uni.news

» Published on 23. Oktober 2017

Easing refugees’ trauma with psychotherapy

Psychologist at Bielefeld University presents successful treatment method

They are suffering from nightmares, flashbacks, depression, or anxiety disorders: refugees coming to Germany from conflict areas are frequently traumatized. ‘Realistic estimates state that up to 40 per cent of refugees have mental problems. Hence, for the period since 2015, we are talking about several hundred thousand people who are in real need of psychological support,’ says Professor Dr. Frank Neuner from Bielefeld University. The psychologist is one of the team responsible for developing ‘Narrative Exposure Therapy’ (NET]. It has been applied over the last 15 years in conflict zones from East Africa to Sri Lanka. What is special about this therapy is that it shows success after only a few sessions. In a new ‘research_tv’ programme at Bielefeld University, Frank Neuner talks about NET and explains the consequences of leaving refugees without treatment.

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» Published on 19. Oktober 2017

Taming uncertainties, profiting from randomness

Opening ceremony of the Collaborative Research Centre at Bielefeld University

Uncertainty, chaos, and randomness are ubiquitous in modern societies. In recent decades, probability theory has made major advances in understanding randomness. This has been of great use in biology and physics and has led to new applications in financial markets. Nonetheless, as shown specifically by developments on the financial markets, there are uncertainties that mathematics has yet to grasp exactly, and these can result in great turmoil. Taming this uncertainty, but also gaining a better understanding of randomness in economics, physics, and biology, is the topic of a Collaborative Research Centre that was approved by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in May this year. On the 25th of October, the CRC will be celebrating its kick off with international guests.

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» Published on 16. Oktober 2017

From Avatar Assistants, to Robots as Therapy Aides

“Human Agent Interaction” Conference held in Bielefeld with 150 researchers

Alexa, Siri, Cortana, and the Google Assistant are all examples of agents – artificial systems capable of autonomous behavior. Humanoid robots and avatars also belong to these types of agents. Human interact with these agents as if they had their own needs and intentions. The international “Human Agent Interaction” (HAI) conference brings together researchers from cognitive robotics and artificial intelligence, as well as cognitive science and neuroscience to discuss research on agents. After having been held in Japan (2013 and 2014), South Korea (2015) and Singapore (2016), the conference is now being held in Europe for the first time, from 17–19 October. 150 researchers from 12 countries will attend the conference at Bielefeld University’s Cluster of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC).

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» Published on 10. Oktober 2017

Excellent ratings for Erasmus+ at Bielefeld University

Evaluation by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Successful introduction of seven dual degree courses with partner universities in Europe, excellent promotion of young academics, and exemplary financial management – the German Academic Exchange Service’s (DAAD) evaluation of the Erasmus+ Programme from 2015 to 2017 has awarded Bielefeld University 97 out of a possible total of 100 points. As a result, the Bielefeld implementation of Erasmus+ will serve as a future example of best practice in Germany for both the European Union and European partners.

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» Published on 5. Oktober 2017

What do we actually do when we compare?

Kickoff conference of the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) ‘Practices of Comparing’

People compare their skills with those of others, companies compare their financial performance, countries compare their gross domestic – comparing is being done everywhere. Nonetheless, research has yet to analyse what it means when comparing is used to order and understand the world. The Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) ‘Practices of Comparing. Ordering and Changing the World’ at Bielefeld University has been taking an interdisciplinary approach to this issue since the beginning of the year. From the 5th to the 7th of October, it is holding its kickoff conference with international guests.

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» Published on 29. September 2017

‘Networked research and an innovative range of study courses’

Interview with Rektor Professor Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Sagerer on the founding of the Faculty of Medicine

Where will the new building go? How many study places will there be? What is the time plan? The Rektor answers questions on the current state of planning.

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» Published on 22. September 2017

Dancing electrons lose the race

Bielefeld physicists publish in the research journal ‘Science’

Atoms emit electrons when a material is irradiated with light at a sufficiently high frequency. Previously, physics had assumed that the motion of these photoelectrons is determined by the properties of the material. In a new study, physicists at Bielefeld University have shown that it is the interplay of the electrons within the atom that is decisive. ‘Dancing’ electrons orbit the nucleus of the atom and require more time than other electrons that shoot out in straight lines. The Bielefeld researchers are the first in the world to confirm the existence of this delay mechanism  in a solid. The study has been published this Friday (22.09.17) in the scientific journal ‘Science’.

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» Published on 14. September 2017

Filtering molecules from the water or air with nanomembranes

Bielefeld physicists producing and carrying out research on extra-thin foils

Free-standing  carbon membranes that are a millionth of a millimetre thin: these are a special research field of Professor Dr. Armin Gölzhäuser from Bielefeld University and his research group. The nanomembranes can serve as ultrafine filters and as a protective layer. The Bielefeld physicists have registered several patents for manufacturing such molecular foils. In their research, they are analysing which properties the nanomembranes possess – as a basis for future applications. In a new film produced by Bielefeld University’s ‘research_tv’, Armin Gölzhäuser explains what makes the membranes such multi-talents and assesses how significant they may become for the purification of water.  

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» Published on 13. September 2017

Bielefeld University signs the Magna Charta Universitatum

Vice-Rector Angelika Epple: ‘a logical step’

At the end of August, Angelika Epple, Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Diversity, signed the Magna Charta Universitatum on behalf of Bielefeld University during a festive ceremony in the Hungarian city of Pécs. The Magna Charta is a manifesto. By signing it, an institution agrees to abide by fundamental principles such as academic freedom and institutional autonomy. This year, eleven universities have signed; up to now, more than 800 universities have signed worldwide.

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» Published on 12. September 2017

New honours at Bielefeld University

To be awarded to Kohse-Höinghaus, Goldbeck, Soufi, and Hoyer

Four individuals who have rendered outstanding services to Bielefeld University are to be honoured at the 2017 Annual Reception on the 29th of September. The University is introducing two new honorary categories: the Badge of Honour and the Medal of Honour. These join the existing Honorary Senators and Honorary Citizens of the University. ‘Up to now, we have exclusively honoured the founder generation. Now, however, we are getting ever closer to the 50th anniversary of the University in 2019, and we realize that it is time to honour a new generation of individuals who have been rendering outstanding services to the University for many years,’ explains the Rektor, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Sagerer, who is proposing to honour these individuals together with Dr. Matthias Buschmeier, the Deputy Head of the Senate.

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