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Farewells, a welcome and a prize draw

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People in conversation. Only their reflection in a pane of glass has been photographed. This makes the photograph appear blurred.
Photo: Die Junge Akademie/Bernd Brundert
06.07.26

There was a lot on the agenda on 27 June 2026: the summer plenary meeting, a welcome for new members, a farewell to those stepping down, and the prize draw for the "Best Research Environment 2026" competition.

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Traditionally, Die Junge Akademie’s programme features numerous events in late June or early July. This year, the programme kicked off on 26 June with the project “Proofing the Academy”. In the second of a total of three workshops, members of Die Junge Akademie discussed attacks on academic freedom together with international experts and stakeholders from politics, public administration, higher education and civil society.

The ten new members were able to gain an initial insight into the opportunities Die Junge Akademie offers its members on the afternoon of 26 June. At the event “Junge Akademie for Beginners”, the office presented key procedures, services and rules. This was followed by a discussion on the topic of resilience with Council member Anna-Lena Scholz, in which current members also took part.

27 June began with the summer plenary session. It was during this session that the ten new members were officially admitted. The agenda also included budgetary decisions, strategic priorities and presentations by members. Even the peak summer temperatures did little to dampen the focused and productive atmosphere – thanks to air conditioning and chilled drinks, the day went very smoothly.

In the evening, Die Junge Akademie's celebration took place on the banks of the Spree. To kick things off, the Chair of the Board ot Die Junge Akademie, Philipp Rothemund, welcomed the guests and introduced the evening’s programme. Christoph Markschies, President of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, then addressed those present with a welcoming speech. Afterwards, Philipp Rothemund handed over his role as Chair of the Board to Hanna Pfeifer. Together, they welcomed the new members. The members of the Board bid farewell to the outgoing members – a lovely moment to look back on their time together at Die Junge Akademie.

During the segment on the "Best Research Environment 2026" competition, the 15 shortlisted teams were first introduced. Victoria Abakumovski from the Volkswagen Foundation and Hani Harb (chair of the jury and member of the Board of Die Junge Akademie) then drew five teams at random, each of which received prize money of 10,000 euros.

A group dinner, plenty of opportunities for networking and stimulating conversations rounded off an intensive and summery day on a high note.

Photos: Die Junge Akademie/Bernd Brundert
A man in a suit is holding a microphone and gesticulating. Behind him is a brick wall.
The President of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities Christoph Markschies delivered a welcoming address.
A woman and a man are laughing. He is handing her an oblong object and is holding a microphone in his other hand. A brick wall can be seen in the background.
Philipp Rothemund handed over the role of Chair of the Board to Hanna Pfeifer.
Five people are sitting casually on light-coloured chairs.
The new Board, f.l.t.r.: Hani Harb, Lea Luka Sikau, Hanna Pfeifer, Maximilian Schäfer, Mira Sievers.
Group photo of nine adults in front of a brick wall
From left to right: Yuki M. Asano, Steffen Schneider, Jessica Szczuka, Franziska Meinherz, Eva Pfannerstill, Frederic R. Hopp, Weihan Li, Luke Dimitrios Spieker, Kristof Meding (not in the picture: Corinna Coupette)
People in conversation, with a brick bridge in the background
Im Vordergrund drei lachende Frauen, die auf hellen Stühlen sitzen. Eine von ihnen hält eine aufgeschlagene Mappe in der Hand. Im Hintergrund sind viele andere Menschen zu erkennen.
A team shortlisted in the "Best Research Environment 2026" competition.
A woman is holding a microphone and reading something from a piece of paper.
Victoria Abakumovski from the Volkswagen Foundation presented the shortlist.
A woman and a man are holding a piece of paper and smiling at each other. In the background and beside them, you can see people smiling.
The representatives of the fuel cell team at the ivb are delighted to have won an award in the "Best Research Environment" competition.
Twelve adults are standing in front of a brick wall, smiling at the camera.
Five teams were selected at random from the shortlist and each received prize money of 10,000 euros in the "Best Research Environment 2026" competition.
People dressed for summer are standing and sitting at tables under parasols. In the background, a body of water can be seen with buildings along its banks.
Six adults are standing together, chatting. One of them is holding a microphone.
The 2021 leavers’ ceremony also took place as part of the celebrations.

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