The Brandenburg scientific community is sending a joint signal for the freedom, independence, and resilience of science. In their statement “Free Science Strengthens Brandenburg,” universities, non-university research institutions, and other science-related actors emphasize their societal responsibility and affirm their commitment to a free democratic order. Prof. Dr. Susanne Buiter, Scientific Executive Board Member of the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, is among the co-authors and first signatories. She is Second Chair of the Board of Trustees of the association proWissen Potsdam.

The joint declaration was initiated by proWissen Potsdam and emerged following the event held by the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg (MWFK) on the resilience of science in July 2026. It underscores the central importance of scientific institutions for the development of Brandenburg and calls for reliable framework conditions that safeguard scientific independence and capacity for action even in times of crisis.

The joint statement in full:

Free Science Strengthens Brandenburg

Science in Brandenburg stands for societal responsibility. This includes not only research and the training of students, but also the transfer of knowledge into society, into business, politics, and culture. The universities, the non-university research institutions, and other science-related actors jointly make essential contributions to the development of Brandenburg. The impressive success story of the state over the past decade would hardly be conceivable without the strength of its scientific institutions.

Science thrives on transparency and the willingness to accept criticism. A core element of scientific work is the constant scrutiny and correction of one's own findings. It is precisely this way of working that makes science capable of high performance, but also vulnerable – especially when political interference, disinformation, economic dependencies, or targeted attacks on individuals and institutions increase.

This is exactly why science needs reliable framework conditions that protect its independence and safeguard its capacity for action. This includes support structures for employees and researchers, digital and organizational security, as well as a stable infrastructure. Clear procedures for crisis situations are also necessary, along with a public culture that does not delegitimize scientific work but rather strengthens and recognizes it.

The leadership of Brandenburg's universities and research institutions see themselves as pillars of the free democratic order. They stand in solidarity, side by side, when the freedom of science enshrined in the Basic Law is attacked. This expressly also includes the implementation of diversity, equal opportunity, and gender equality.

The State of Brandenburg, its universities and non-university research institutions, the funding bodies, and the science policy partners are working together to secure their resilience. The goal must be that science can continue to work freely, courageously, openly, and responsibly even under pressure. Only in this way can it serve the common good in the long term and sustainably. This is the standard by which the signatories wish to be measured.

First signatories:

• Aubel, Noosha – Chair of the Executive Board of proWissen
• Aust, Roland – Chancellor of the Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
• Barsuhn, Prof. Dr. Michael – President of the ESAB University of Applied Sciences for Sports and Management Potsdam (FHSMP)
• Barth, Prof. Dr. Matthias – President – Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development
• Behrens, Ulrike – Board of Trustees member (for DESY Zeuthen) proWissen
• Brämick, Dr. Uwe – Scientific Director and Chairman of the Executive Board, Institute of Inland Fisheries e.V. Potsdam-Sacrow
• Bodensiek, Kirstin – Administrative Executive Board Member, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association
• Buiter, Prof. Dr. Susanne – Scientific Executive Board Member, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences (proWissen Board of Trustees)
• Conrad, Dr. Franziska – UP Transfer GmbH (proWissen Board of Trustees)
• Diekmann, Prof. Dr. Bernhard – Head of the Alfred Wegener Institute site in Potsdam (proWissen Executive Board)
• Doepner, Mareike – Board of Trustees member (for the State Capital Potsdam) proWissen
• Dziewas, Prof. Dr. Ralf – Vice-Rector of the Theological University of Elstal
• Engel, Dr. Silke – Spokesperson of the University of Potsdam (proWissen Board of Trustees)
• Esser, Prof. Dr. Günter – Director of the Academy for Psychotherapy and Intervention Research at the University of Potsdam
• Fraenkel, Prof. Dr. Carlos – Director of the Einstein Forum
• Fratzl, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Peter – Director, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam-Golm
• Franzen, Nico – Managing Director of ProPotsdam Naturerlebnis GmbH
• Friederich, Götz Th. – Attorney at Law, LL.M. (Univ. Edinb.)
• Friedrich, Prof. Dr. Tobias – Dean and Managing Director, Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering gGmbH (HPI)
• Fuchs, Prof. Dr. Doris – Scientific Director, Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) | at GFZ
• Fürst, Dr. Michael – Director, Filmmuseum Potsdam
• Grande, Prof. Dr. Gesine – President of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU)
• Günther, Prof. Oliver – PhD – President of the University of Potsdam (proWissen Executive Board)
• Grune, Prof. Tilman – Scientific Director, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke
• Glauert, Prof. Dr. Mario – Director, Brandenburg State Archives
• Hadlich, Wolfgang – Managing Director of UP Transfer GmbH (proWissen Executive Board)
• Hörstrup, Dr. Bettina – Administrative Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research e.V. (PIK)
• Ihle, Wolfgang – Managing Director of the Academy for Psychotherapy and Intervention Research at the University of Potsdam
• Jakobs, Jann – Honorary Chairman of proWissen
• Janz, Prof. Dr. Norbert – MR LRH Brandenburg / apl. Professor at the University of Potsdam
• Kahmen, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard – Scientific Director, IHP – Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics
• Köhler, Prof. Dr. Claudia – Managing Director, MPI MP
• Köhler, Holger – Chairman, Working Group of Independent Schools in the State of Brandenburg e.V. (AGFS)
• Leinkauf, Dr. Simone – Managing Director of proWissen
• Leinkauf, Prof. Dr. em. – Thomas, University of Münster, (Florence-Berlin)
• Matuschka, Agnes von – Managing Director of Standortmanagement Golm GmbH (proWissen Board of Trustees)
• Melzer, Katja – Managing Director of the Brandenburg Society for Culture and History gGmbH
• Metzler, Prof. Dr. Gabriele – Director, Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History
• Mühle, Prof. Dr. Eduard – President of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)
• Ordon, Prof. Dr. Frank – Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants
• Perscheid, Dr. Michael – VP Applied Research & Site Representative, SAP Innovation Center Potsdam
• Pulvermacher, Vicky – Board of Trustees member (for the Chamber of Industry and Commerce/IHK) proWissen Potsdam e.V.
• Randig, Markus – Deputy Administrative Director, Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ)
• Reiff-Stephan, Prof. Hon.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg – Director of "net4ai" & Research Group Leader iC3@SmartProduction, TH Wildau
• Rockström, Prof. Dr. Johan – Scientific Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research e.V. (PIK)
• Rosenbach, Wolfram – Administrative Executive Board Member, Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)
• Rürup, Prof. Dr. Miriam – Director, Moses Mendelssohn Center for European-Jewish Studies in Potsdam
• Schröder-Smeibidl, Dr. Birgit – Administrative Executive Board Member, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke
• Schmitt-Rodermund, Prof. Dr. Eva – President of the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (proWissen Board of Trustees)
• Schultz, Maria – Director, Lindenstraße Memorial Foundation in Potsdam
• Simon, Prof. Dr. Hans-Uwe – President of the Brandenburg Medical School (MHB)
• Seeberger, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.h. Peter H. – Managing Director, MPI KGF
• Seifert, Dirk – Managing Director, Working Group of Independent Schools in the State of Brandenburg e.V. (AGFS)
• Steinmetz, Prof. Matthias – Scientific Director, Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)
• Steller, Dr. Thomas – Director, Potsdam Museum – Forum for Art and History
• Stitt, Prof. em. Dr. Dr. h. c. Mark – proWissen Board of Trustees member (for MPI MP)
• Sturm, Prof. Dr. Barbara – Scientific Director, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy e.V. (ATB)
• Stürmer, Prof. Dr. Susanne – President of the Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
• Trilcke, Prof. Dr. Peer – Head of the Theodor Fontane Archive | University of Potsdam
• Tippe, Prof. Dr. Ulrike – President, Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
• Van Dam, Prof. Dr. Nicole – Scientific Director, Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ)
• Vorpahl, Dr. Daniel – New Potsdam Edict of Tolerance e.V.
• Vogel, OKR Martin – State Representative of the EKBO
• Vogtherr, Prof. Dr. Christoph Martin – Director General, Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg
• Weiß, Christopher – Managing Partner, Glockenweiß GmbH
• Wetzel, Daniel – Agentur Medienlabor
• Wilms, Prof. Dr. Andreas – President of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg
• Woithe, Hendrik – Chancellor of the University of Potsdam
• Zabel, Thomas – Managing Director of Kongresshotel Potsdam
• Zielinski, Prof. Dr. Oliver – Scientific Managing Director, Helmholtz Centre Hereon

All information: Statement of the scientific community

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