The University of Göttingen is an internationally renowned research university. Founded in 1737 in the Age of Enlightenment, the University is committed to the values of social responsibility of science, democracy, tolerance and justice. It offers a comprehensive range of subjects across 13 faculties: in the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and medicine. With about 28,000 students and more than 210 degree programmes, the University is one of the largest in Germany.
New press releases
Urban blue spaces: quietly supporting food, income and community
The rivers, lakes and ponds in cities – urban blue spaces also known as UBS – are increasingly recognised for their ecological and social roles. However, their contributions to sustainable food systems remains understudied. For this reason, an international research team examined the extent and benefits of foraging for food in blue spaces across four major Indian cities. The items collected included fish, crabs, clams and plants as well as berries, mushrooms and flowers.
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Sustainable food systems and the meaning and structure of sentences
The German Research Foundation (DFG) has extended its funding for two Research Training Groups (RTGs) at the University of Göttingen. The RTG “Sustainable Food Systems” carries out research at the interface between agricultural and economic sciences and has been awarded funding of around €5.5 million. The RTG “Form-meaning Mismatches” carries out research in linguistics and will receive around €4.5 million in funding.
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How can cocoa farmers adapt to climate change?
Climate change threatens agricultural production across sub-Saharan Africa, where most farmers rely on rainfall. A new study shows that Ghanaian cocoa farmers who cultivate cocoa under shade trees – a practice known as agroforestry – are better able to withstand periods of reduced rainfall. However, the study also finds that these benefits are confined to Ghana’s wetter regions, which have a climate that better suits growing cocoa.
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Connections with nature in protected areas
Protected areas are often seen as refuges for plants and animals – yet they are also places where people live, work and relax. A new study shows how deeply people are connected to these landscapes. The research team analyzed personal stories from residents, land managers, and visitors in protected areas. Their findings reveal that protected areas foster local identity, support learning about nature, and provide spaces for recreation, working together and community engagement.
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Göttingen University successful again at Lower Saxony Science Awards
Göttingen University’s Professor of Development Economics, Sebastian Vollmer has been awarded Lower Saxony’s Wissenschaftspreis 2025. The panel recognised his achievements in the category Anwendungsorientierte Forschung (applied research). Lower Saxony's Minister for Science and Culture, Falko Mohrs, presented the prizes on Thursday 13 November 2025 in Hannover. The award is worth 25,000 euros.
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Research with worldwide influence
This year's list of "Highly Cited Researchers" includes four scientists from the University of Göttingen: the biologist Professor Ivo Feußner, the agricultural scientist Professor Stefan Siebert and the agroecologist Professor Teja Tscharntke are among the most frequently cited scientists in their fields worldwide. In addition, there is forestry scientist Professor Henrik Hartmann, who holds a joint professorship at the Julius Kühn Institute and the University of Göttingen.
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