Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, founded in 1665, is facing the great challenges of our time such as climate change, use of the environment, health and social transformation processes with cutting-edge research. For this purpose, it concentrates on research in marine and geosciences, in applied life sciences and in the field of nanosciences and surface science. The interaction between human development and use of the environment is reflected in the research focus “Societal, Environmental and Cultural Change”. These are the research focuses of Kiel University – all four areas are competing at national and international level with excellence projects. The Kiel strategy makes it possible to undertake intensive research using new structures and targeted investment and to train the next generation to an excellent level.
Researchers and junior researchers network beyond the borders of the faculty and subject, cooperating with partners from external research institutes in the region and throughout the world. It is part of the inherent culture of Kiel University to fill the interdisciplinary approach with life. This is key to excellence because nowadays research progress in innovative fields is only possible by working in teams composed of members from different disciplines. If lawyers, economists, oceanographers, biologists, medical scientists, geochemists and many others carry out research into The Future Ocean, they do this in the spirit of associated scientific cultures: Kiel’s trade mark.
The research focuses of Kiel University are becoming even more functional and visible. Research focus areas and faculties coordinate their research and development activities. Excellent scientists are given the best working conditions. They will reflect on their research results and the consequences of the latter together in the future network for philosophy and ethics.
Wherever there is the need for innovative ideas and where thinking knows no limits, young researchers are the right choice. Kiel University offers them the ideal research environment where they are able to manage projects independently at an early stage and can set their own research agenda. The Graduate Centre at Kiel University guides them down their chosen path.
Studying with an overview, understanding what is happening in cutting-edge research and benefitting from the excellence on site! This is what students at Kiel University should experience throughout their courses. As a multi-disciplinary university, Kiel is building up special ranges of courses for every subject. It offers well-balanced support on the way to gaining a doctoral degree and assists the best students in every year in particular.
Knowledge has responsibility, knowledge must be communicated, knowledge must listen to society’s questions. This communication is to receive a completely new exemplary space in the floating Faculty Club on the Kieler Förde. Kiel University, Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts and Design, the city of Kiel and business are opening this unique space for discussions, exhibitions and lectures in the heart of the city. The Faculty Club will facilitate encounters of every kind between members of the universities, the city and business.
With four applications in its four research focus areas Kiel University is competing in order to receive funding from the Excellence Initiative of the German Government and the federal states. All four research focuses have cleared the first hurdle – three with successful projects in the first round of 2007 and an invitation for a full proposal in the field of material sciences. This proves that Kiel University it is capable of excellence in all its research focus areas. The excellence projects give Kiel University an opportunity to demonstrate its superb research capabilities and the orientation of our science in the direction of the relevant questions of our time – at national and global level. In July 2012 the decision as to the amount of funding from the Excellence Initiative to be allocated to the Kiel projects will be taken.