Members of "Tri-Sustaine" during their first workshop in Tanzania — © Norbert Arnold

04.12.2017 in Science, Research, International News

Project on medicinal plants in Africa: first workshop in Tanzania

Approximately 80 per cent of African residents seek out traditional medical professionals in case of illnesses. The healers often use medicinal plants that they have collected for treatment. Evaluating the pharmaceutical potential of those plants is the main objective of the international research project “Tri-Susain”, led by Martin Luther University. The first workshop of the project took place in November in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Dr Lucie Moeller from the University of Halle reports about the event. Read more

12.10.2017 in Science, Context

Positive psychology

Anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders are major themes of traditional psychology. Happiness and playfulness are seldom discussed. Positive psychology, which has gained a lot of attention in recent years, looks at precisely these aspects. Psychologist Dr René Proyer explains why. Read more

IPBES develops first global biodiversity assessment. — © Chinnapong/Fotolia

10.10.2017 in Science, Research, Knowledge Transfer

World biodiversity council: Researchers from Central Germany actively involved

Every year, many animal and plant species all over the world become extinct. As yet, we know very little about the exact extent, the reasons for this and the consequences for the ecosystems, humankind and the world. Within the scope of the world biodiversity council IPBES, researchers from all over the world are working on a first global assessment and solutions for stopping this biodiversity loss. Many researchers of Martin Luther University are actively involved with this international platform. Read more

Courtyard of the former Leucorea University in Wittenberg — © Manuela Bank-Zillmann

23.03.2017 in Science, Research

Luther’s Leucorea: Research in Wittenberg

Where Martin Luther once taught in Wittenberg, researchers today are working together on an interdisciplinary basis to study the history and effects of the Reformation. Two research projects, funded by the State of Saxony-Anhalt, are examining these topics at the Leucorea Foundation at the University of Halle. Read more

23.03.2017 in Science

How does Luther impact you and your research?

The Reformation has had an impact on many disciplines. What do members of the University of Halle think of Luther’s action? Eight personal views. Read more

It’s hard to escape the reformer’s face during the 2017 jubilee year. — © behnelux gestaltung, unter Verwendung von Wikimedia Commons, User: Fa, Botaurus,CranachCCCP, Trzęsacz

23.03.2017 in Science

What remains

There’s a Martin Luther Playmobile figure and a Martin Luther noodle. It’s hard to escape the reformer’s face during the 2017 jubilee year. But what does the Reformation have to do with the present day? A lot, say researchers from many disciplines at the University of Halle. Because the Reformation’s legacy extends far beyond that of theology. Read more

Burkhard Schnepel erforscht das Gebiet des Indischen Ozeans. — © Michael Deutsch

14.03.2017 in Research, Science

Indian Ocean Studies: ideas that travel

Globalisation isn’t new. It effectively started in the 16th century. Back then, sailors navigated the Indian Ocean and the world’s other seas. This was accompanied by active trading: traders brought with them goods, languages and ideas. All of these influences are examined today as part of the study programme “Indian Ocean Studies” and represent some of the aspects social anthropologist Professor Burkhard Schnepel is investigating. He has created a unique network in Halle in partnership with the Max Plank Institute for Social Anthropology. Read more

Many bacteria that live in and on the human body have yet to be identified. — © Colourbox.com

08.03.2017 in Science, Context

Context: The Microbiome

Every human being shares his or her body with a countless number of tiny organisms, for example, bacteria. Up until a few years ago their significance was unrecognised. Today we know that bacteria can significantly impact a person’s health and even their behaviour. Gary Sawers, a professor of microbiology, explains why. Read more

Manja Hussner, Christian Tietje and prorector Elchin A. Khalafov of the Baku State University — © privat

02.01.2017 in Research, Science

New cooperation project between the University of Halle and Azerbaijan

How does a country successfully navigate the transition from a planned economy to a global market economy? What does such a profound transformation mean for the country’s legal system? A new research unit at the Institute of Business Law and Economic Law at the University of Halle will be working on these questions starting in 2017. The Volkswagen Foundation is providing 560,000 euros in support of the project on the legal transformation in Azerbaijan, which also aims to modernise teaching and research activities in the country. Read more