Press Releases
2026
May
5 May 2026
University of Mannheim Receives EUR 2 Million to Expand Collaborative Research
In a fundraising campaign launched in late 2025, the University of Mannheim has to date raised around EUR 2 million to strengthen collaborative research. Using these funds, the university is specifically expanding structures intended to bring researchers from different fields together and promote collaborative projects.
April
28 April 2026
GBP Monitor: War in the Middle East Weighs on German Companies – Hidden Reserves Dwindling, Tax Cuts Even More Important than Energy Cost Subsidies
The hidden reserves of German companies are noticeably shrinking. In February, around one in three companies was still able to build up reserves through profit-reducing accounting policies – since then, this share has halved. A key factor has been the escalation in the Middle East, which has further intensified economic pressures. Rising energy prices and disrupted supply chains are increasing cost pressures for companies. Almost 70 percent of the companies affected are responding with price increases, while 35 percent are planning cuts to fixed costs, particularly through layoffs. At the same time, expectations toward policymakers are rising: Companies identify substantial tax cuts as the most important structural reform – even ahead of energy cost subsidies. This is shown by a recent study by the German Business Panel.
24 April 2026
Prof. Dr. Alexandra Niessen-Ruenzi Appointed to the Scientific Advisory Board at the Federal Ministry of Finance
Since 13 April 2026, Prof. Dr. Alexandra Niessen-Ruenzi has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Board at the German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF). The appointment was made by Federal Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil, Member of the German Bundestag.
1 April 2026
Federal Ministry of the Interior Appoints Professor Irena Kogan to Expert Council on Integration and Migration
Since 1 April, the professor of Sociology and Societal Comparisons and former director of the Mannheim Centre for European Social Research (MZES) has been a member of the independent, interdisciplinary body that provides research-based policy advice.
March
31 March 2026
Harvard Researcher Seeks Refuge at the University of Mannheim
Researcher Eirliani Abdul Rahman, who holds a doctorate from Harvard University, transferred to the University of Mannheim in early March thanks to funding from the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung. The program for international academic freedom is supporting her with around EUR 1.8 million, enabling a six-year stay at the Mannheim Centre for European Social Research (MZES).
13 March 2026
New Psychotherapy Services in Mannheim – for Children, Adolescents, and Adults
In Mannheim, the waiting time for psychotherapy is between three and six months. Thanks to two new psychotherapeutic outpatient clinics founded at the University of Mannheim, anyone affected – adults as well as children and adolescents – can now profit from additional care services. The ceremonial opening of these outpatient clinics took place on Wednesday, 4 March.
3 March 2026
University of Mannheim Increases Number of Women Professors
In 2024, the University of Mannheim was granted EUR 712,000 for measures to promote equal opportunity and to partially fund three permanent W3 professorships as part of the competitive “Professorinnenprogramm 2030” (program for women professors 2030). Thanks to this decision, the university could appoint three additional women professors: German Studies expert Marie-Luis Merten, mathematician Simone Rademacher, and computer scientist Pooja Rani.
February
17 February 2026
Psychology Study: You can teach an old dog new tricks
Younger and older adults alike are able to adopt new socio-emotional behaviors. Even older adults benefit from a personality intervention aimed at handling stress and challenging social situations better. This is the conclusion of a psychological aging research study conducted by researchers from Germany and Switzerland led by Prof. Dr Cornelia Wrzus (Heidelberg University) and Prof. Dr Corina Aguilar-Raab (University of Mannheim).
17 February 2026
Professor Marcel Olbert Assumes the Chair of Taxation, Accounting, and Finance at the University of Mannheim
Since February 2026, Marcel Olbert has joined the Area Accounting and Taxation at Mannheim Business School as Professor of Taxation, Accounting, and Finance. By returning from London Business School to Mannheim, he is making a deliberate commitment to Germany as a research hub and is establishing a research center focused on the impact of economic policy on business decisions.
11 February 2026
University of Mannheim Officially Opens Center for Advanced Studies
With the Center for Advanced Studies (CAS), the University of Mannheim is further advancing its interdisciplinary collaborative research. The Center focuses on new research alliances, innovative topics, and networking among fellows from different schools.
January
28 January 2026
StudyCheck Award 2026: University of Mannheim Reaches First Place in the 5,000—15,000 Students Category
Based on student reviews on the StudyCheck online platform, the University of Mannheim has earned the distinction of “Top University”
26 January 2026
GBP Report January: Majority of Companies Welcome Easing of Sustainability Reporting Obligations – but See Further Need for Reform
The EU’s Omnibus Initiative, adopted to amend numerous ESG directives (Environment, Social, Governance) – in particular those on sustainability reporting and supply-chain obligations – has met with broad approval among companies in Germany.
22 January 2026
NAKO study confirms link between smoking and depression
A research group led by the Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH) in Mannheim has confirmed for the first time within the German National Cohort (NAKO) an association between cigarette consumption and depression.
22 January 2026
Times Higher Education Ranking by Subject 2026: University of Mannheim Ranked 33rd Worldwide in Business and Economics
Worldwide number 59 in Social Sciences, number 73 in Psychology
19 January 2026
Radicalism, Extremism, Fundamentalism: International Study Finds Numerous Commonalities—and Certain Differences
Extremist or fundamentalist attitudes threaten democracies and peaceful coexistence. For the first time, a large-scale, systematic, and cross-national study paints a comprehensive picture.
12 January 2026
Marc Debus Appointed Editor-in-Chief of the Leading Political Science Journal in German-Speaking Countries
The Mannheim scientist has been the Editor-in-Chief of the Politische Vierteljahresschrift/
Previous Press Releases