated into the Academy of Sciences of the GDR as the Institute for Geography and Geoecology (IGG). After German reunification, it was re-established as the Institute for Regional Geography. Since 1996, it has been located at its current site in Leipzig-Paunsdorf.

The Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) pursues a clear and globally unique research profile, focusing on aerosols, which are tiny airborne particles, and clouds. Although they exist in minimal quantities, aerosols are vital components of the atmosphere, as they play a key role in regulating the Earth’s energy, water, and trace substance balance. Human activities can alter the properties of these highly dispersed systems, directly and indirectly affecting humans. This can happen both through the health impacts of inhaled particles and droplets, as well as through regional and global climate change.

The Leipzig Adult Education Center is the municipal continuing education center for all Leipzig residents. Founded in 1922, it offers over 4,000 course offerings every year with the help of around 750 freelance course instructors. Its tradition goes back to the Enlightenment and workers’ education movement. Today it stands for lifelong learning, a wide range of high-quality educational offerings, the combination of education, communication and experience, individual advice and competent service as well as socially acceptable remuneration. The Adult Education Center offers educational opportunities for all-round and professional development, interesting leisure activities and opportunities to get to know other people, exchange ideas, and share experiences.

The Leipzig City Archive is one of the largest communal archives in Germany. It offers comprehensive research services to its visitors, and invites them to “dive into the memory of the City”. Predominantly, it preserves information about the communal administration and material to track the evolution of the city. They are bundled into 500 collections that comprise records of various kinds. Presently, it is storing more than 4,000 certificates, 12,500 shelf meters of documents, books of accounting, newspapers, and pamphlets, 90,000 maps and plans, 350,000 photos and post cards, as well as collections on the history of Leipzig since the founding of the city in 1165 until its recent past.

The origin of the Leipzig City Council Library and later the Leipzig City Library began from donations of 42 books from the estate of Dietrich von Bocksdorf (deceased 1466) and 253 books from town clerk and syndic Peter Freitag. By the end of the 19th century, the collection had grown to over 100,000 books, and the music department of the city library was established. By its 250th anniversary in 1927, the library had 155,000 volumes, including 660 early printed works (incunabula), and 1,702 manuscripts. Since 1991, the City Library has been housed in the old Grassi Museum at Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. In addition to providing an extensive media offering and free access to information, the Leipzig City Library enriches the cultural life of Leipzig with events for all age groups and serves as a place of encounter and joint learning.

Faculty libraries have existed since the university was established. A centralized university library was founded in the mid-16th century, following the Reformation and the subsequent dissolution of monasteries. Selected book collections from monasteries in Albertine Saxony were transferred to this library, forming the initial foundation of the Bibliotheca Albertina. Over time, the collection grew through further acquisitions and donations. Today, the University Library Leipzig (ULB) holds one of Germany’s largest collections of historical materials. In the 19th century, the university library became the central hub for providing literature to the university community. Today, it also serves as a significant venue for exhibitions and events.

The German National Library is the central archive library for all media works in German from Germany and abroad. The building complex also houses the German Music Archive and the German Museum for Books and Writing. Hence, the German National Library is a library and archive, a museum, and a forum of public exchange. The German National Library is a place of freedom of information and expression, which aims to inspire and at the same time encourage critical thinking with a comprehensive program of events and hands-on activities.

The origin of the Leipzig City Council Library and later the Leipzig City Library began from donations of 42 books from the estate of Dietrich von Bocksdorf (deceased 1466) and 253 books from town clerk and syndic Peter Freitag. By the end of the 19th century, the collection had grown to over 100,000 books, and the music department of the city library was established. By its 250th anniversary in 1927, the library had 155,000 volumes, including 660 early printed works (incunabula), and 1,702 manuscripts. Since 1991, the City Library has been housed in the old Grassi Museum at Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz. In addition to providing an extensive media offering and free access to information, the Leipzig City Library enriches the cultural life of Leipzig with events for all age groups and serves as a place of encounter and joint learning.

Leipzig is a city of libraries and archives. The city archive has preserved deeds and documents of the City of Leipzig since the 12th century, and the university archive has been operating since the early 15th century. The university library and the city library were founded in the 16th century with important donations from the Leipzig monastic libraries. In 1912 the German National Library was founded in Leipzig. As a contribution to preserve and document the German cultural heritage it collects and documents all publications in German or about Germany.

The Leipzig City Archive is one of the largest communal archives in Germany. It offers comprehensive research services to its visitors, and invites them to “dive into the memory of the City”. Predominantly, it preserves information about the communal administration and material to track the evolution of the city. They are bundled into 500 collections that comprise records of various kinds. Presently, it is storing more than 4,000 certificates, 12,500 shelf meters of documents, books of accounting, newspapers, and pamphlets, 90,000 maps and plans, 350,000 photos and post cards, as well as collections on the history of Leipzig since the founding of the city in 1165 until its recent past.

Leipzig University is the second oldest university in Germany, and the Leipzig University Archives are responsible for the preservation of the University’s records since its foundation in 1409. The staff of the University Archives support students, academics, users, family researchers, doctoral candidates, interested Leipzig citizens, and alumni of Leipzig University with on-site research, extensive databases, information on university history and archiving, as well as research opportunities on the Internet. Guided tours and a blog with information on anniversaries, media contributions, and numerous (virtual) exhibitions also serve the transfer of knowledge.

The Max Planck Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) is an internationally renowned research institute into the fundamentals of human cognition. The main focus of the research is on fundamental mechanisms of human thinking and the neural foundations of higher brain functions such as language, memory, orientation, music, and communication. Furthermore, the plastic change capacity of the brain and its influence on various cognitive abilities are examined, as well as the neuronal and hormonal basis of diseases of civilization such as high blood pressure and obesity.

The Leipzig Institute of Meteorology (LIM) has a tradition of over 100 years in meteorological and climatological research. Today, it is a recognized international center for meteorological research and teaching in the field of meteorology and climatology. The institute is an integral part of Leipzig University’s Children’s University and has its own blog for children (Mia’s Climate Diary). It is also an important part of the Long Night of Sciences and provides an overview of the currently measured weather from the measuring meadow in front of the institute and the institute tower on the website, and displayed on a screen in the building.

Faculty libraries have existed since the university was established. A centralized university library was founded in the mid-16th century, following the Reformation and the subsequent dissolution of monasteries. Selected book collections from monasteries in Albertine Saxony were transferred to this library, forming the initial foundation of the Bibliotheca Albertina. Over time, the collection grew through further acquisitions and donations. Today, the University Library Leipzig (ULB) holds one of Germany’s largest collections of historical materials. In the 19th century, the university library became the central hub for providing literature to the university community. Today, it also serves as a significant venue for exhibitions and events.

The Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Leipzig was founded on 1 July 1846, under the name of Royal Saxon Society of Sciences. It follows the tradition of scientific academies set out by Leibnitz around 1700: bringing together scientists from various disciplines for regular exchanges of ideas, discussing methods and findings of specialized research in an interdisciplinary dialogue, conducting long-term research projects, and combining “theoriam cum praxi”—the union of theory and practice. To this end the Academy regularly convenes nationally and internationally renowned scholars for cross-disciplinary discussions.

The University of Music and Theatre »Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy« Leipzig (Hochschule für Musik und Theater, or HMT) emerged in 1992 as the successor to Germany’s oldest Academies of Music (1943) and Theater (1953, with roots in the Leipzig Theatre School founded in 1875-1876). Approximately 175 years ago, the concept of creating a musical educational institution in order to be able to provide the best possible education for young talent was a revolutionary idea. Today, it is important to continue to live up to this core mission in the midst of a rapidly changing, globalization-oriented world, without forgetting its traditional roots.

The Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst/Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB) is one of the oldest and most prestigious Colleges of Fine Arts in Europe. The Academy provides art and design education at the highest level since more than 250 years. Its excellent reputation is due to countless graduates who continually make a significant impact on the areas of fine art and graphic design, and many renowned professors and dedicated tutors working at the HGB. The college maintains a superb international network of more than 100 collaboration partners from various areas of the art and graphic design industry, as well as from the world of science and economics. Quality and sustainability of teaching and practice is what they stand for.

Since 2005 the German Institute for Literature Leipzig (DLL) resides in a bourgeois villa in the Wächterstraße 34. This central institution of Leipzig University is devoted to the education of prospective German writers. A key objective of its study program in the fostering and reflexion of individual literarary projects and writing. The bachelor program addresses on a broad range of oeuvres in prosa, lyrics and scenic writing. The focus of the masters program is on developing a project for a novel. Regularly, the institute can be visited for readings and other public events.

Lectures on political theory at the University of Leipzig have been documented since 1410, but today’s Institute of Political Science is a result and benefit of the period of German reunification. During this period, the relationship between politics and philosophy, history, jurisprudence, and economics was repeatedly renegotiated. In the 19th century, for example, a strong connection to national economics was promoted. With the break from the academic systems of the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century, the founding of the institute in 1993 led to a reorientation of research and teaching under the thematic umbrella of “Democracy - Education - Europe”. The guiding principle here is the factual and problem-oriented analysis of political processes, structures and content in a non-discriminatory space.

The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (IfL) is the only non-university research institute for geography in Germany. The institute’s origins date back to 1896, when the Leipzig Museum of Ethnology displayed the collection of geologist Alphons Stübel, which became an independent Museum of Regional Geography in 1907. The institution flourished, and by the 1930s, the museum had also become a research institute. From 1950 onward, the institute evolved into the central geographic research institute of the GDR. In 1976, it was integrated into the Academy of Sciences of the GDR as the Institute for Geography and Geoecology (IGG). After German reunification, it was re-established as the Institute for Regional Geography. Since 1996, it has been located at its current site in Leipzig-Paunsdorf.

The Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) pursues a clear and globally unique research profile, focusing on aerosols, which are tiny airborne particles, and clouds. Although they exist in minimal quantities, aerosols are vital components of the atmosphere, as they play a key role in regulating the Earth’s energy, water, and trace substance balance. Human activities can alter the properties of these highly dispersed systems, directly and indirectly affecting humans. This can happen both through the health impacts of inhaled particles and droplets, as well as through regional and global climate change.

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) was founded and developed as part of German reunification with the aim of establishing a “broadly based center for researching the ecology of industrialized urban regions.” Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading research centers in environmental science. More than 1,000 employees at the UFZ share the goal of identifying ways to reconcile a healthy environment with societal development through cutting-edge research. Their work has played a key role in transforming the Leipzig area into a rich ecosystem with significant recreational value.

The Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ) explores how the limited resources of biomass can be used with maximum sustainability and efficiency in our energy systems. To this end the insitute identifies, develops, supports, evaluates, and demonstrates the most promising fields of application of bioenergy. Thus, its work extends our knowledge about the opportunities and limitations of the energetic and physical use of renewable raw materials, and it permanently secures the leading role of German industry in this sector.

Lectures on political theory at the University of Leipzig have been documented since 1410, but today’s Institute of Political Science is a result and benefit of the period of German reunification. During this period, the relationship between politics and philosophy, history, jurisprudence, and economics was repeatedly renegotiated. In the 19th century, for example, a strong connection to national economics was promoted. With the break from the academic systems of the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century, the founding of the institute in 1993 led to a reorientation of research and teaching under the thematic umbrella of “Democracy - Education - Europe”. The guiding principle here is the factual and problem-oriented analysis of political processes, structures and content in a non-discriminatory space.

In 1879, Leipzig University professor Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt (1832 – 1920) founded the world’s first Institute of Psychology. Many scholars from around the world attended Wundt’s lectures, participated in his seminars, and took part in experimental research in his laboratory. He wrote numerous highly influential books and provided assessments for 184 doctoral theses. At least 60 of his doctoral students came from abroad, including 18 from the United States. Today, ten university professors work at the Institute of Psychology, and three honorary professors serve as directors at the Leipzig Max Planck Institutes for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and for Evolutionary Anthropology. Their research spans all major fundamental and applied areas of contemporary psychology.

The Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Leipzig was founded on 1 July 1846, under the name of Royal Saxon Society of Sciences. It follows the tradition of scientific academies set out by Leibnitz around 1700: bringing together scientists from various disciplines for regular exchanges of ideas, discussing methods and findings of specialized research in an interdisciplinary dialogue, conducting long-term research projects, and combining “theoriam cum praxi”—the union of theory and practice. To this end the Academy regularly convenes nationally and internationally renowned scholars for cross-disciplinary discussions.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) is a leading research center in biodiversity sciences with a research focus on insights into the biological diversity of Earth. Researchers from all over the world cooperate to build the scientific foundation of a sustainable development in biological diversity. Moreover, the center reaches out to the civil society – for instance through its internationally oriented media relations, or in events like the Long Night of Sciences, the Leipzig Book Fair, or SPIN 2030.

The medical history collections at the Karl Sudhoff Institute go back to the fundamental Leipzig research work of Karl Sudhoff (1853 – 1938). Since then, the collection has been continuously expanded through purchases, donations, and bequests. Most of the objects date from the last decades of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. A small part even dates back to the 16th century. Selected objects and special exhibitions can now be seen in new premises on the campus of the University Medical Center.

The collection of the Veterinary Anatomical Institute includes anatomical and embryological specimens, as well as demonstration objects used in veterinary education. Students can also access them for self-study. In addition to specimens, the collection features models, plaster casts, and sculptures, providing insights into the anatomy of organ systems in domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, small mammals, and a selection of zoo and wild animals.

With over 2,600 public botanical collections worldwide, housing more than 300 million plant specimens, the Leipzig Herbarium stands as one of the most historically significant. It was founded in 1806 by Chr. F. Schwägrichen (1775–1853) and is the oldest university herbarium in Germany. The collection is primarily a research collection, with subcollections specifically designed for student education. As a service to the public, the herbarium offers species identification, provides cultivation recommendations for plants, and suggests measures to combat phytoparasitic fungi.

The university collections are used to document and preserve the physical objects of research. They support the teaching by providing a tactile context for historical or abstract concepts, and by communicating overarching concepts in hands-on narratives. They are open regularly for public audiences in guided tours and public events.

The medical history collections at the Karl Sudhoff Institute go back to the fundamental Leipzig research work of Karl Sudhoff (1853 – 1938). Since then, the collection has been continuously expanded through purchases, donations, and bequests. Most of the objects date from the last decades of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. A small part even dates back to the 16th century. Selected objects and special exhibitions can now be seen in new premises on the campus of the University Medical Center.

Thanks to the work of generations of geoscientists at the Institute and donations from important collectors and patrons, the Geological-Palaeontological Collection at Leipzig University has grown into one of the largest and most important fossil and rock collections in the German university landscape. Today, the teaching and research repository contains around 85,000 items, spread across 1,780 collection drawers in 110 collection cabinets. The items in the collection bring the diverse geological past of Saxony and Central Germany to life. Since mid-May 2019, they can once again be admired in their historic rooms. Regular events and special exhibitions provide the general public with geoscientific and palaeontological knowledge about Saxony, Central Germany and the world.

In general, maps serve to impart knowledge, act as orientation aids in the terrain, are contemporary witnesses, and often also works of art. They document current and historical conditions of topographical and thematic content of any kind. The Geoscientific Map Collection of the Institute of Geography is a teaching collection comprising over 33,000 inventoried maps, atlases, travel and specialist literature, and explanatory notes. The majority of the objects (approx. 26,900) are recorded electronically, can be accessed internally in a database, or are also available online. The premises of the collection can be visited by appointment or during the opening hours of the collection.

The collection of the first Zoological Museum was opened in 1837 by the first Chair of Zoology, Eduard Friedrich Poeppig. From 1907, the taxidermist Hermanus Hendrikus ter Meer from Leiden made a decisive contribution with the dermoplastic technique: this made it possible to prepare vertebrates in a proportionate and therefore lifelike manner. In the 1960s a large part of the collection was transferred to other museums, in particular the Leipzig Natural History Museum.

The Prehistoric and Protohistoric Collection was established shortly after setting up the chair in Leipzig in 1934 by the first professor, Kurt Tackenberg. It comprises earlier collections from local citizens and antiquarian societies in Leipzig, which were subsequently expanded through targeted acquisitions. Despite significant losses during World War II, the collection grew to over 10,000 artifacts. These original finds and replicas offer a comprehensive overview of all periods of prehistoric and protohistoric Central Europe, from the Paleolithic hand axe (1 million years ago) to the medieval stove tile (14th century). They continue to play a central role in the curricular activities on pre- and protohistory to this day. Visits are possible only by prior arrangement and during special events.

Thanks to the work of generations of geoscientists at the Institute and donations from important collectors and patrons, the Geological-Palaeontological Collection at Leipzig University has grown into one of the largest and most important fossil and rock collections in the German university landscape. Today, the teaching and research repository contains around 85,000 items, spread across 1,780 collection drawers in 110 collection cabinets. The items in the collection bring the diverse geological past of Saxony and Central Germany to life. Since mid-May 2019, they can once again be admired in their historic rooms. Regular events and special exhibitions provide the general public with geoscientific and palaeontological knowledge about Saxony, Central Germany and the world.

The Botanical Garden at Leipzig University is the oldest of its kind in Germany and is considered one of the oldest gardens in Europe, along with Pisa, Padua and Florence. In its more than 450-year history, it has been relocated four times within the city limits of Leipzig. Since 1877 it resides at its current location in Linnéstraße. Today, the Botanical Garden is a garden of diversity. It is not only used for teaching and research, but also as a space for fostering interaction and a meeting place for knowledge transfer between the university and society.

The Henriette Goldschmidt School was founded in 1911 by Henriette Goldschmidt at its current location in Leipzig. It was the first university in Germany to give women and girls the opportunity to acquire a scientifically based education, as well as the self-esteem and opportunity of financial independence entailed by a profound professional education — a privilege not widely available in that period. Presently, the school is a modern school centre for professional education of podologists, childcare and healthcare support workers, and a city college for health care and social professions.

The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI EVA) was founded in 1997. Researchers from over 30 countries and different disciplines work in seven departments. Their common goal is to explore the history of humanity from an interdisciplinary perspective. This involves comparative analyses of the genes, cultures, cognitive abilities, and social systems of past and present human populations, as well as those of closely related primate groups. Of particular note is the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded to the Institute’s founding director, Svante Pääbo, for his discoveries related to the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.

The collection of the Veterinary Anatomical Institute includes anatomical and embryological specimens, as well as demonstration objects used in veterinary education. Students can also access them for self-study. In addition to specimens, the collection features models, plaster casts, and sculptures, providing insights into the anatomy of organ systems in domestic mammals, birds, reptiles, small mammals, and a selection of zoo and wild animals.

The Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst/Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig (HGB) is one of the oldest and most prestigious Colleges of Fine Arts in Europe. The Academy provides art and design education at the highest level since more than 250 years. Its excellent reputation is due to countless graduates who continually make a significant impact on the areas of fine art and graphic design, and many renowned professors and dedicated tutors working at the HGB. The college maintains a superb international network of more than 100 collaboration partners from various areas of the art and graphic design industry, as well as from the world of science and economics. Quality and sustainability of teaching and practice is what they stand for.

With over 2,600 public botanical collections worldwide, housing more than 300 million plant specimens, the Leipzig Herbarium stands as one of the most historically significant. It was founded in 1806 by Chr. F. Schwägrichen (1775–1853) and is the oldest university herbarium in Germany. The collection is primarily a research collection, with subcollections specifically designed for student education. As a service to the public, the herbarium offers species identification, provides cultivation recommendations for plants, and suggests measures to combat phytoparasitic fungi.

In general, maps serve to impart knowledge, act as orientation aids in the terrain, are contemporary witnesses, and often also works of art. They document current and historical conditions of topographical and thematic content of any kind. The Geoscientific Map Collection of the Institute of Geography is a teaching collection comprising over 33,000 inventoried maps, atlases, travel and specialist literature, and explanatory notes. The majority of the objects (approx. 26,900) are recorded electronically, can be accessed internally in a database, or are also available online. The premises of the collection can be visited by appointment or during the opening hours of the collection.

The Prehistoric and Protohistoric Collection was established shortly after setting up the chair in Leipzig in 1934 by the first professor, Kurt Tackenberg. It comprises earlier collections from local citizens and antiquarian societies in Leipzig, which were subsequently expanded through targeted acquisitions. Despite significant losses during World War II, the collection grew to over 10,000 artifacts. These original finds and replicas offer a comprehensive overview of all periods of prehistoric and protohistoric Central Europe, from the Paleolithic hand axe (1 million years ago) to the medieval stove tile (14th century). They continue to play a central role in the curricular activities on pre- and protohistory to this day. Visits are possible only by prior arrangement and during special events.

The Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ) explores how the limited resources of biomass can be used with maximum sustainability and efficiency in our energy systems. To this end the insitute identifies, develops, supports, evaluates, and demonstrates the most promising fields of application of bioenergy. Thus, its work extends our knowledge about the opportunities and limitations of the energetic and physical use of renewable raw materials, and it permanently secures the leading role of German industry in this sector.

23 October 2024. In the winter term 2024/25 the WissensSpur is the topic of the lecture series studium universale of Leipzig University. In the first meeting, on October 23rd, we introduced the idea of the WissensSpuren and their new homepage to the public audience of the city of Leipzig.

The Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences (MPI MiS) is an internationally oriented research institute for mathematics, with a research focus on the interaction between mathematics and other sciences. The institute’s name is understood as a philosophical and cultural mission: to view mathematics not merely as a modern and powerful tool for scientific applications, but also as a means to address fundamental questions in the sciences through its unique approach, thereby enriching mathematics itself. In addition to its academic mission, the institute is particularly committed to supporting early-career researchers, fostering both doctoral candidates and young scientists in their initial postdoctoral steps. A distinctive feature of the institute is its highly international guest program, which promotes global collaboration and exchange.

The Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences (MPI MiS) is an internationally oriented research institute for mathematics, with a research focus on the interaction between mathematics and other sciences. The institute’s name is understood as a philosophical and cultural mission: to view mathematics not merely as a modern and powerful tool for scientific applications, but also as a means to address fundamental questions in the sciences through its unique approach, thereby enriching mathematics itself. In addition to its academic mission, the institute is particularly committed to supporting early-career researchers, fostering both doctoral candidates and young scientists in their initial postdoctoral steps. A distinctive feature of the institute is its highly international guest program, which promotes global collaboration and exchange.

23 October 2024. In the winter term 2024/25 the WissensSpur is the topic of the lecture series studium universale of Leipzig University. In the first meeting, on October 23rd, we introduced the idea of the WissensSpuren and their new homepage to the public audience of the city of Leipzig.

10 August 2024. We took a first run of the entire Wissensspur with team members and friends.

Leipzig University is the second oldest university in Germany, and the Leipzig University Archives are responsible for the preservation of the University’s records since its foundation in 1409. The staff of the University Archives support students, academics, users, family researchers, doctoral candidates, interested Leipzig citizens, and alumni of Leipzig University with on-site research, extensive databases, information on university history and archiving, as well as research opportunities on the Internet. Guided tours and a blog with information on anniversaries, media contributions, and numerous (virtual) exhibitions also serve the transfer of knowledge.

The German National Library is the central archive library for all media works in German from Germany and abroad. The building complex also houses the German Music Archive and the German Museum for Books and Writing. Hence, the German National Library is a library and archive, a museum, and a forum of public exchange. The German National Library is a place of freedom of information and expression, which aims to inspire and at the same time encourage critical thinking with a comprehensive program of events and hands-on activities.

Leipzig hosts a considerable number of museums with a focus on research and teaching. Particularly important are the Grassi Museum for Ethnology and the German Museum of Books and Writing. Moreover, the university operates four important museums, and the city of Leipzig is operating the Leipzig Natural History Museum and the School Museum.

Leipzig University was inaugurated on 2 December 1409, and in 1512 the Nikolai School accepted its first students. Since this time academic institutions play an important role in the Leipzig’s civil society. Currently, Leipzig has five universities that look back to a history of more than 100 years.

The university collections are used to document and preserve the physical objects of research. They support the teaching by providing a tactile context for historical or abstract concepts, and by communicating overarching concepts in hands-on narratives. They are open regularly for public audiences in guided tours and public events.

Leipzig University established the first research institutes for many scientific disciplines. Thus, in 1846 the city became the seat of the Saxonian Academy of Sciences, and presently three Max Planck Institutes, the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, and a large number of Leibniz-Institutes contribute to its role as an established center of international research.

Leipzig is a city of libraries and archives. The city archive has preserved deeds and documents of the City of Leipzig since the 12th century, and the university archive has been operating since the early 15th century. The university library and the city library were founded in the 16th century with important donations from the Leipzig monastic libraries. In 1912 the German National Library was founded in Leipzig. As a contribution to preserve and document the German cultural heritage it collects and documents all publications in German or about Germany.

The Leipziger WissensSpur passes along world-renowned libraries, exciting museums, Max Planck and Leibniz institutes, as well as four universities with a long tradition and excellent research.

Numerous university professors set up collections to support their teaching, and in the 19th century a number of Leipzig businessmen (and their wives) established famous private collections. From these roots emerged a considerable number of important scientific museums and collections in Leipzig.

The collection of the first Zoological Museum was opened in 1837 by the first Chair of Zoology, Eduard Friedrich Poeppig. From 1907, the taxidermist Hermanus Hendrikus ter Meer from Leiden made a decisive contribution with the dermoplastic technique: this made it possible to prepare vertebrates in a proportionate and therefore lifelike manner. In the 1960s a large part of the collection was transferred to other museums, in particular the Leipzig Natural History Museum.

The Antikenmuseum of Leipzig University was founded in 1840, making it one of the oldest and most significant collections of Greek and Roman antiquities at German universities. Alongside the sculpture collection of the State Art Collections Dresden, it is now Saxony’s only museum offering comprehensive information on Greek and Roman antiquity. The museum is also deeply integrated into university teaching and research through various collaborative efforts.

The Forum of Contemporary History Leipzig is a venue for political and historical education, and one of four museums of the Haus der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland Foundation. The permanent exhibition “Our History: Dictatorship and Democracy after 1945” takes visitors on a journey through history – from the years after the Second World War to life in former East Germany and today’s Federal Republic of Germany. Furthermore, the forum presents special exhibitions on topics of relevance to the German civil society, and it offers a thriving cultural program with film exhibitions, talks, round-table discussions, and conferences.

Wonder – Knowledge – Growth | INSPIRATA e.V. is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting mathematics and natural science education. The aim is to inspire children and young people, starting from preschool age, to develop a passion for STEM subjects — not with complicated formulas and symbols, but in a hands-on, and engaging way! The core of INSPIRATA is a constantly evolving exhibition with exhibits through which visitors can experience the natural sciences by conducting their own experiments. True to the motto “Wonder – Knowledge – Growth,” it offers the opportunity to engage in experiments and uncover the principles behind them.

Leipzig University is organized into 14 faculties with more than 100 institutes. The research topics cover a broad spectrum of disciplines in life sciences, social sciences and humanities, and the natural sciences — with particular strength in the fields of global interactions, (bio-)materials, intelligent materials, biotechnology, mathematical sciences, and biodiversity.

The Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK) was founded on July 15th, 1992 as a merger of the HTWK’s predecessor institutions in Leipzig — the Leipzig University of Technology, the Leipzig School of Librarians and Booksellers, the School of Librarianship, and the Institute of Museology. As one of Germany’s largest universities of applied sciences, the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences incorporates learning institutions that are especially typical for the city of Leipzig, such as librarians, book traders, and museologists, as well as for a wide range of engineering professions.

The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (IfL) is the only non-university research institute for geography in Germany. The institute’s origins date back to 1896, when the Leipzig Museum of Ethnology displayed the collection of geologist Alphons Stübel, which became an independent Museum of Regional Geography in 1907. The institution flourished, and by the 1930s, the museum had also become a research institute. From 1950 onward, the institute evolved into the central geographic research institute of the GDR. In 1976, it was integrated into the Academy of Sciences of the GDR as the Institute for Geography and Geoecology (IGG). After German reunification, it was re-established as the Institute for Regional Geography. Since 1996, it has been located at its current site in Leipzig-Paunsdorf.

The Alma Mater Lipsiensis was founded in 1409 by an initiative of scholars who emigrated from the University of Prague, and in 1519 the Leipzig Disputations at the university were the beginning of the schisma between Rome and the Lutherans. During the reformation the university received donations that turned it into one of the riches universities in the Holy Roman Empire. Numerous scholars of world fame have taught and studied here, and time and again important impulses for the development of science emerged in Leipzig. Moreover, due to its role as leading university of the kingdom (and later state) of Saxony it contributed markedly to the development of the wider region. A corner stone of these endeavors has always been its Motto Surpassing Borders by Tradition.

The Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK) was founded on July 15th, 1992 as a merger of the HTWK’s predecessor institutions in Leipzig — the Leipzig University of Technology, the Leipzig School of Librarians and Booksellers, the School of Librarianship, and the Institute of Museology. As one of Germany’s largest universities of applied sciences, the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences incorporates learning institutions that are especially typical for the city of Leipzig, such as librarians, book traders, and museologists, as well as for a wide range of engineering professions.

As Leipzig’s first municipal school, the Old Nikolai School at Nikolai churchyard is one of the city’s most valuable cultural monuments. It first opened its doors in 1512. Famous alumni of the school include Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, Johann Gottfried Seume, Richard Wagner, and Karl Liebknecht. Today it houses a permanent exhibition on Richard Wagner, and the Leipzig University Museum of Antiquities.

The University of Music and Theatre »Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy« Leipzig (Hochschule für Musik und Theater, or HMT) emerged in 1992 as the successor to Germany’s oldest Academies of Music (1943) and Theater (1953, with roots in the Leipzig Theatre School founded in 1875-1876). Approximately 175 years ago, the concept of creating a musical educational institution in order to be able to provide the best possible education for young talent was a revolutionary idea. Today, it is important to continue to live up to this core mission in the midst of a rapidly changing, globalization-oriented world, without forgetting its traditional roots.

The Alma Mater Lipsiensis was founded in 1409 by an initiative of scholars who emigrated from the University of Prague, and in 1519 the Leipzig Disputations at the university were the beginning of the schisma between Rome and the Lutherans. During the reformation the university received donations that turned it into one of the riches universities in the Holy Roman Empire. Numerous scholars of world fame have taught and studied here, and time and again important impulses for the development of science emerged in Leipzig. Moreover, due to its role as leading university of the kingdom (and later state) of Saxony it contributed markedly to the development of the wider region. A corner stone of these endeavors has always been its Motto Surpassing Borders by Tradition.

Founded in 1873, the Institute of Art History is one of the few art historical institutes globally that was established in the 19th century. The research and teaching of the professors, lecturers, and numerous teaching assistants from the art history field cover the entire spectrum of the discipline, from the Middle Ages to the present. The institute maintains contact with the public in Leipzig through numerous and close collaborations with the art museums in the city center.