On Thursday 4 June, a series of lectures entitled “Wanzen, Wahn und Wertewandel” (Bugs, madness and changing values) will begin, held by the newly appointed Open Topic Tenure Track Professors. As part of the Excellence Initiative and independently of existing Chairs, the nine scientists were chosen on account of their innovative subjects and their scientific potential. The lecture series seeks to demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches to finding solutions for the complex challenges of the 21st century.
 
The media scientist Lars Koch will give the first lecture on 4 June at 5 p.m. His topic is “Nach dem Menschen - Visionen des Posthumanen in aktuellen TV-Serien” (After humankind – visions of the post-human in current TV series). Here, current ideas about technological possibilities for the manipulation of human beings will be analysed. Daniel Balzani, Professor of Mechanics, will hold the second lecture on 30 June. He will speak on “Computersimulation atherosklerotischer Arterien - Neue Möglichkeiten in der medizinischen Diagnose und Therapeutik?” (Computer simulation of atherosclerotic arteries – new opportunities in medical diagnosis and therapeutics?). On 5 August, it is the turn of Klaus Reinhardt, Professor of Applied Zoology. His topic will be “Auf die Wanzen geschaut: aus dem Bett ins Labor” (Taking a look at bugs: from bed to lab).

The Open Topic Tenure Track Professorships (OTTP) constitute the most comprehensive measure within the Institutional Strategy of Technische Universität Dresden. Altogether, more than 1,300 applications were submitted for the professorships. More than 500 of these came from abroad, from all over the world. Subject to performance, the OTTP professorships will lead to permanent positions after five years.
 
The nine-part lecture series will run until the beginning of February 2016. All the events will take place at 5 p.m. in the large lecture theatre of the Sächsische Landesbibliothek – Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Dresden (SLUB, Saxon State and University Library). Admission is free.
 
Further information at www.tu-dresden.de/ottp or http://tu-dresden.de/veranstaltungen/termin/?id=TUD555311e882294

Information for journalists:
Kim-Astrid Magister, Tel.: 0351 463-32398

Birgit Holthaus, Tel.: 0351 463-35327