Science

Initial Spark: lecture series with Nobel Prize laureates

As part of the Initial Spark series, renowned scientists from all over the world, including several Nobel Prize laureates, are invited to TU Dortmund University.

Europe

Germany

Dortmund

Funding period: 2019-2025

In 2019, to mark its 50^th anniversary, TU Dortmund University launched the Initial Spark lecture series, which is open to the general public and invites renowned researchers to the Audimax to talk about their work. After the lecture, participants have an opportunity to speak to the researchers in person at the subsequent reception.

The lecture series is supported financially by the Wilo-Foundation. The following high-ranking scientists have been invited to TU Dortmund University so far:

05/2019: Professor Frances Arnold, Nobel Prize laureate, California Institute of Technology: “Innovation by Evolution: Expanding the Protein Universe”
04/2022: Professor Erwin Neher, Nobel Prize laureate, Director Emeritus at Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen: “Ion Channels: Their Discovery and their Role in Pharmacology and Biomedicine”
02/2023: Professor Benjamin List, Nobel Prize laureate, Director of the Homogeneous Catalysis Department at the Max-Planck Institut für Kohlenforschung (Max Planck Institute for Coal Research) in Mülheim an der Ruhr: “Catalysis for a Better World"
11/2023: Professor Reinhard Genzel, Nobel Prize laureate, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) in Garching: “Galaxies and Black Holes (a forty year journey)”
06/2024: Dr. Irina Scherbakova, Co-Founder of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights organization "Memorial": “Memorial – 35 Years of Struggle for Remembrance”
02/2025: Prof. Dr. Klaus von Klitzing, Nobel Laureate, Emeritus Director of the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart: “From the Nobel Prize to Our New Kilogram – The Quantum Revolution in Metrology”
11/2025: Prof. Stefan W. Hell, Nobel Laureate, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences in Göttingen and at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg: “How to Overcome an Apparent Scientific Boundary... and What Can Be Made of It”

TU Dortmund Audimax - Prof. Dr. Erwin Neher — Prof. Dr. Erwin Neher. Photo: TU Dortmund University, Credit: Roland Baege

TU Dortmund Audimax, Prof. Frances Arnold — Prof. Frances Arnold. Photo: TU Dortmund University, Credit: Roland Baege

TU Dortmund Audimax - Prof. Dr. Benjamin List — Prof. Dr. List. Photo: TU Dortmund University, Credit: Roland Baege

Background:

The Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite and founder of the Nobel Prize, experimented with explosives in mining in the 1860s, including in Dortmund-Dorstfeld at the Dorstfeld colliery. In order to be able to detonate nitroglycerine more safely, he developed the so-called initial ignition in 1863. In reference to this experimental phase of Nobel's work in Dortmund, the series is entitled “Initialzündung” (“initial spark” in English).

Photo Header: TU Dortmund University, Credit: Roland Baege

Our funding partner

Since its founding more than 55 years ago (1968), TU Dortmund University has developed a highly diverse profile, encompassing 17 faculties ranging from science and engineering to social sciences and culture studies. The university has more than 32,400 students and 6,600 employees, including 325 professors. It offers 80 degree programmes in traditional and innovative subjects, including some unique programmes such as science journalism or spatial planning, and a broad range of programmes for future teachers of all school types.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forms the global framework for action for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. Our funding commitment also supports these sustainability goals. With this project, we are making a contribution to achieving the following SDGs:

What are the SDGs?