Between change and stability

Today (27 June) is »Schiller Day«. With this annual day of celebration, Friedrich Schiller University Jena commemorates the inaugural lecture of its namesake and former professor in 1789. Traditionally, the best young academics of the past twelve months are honoured on »Schiller Day«. University President Prof. Dr Andreas Marx welcomed the doctoral candidates at the beginning of today’s ceremony and referred to the great challenges they face: intense competition, tight budgets, balancing research, family and social responsibility. »As recent doctoral graduates, you bear a special responsibility. You are our hope and our trust in the future of science.«

In her keynote speech »The Art of Balance—Insights from the Microverse«, keynote speaker Prof. Dr Kirsten Küsel invited those present on a mental journey between the micro and macro worlds. Starting from Schiller’s idea of balance as a human ideal, she drew a line to the »Microverse«—the fascinating universe of microorganisms. »For billions of years, they have been shaping life on our planet through complex interactions and amazing resilience,« said the spokesperson for the Cluster of Excellence »Balance of the Microverse«. »Their strategies of balance and coexistence can also be an inspiration for us: for scientific work, for social coexistence and, last but not least, for our own path between change and stability.«

Afterwards, those present from the total of 567 doctoral graduates who successfully completed their doctorates at the University of Jena in the past academic year were presented with their certificates. The best early career researchers then took centre stage.

Rowena Morse Prize

The Rowena Morse Prize for advanced young scientists was awarded to PD Dr habil. Stephanie Lippmann. The prize, which is funded by the Society of Friends and Patrons of the University, is endowed with 5,000 euros. Stephanie Lippmann was honoured for her habilitation thesis, which she submitted to the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy in 2024 and in which she deals with novel methods for characterizing metallic materials. This work »makes it possible for the first time to characterize materials whose composition could not previously be comprehensively investigated due to the very limited experimental access«, according to the commendation.