19 new members admitted to the Saxon Academy of Sciences in Leipzig

During the public spring session, 19 scientists were admitted to the Saxon Academy of Sciences in Leipzig.

Bilal OZUNAL

General Coordinator

20.04.2026 - 06:47 Created at

20.04.2026 - 07:07 Updated at

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19 new members admitted to the Saxon Academy of Sciences in Leipzig

During the public spring session, 19 scientists were admitted to the Saxon Academy of Sciences in Leipzig.

Press release from the Saxon Academy of Sciences in Leipzig:

During the public spring session, 19 scientists were admitted to the Saxon Academy of Sciences in Leipzig. In the ceremonial hall of the Old Town Hall in Leipzig, the Friedrich Weller Prize and the Wilhelm Ostwald Medal were awarded on April 10, 2026. Greetings were offered by the three ministries of science in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, and the keynote address was given by academy member Sanaz Mostaghim on the topic: "The Science of Decision-Making: Artificial Intelligence for a Better Life for All."

The opening remarks by Academy President Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Knölker and the welcoming addresses already contained compelling words in defense of academic freedom. The speakers included Prof. Dr. Heike Graßmann, State Secretary in the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism; Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann, Minister for Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment of the State of Saxony-Anhalt; and Prof. Dr. Steffen Teichert, State Secretary for Science and Culture in the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of the Free State of Thüringen. All three emphasized the high regard for the scientific work carried out at the Academy and for the transfer of scientific findings to the public.

According to a report by Vice President Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Huschner, several prizes were awarded. Prof. Dr. Frank Glorius and Prof. Dr. Helma Wennemers received the Wilhelm Ostwald Medal of the Academy. Prof. Dr. Jean-Marie Verpoorten and Dr. Aruna Gamage were awarded the Friedrich Weller Prize, which is jointly awarded by the Academy and the University of Leipzig.

Nineteen renowned scientists (see to link) were admitted to the Academy before the keynote address by Academy member Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sanaz Mostaghim on decision-making algorithms concluded the public spring meeting.

Further information at:

saw-leipzig.de/de/aktuelles/nachrichten/rueckblick-fruehjahrssitzung-2026