Welcome to the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

As a scholarly community and non-university research institution, the State Academy of Baden-Württemberg serves as a strong voice and a bridge for science within the state and beyond.

News from the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

News

Schwarzweiß-Foto von Thomas Hauschild. Er schaut den Betrachter freundlich an. Er trägt kurze, dunkle Haare, die nach hinten gekämmt sind und hat eine Brille auf.

The Academy

Die Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften trauert um Thomas Hauschild

* 16. Oktober 1955     † 04. Mai 2026  

Thomas Hauschild war im Fachgebiet Ethnologie zuletzt an der Universität Halle-Wittenberg tätig.

Collage der Übergabe des Landesforschungspreises durch Ministerin Olschowski. Daneben steht Präsident Kräusslich, der Vorsitzende des Auswahlausschusses.

News

Landesforschungspreis 2026: Preisverleihung am 11. Juni in Stuttgart

Am 11. Juni 2026 wurde der Landesforschungspreis von Ministerin Olschowski vergeben. Präsident Kräusslich sprach als Vorsitzender des Auswahlausschusses und hielt die Laudationes.

A portrait of Rohini Kuner. With her shoulder-length, dark brown hair, she smiles at the viewer and is wearing a red blouse with a white floral pattern.

The Academy

Rohini Kuner ReceivesPrize Medicine

Rohini Kuner has been awarded the 2026Prize Medicine for her groundbreaking work in the field of pain research. 

A full-face portrait of Klaus Fiedler, who is smiling at the viewer. He has short hair combed into a side part. He is wearing an open, colorful shirt with a black blazer over it.

The Academy

Die Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften trauert um Klaus Fiedler

* September 7, 1951 † May 12, 2026 

Prof. Dr. Klaus Fiedler war im Fachgebiet Sozialpsychologie zuletzt an der Universität Heidelberg tätig.

Beef collection handover

News

A unique treasure

On April 24, 2026, the historical materials—which are among the earliest surviving manuscript traditions in Nepal—were formally transferred to the Nepalese government through a jointly signed deed of donation at the Centre for Asian and Transcultural Studies (CATS). The Indologist Axel Michaels discovered and cataloged the materials and advocated for their return to Nepal.

Press: "A Unique Treasure," in RNZ, April 28, 2026

A person is shown from behind, working in a laboratory while wearing gloves.

Young Science

Impact on early brain development

It is well known that the antiepileptic drug valproate increases the risk of brain developmental disorders in unborn children. A study by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the University of Tübingen, and the University of Heidelberg, using laboratory-grown tissue models of the human brain, now provides new insights into how the drug affects early brain development—and thus opens up new avenues for research into risk minimization during pregnancy. Published in Molecular Psychiatry. (DOI: 10.1038/s41380-026-03585-5)

A collection of Neanderthal skeletal remains found in the Goyet Cave in Belgium; three of them are examined in this study.

Research

Late Neanderthals in Europe originated from a single population

A new study by the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research, the University of Tübingen, and the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities State Academy of Baden-Württemberg) highlights the enormous upheavals in the genetic history of Neanderthals.

Current Job Postings

Call for Entries: Academy Awards 2027

Call for Entries: Academy Awards 2027

Current research projects

Current research projects

Edition

Karl Jaspers Complete Edition (KJG)


In order to reveal and appreciate the broad context of Jaspers' thinking, as it emerges from his published works, his estate, and his numerous correspondences, a complete edition of his works is being compiled, which will make all relevant texts accessible in their context and available as a systematically interconnected whole.

Edition

Karl Jaspers Complete Edition (KJG)


In order to reveal and appreciate the broad context of Jaspers' thinking, as it emerges from his published works, his estate, and his numerous correspondences, a complete edition of his works is being compiled, which will make all relevant texts accessible in their context and available as a systematically interconnected whole.

Events and Dates

19.06.
2026

3:30 p.m.

event

Akademiepreise 2026
20.06.
2026

11:00 a.m.

event

Annual Celebration 2026
01.07.
2026

6:15 p.m.

lecture series

"Wir forschen. Für Sie." II: Brand name or no name? Strategies of an Attic pottery workshop at the end of the 6th century B.C.
08.07.
2026

6:15 p.m.

lecture series

"Wir forschen. Für Sie." III: Is it permissible for a Christian to go to war? A question that was already widely debated in the 16th century
22.07.
2026

6:15 p.m.

lecture series

"Wir forschen. Für Sie." IV: Understanding Machine Learning – A Physical Perspective
Athene Magazine 02-2025 Title
Athene Magazine 02-2025 Inside

Athene

The journal of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Founded in 1909, the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities the State Academy of Sciences of Baden-Württemberg. As a scholarly society and non-university research institution, it promotes interdisciplinary exchange through lectures, events, and interdisciplinary research projects led by both established and early-career researchers, among other initiatives.