Research Needs Friends
Therefore, the “Freunde der Universität Mannheim” association promotes top-level research with societal relevance. Read more about a selection of research projects that were supported by our members here.
Researchers’ meeting
Retreat conference of the DFG research unit “Grammatiken im Wandel”
With the support of “Freunde der Universität Mannheim”, the DFG research unit held a conference on “Grammatiken im Wandel” (Transformation of grammars”), at the University of Mannheim in April 2019. It was led by professor Tracey. Renowned linguists from Mannheim, Frankfurt, the USA and Canada gave lectures on a range of interesting topics and held workshops on code switching and computer-based analysis of corpora.
DGPuK annual conference
The 63rd annual conference of the DGPuK took place between 9 and 11 May 2018 at the University of Mannheim, with the theme “Self-determination in the digital world”. The German Communication Association (DGPuK) discussed how the conditions, forms and consequences of individual and collective self-determination change when society and the lives of individuals are permeated by digital media. Questions such as “What happens when individuals gain new expertise through digital media?” or “What does it mean for society when like-minded people connect online or argue with dissenters?” were the focus of this highly topical symposium supported by “Freunde der Universität Mannheim”.
Hermann Weber research colloquium
The Hermann Weber research colloquium with the theme “Democracy and dictatorship in divided Germany” took place in March 2016. It was supported by “Freunde der Universität Mannheim” and the Federal Foundation for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Eastern Germany. In accordance with Hermann Weber's research, this joint project of the chair of Contemporary History at the University of Mannheim and the Sozialdemokratischer Bildungsverein Mannheim/
Ludwigshafen e.V. devoted a weekend to the relationship between political science and contemporary history, the history of inner-German relations and GDR research. Prof. Klaus Schönhovens, for example, gave the lecture “Is there an all-German past?” at the colloquium, which was published in the Deutschland Archiv of the Federal Agency for Civic Education in Germany. Annual conference of the Europearn Economic Association (EEA)
In August 2015, European economists met in Mannheim for the annual conference of the European Economic Association (EEA). Among them was Jean Tirole, Nobel laureate and recipient of the honorary doctorate at the University of Mannheim.
The “Freunde der Universität Mannheim” association helped to finance the conference, which brought well over a thousand participants to the University of Mannheim. According to the industrial economist from Mannheim and chair of the conference committee Prof. Dr. Volker, the lectures and discussions covered a wide range of topics from the field of Economics. Jean Tirole, for example, gave a lecture on market power and market regulation, which he had already delivered the year before at the awarding of the Nobel Prize in economics in Stockholm. The Princeton professor Eric Maskin, who is also a Nobel laureate in economics, led a discussion about Tirole’s research. Other speakers were Stanford economist Ilya Segal and Cambridge economist Giancarlo Corsetti, among others. Segal is one of the world’s leading economic theorists whose research includes the optimal design of markets. Corsetti’s research focuses on current issues such as debt and financial crises.
“In my opinion, educating young people and researching future topics, such as digitalization or corporate social responsibility, are two of the most important pillars of our society. As a member of “Freunde der Universität Mannheim” I promote the university's activities in teaching and research, thereby supporting both students and academics.”
Thomas Wiggert, Head of Commercial Division Mobility Region Süd, Siemens AG
/ Photo credit: Peter Lehnert
