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Bielefeld professors honored: prizes for research and commitment!
Bielefeld University celebrates successes: awards for professors, new deans and important commissions for social issues.
Bielefeld professors honored: prizes for research and commitment!
On September 22, 2025, several important prizes for outstanding research and academic achievements were awarded in Kassel. Particularly highlighted was Professor Dr. Christian Kandler, who received the prestigious Franziska Baumgarten Prize for Established Scholars. This prize, worth 1,500 euros, recognizes doctoral students and academic experts for their remarkable contributions to personality psychology. Kandler has been Professor of Differential and Personality Psychology at Bielefeld University since April 2023 and has already made a name for himself in his field of research. The naming of the prize after the renowned psychologist and researcher Franziska Baumgarten-Tramèr, known for her work on war trauma and aptitude tests, highlights the importance of her contributions to psychology, which date back to the early 1900s.
Franziska Baumgarten-Tramèr, born in Łódź, Poland, in 1883, is recognized as a pioneer of psychological research. Her career began with studying literature and philosophy at the University of Krakow before switching to psychology. She became known, among other things, for her developments in professional psychology and her study of the effects of war on children.
Prize winners and new positions at Bielefeld University
In addition to Kandler, other outstanding scientists were also honored. Professor Dr. Harald Gröger received the IHK Sustainability Prize, worth 3,000 euros, for his research into bio-based and biodegradable lubricants. Gröger has held the professorship for industrial organic chemistry at Bielefeld University since 2011.
Another significant change took place in the field of historical science. Professor Dr. Antje Flüchter was elected chairwoman of the Association of Historians in Germany and is thus contributing to the further development of historical science at Bielefeld University. Flüchter has been a professor of general history since 2024.
With the latest appointments, Bielefeld University is underlining its commitment to excellent research and teaching. Professor Dr. Wolfgang Greiner will work in the newly founded “Health Finance Commission” to develop measures to stabilize contribution rates in statutory health insurance. Greiner has been teaching health economics since 2005 and brings valuable experience to this commission.
Further academic achievements and awards
Additionally, Professor Dr. Markus Artz appointed to an expert group on tenancy law reform, which is intended to review and harmonize existing regulations. Artz has been a professor of civil law at Bielefeld University since 2009. Also Professor Dr. Johannes Hellermann was appointed to a commission of experts that will focus on modernizing the debt rule of the Basic Law.
Special praise also goes to junior professor Dr. Benjamin Paaßen, who was honored as a Junior Fellow of the Society for Computer Science. Paaßen teaches knowledge representation and machine learning at Bielefeld University. In addition, Dr. Lara Lesch received the doctoral award from the German Association for Sports Science for her valuable work on women in leadership positions in sport and has been working as a postdoc in the field of sport and society since June 2024.
Changes also took place in the Faculty of Biology and the Faculty of Education: Professor Dr. Andrea Braut and Professor Dr. Barbara Thiessen were elected deans. Professor Dr. Gernot Akemann will head the Faculty of Physics in the future.