Junior Professor Philipp Rothemund becomes spokesperson of Die Junge Akademie

Die Junge Akademie was established in 2000 as the world’s first academy for outstanding young scientists. Its members come from all scientific disciplines as well as from the arts. They continually explore the potential and limits of interdisciplinary work, aim to connect science and society, and seek to invigorate the science policy debate.

The new Board of Die Junge Akademie has been in office since June 8, 2025. The term of office is one year. Philipp Rothemund, Junior Professor at the Institute for Adaptive Mechanical Systems at the University of Stuttgart, is the new spokesperson for Die Junge Akademie. He succeeds Julia Gurol-Haller, who is stepping down from the Board after one year as spokesperson. The transfer of office took place on June 7, 2025 as part of the annual festival of Die Junge Akademie, which also marked the 25th anniversary.

 “I am particularity delighted to be Chair of Die Junge Akademie in the anniversary year. This institute has enriched the German research landscape for 25 years now. Some focus points have even accompanied us since the founding. The current Board will also address questions regarding science policy, the topic of research freedom, and the question as to how science can influence society,” said Philipp Rothemund.

The Board is responsible for guiding the strategic and thematic direction of Die Junge Akademie. This is discussed in plenary sessions and implemented by members through various formats and projects. In addition to spokesperson Rothemund, the Board also includes four other members: Helen Ahner, cultural scientist at the University of Vienna, Hani Harb, infection immunologist at the Technical University of Dresden, architect Benedikt Hartl (Opposite Office), and Hanna Pfeifer, political scientist at the University of Hamburg.

Philipp Rothemund has held a tenure track professorship at the University of Stuttgart since 2023. Rothemund heads the “Functional Soft Robotic Matter” research group at the University of Stuttgart. “Soft robotics” is a new class of robotic systems: In contrast to classic robotics, which relies on rigid structures, soft robotics uses soft, often bio-inspired materials and movement principles. This offers great potential, especially in areas in which flexibility and security are required. In medicine, for example, soft robotic systems could support people with disabilities by gently adapting to the body, assisting with movements, or facilitating everyday activities such as gripping or moving around. In industry, soft grippers could handle sensitive products such as fruit or electronic components. These examples reflect the wide range of potential applications. But before soft robotics can gain a foothold in the market, researchers still need to resolve several outstanding issues. “My group conducts research at the interface between mechanics, materials science, and robotics,” says Rothemund. “We are investigating the fundamental behavior of functional soft materials and developing new structures that passively adapt to changes in environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight by changing their shape.”

Die Junge Akademie
Die Junge Akademie was established in 2000 as the world’s first academy for outstanding young scientists. Die Junge Akademie is jointly supported by the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. The registered office is in Berlin.