Based on a media release of Die Junge Akademie
Ten teams from various scientific and academic disciplines have been selected to receive the “Best Research Environment 2024” award – and one of them is the Experimental Interaction Ecology group at the German Centre for Integative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and Leipzig University.
This year, Die Junge Akademie and the Volkswagen Foundation are awarding the prize for the first time. It honours the importance of a good research environment in academic and scientific performance, and the effort required to actively shape inspiring, supportive, and fair working conditions. The contribution made by each and every researcher counts when it comes to scientific and academic progress.
In March, the jury selected 24 teams from almost 300 applicants for the shortlist. On 7 June 2025, ten of these were selected by random draw to receive the award, each accompanied by a prize of 10,000 euros. This process emphasises that it is not a question of ranking. All the shortlisted teams are equally worthy winners.
“The shortlisted teams impressively show the many different ways in which research environments can be positively shaped. Such environments offer orientation, support, inspiration, and development opportunities,” says Dr Gisela Kopp, Alumna of Die Junge Akademie and initiator of the award.
“A good research environment is the invisible foundation for scientific success. It not only offers space for creativity and cooperation, but also the necessary support and recognition that researchers need to develop their full potential,” emphasises Dr Antje Tepperwien, Head of the “Understanding Research” profile area in the Volkswagen Foundation’s funding department.
Zarah Janda, Rike Schwarz, and Henriette Christel, doctoral researchers at iDiv and Leipzig University, submitted the application on behalf of the research group: “The Experimental Interaction Ecology group at iDiv provides an inspiring research environment that fosters science, personal growth, and community. Weekly seminars, social activities, and intercultural exchange strengthen cohesion beyond students, PhDs, and PostDocs. This includes openly sharing successes and failures while continuously improving our work environment through workshops. Supportive interactions are our natural habitat!“
Further information
Press release of Die Junge Akademie
Contact persons
Zarah Janda
PhD Researcher “Experimental Interaction Ecology”
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Leipzig University
Email: zarah.janda@idiv.de
Phone: +49 341 9733172
Rike Schwarz
PhD Researcher “Experimental Interaction Ecology”
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Leipzig University
Email: rike.schwarz@idiv.de
Phone: +49 341 9733122
Henriette Christel
PhD Researcher “Experimental Interaction Ecology”
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Leipzig University
Email: henriette.christel@idiv.de
Phone: +49 341 9733116