For two years, GIUB and the newly founded ‘AI Working Group’ have been looking into the use of artificial intelligence in research and teaching. Following the publication of a guide on using AI in teaching, AI Day took place at GIUB on 26 November 2025. In a lunch lecture and an evening discussion, the speakers addressed the use of AI to predict extreme events and the influence of AI tools on research and teaching in human geography. A common conclusion was that AI poses a significant challenge for teaching. At the same time, the event provided numerous ideas for the ongoing debate on AI in geography.

On 4 December the board of the Society for Geography (GfE) in Cologne presented Dr Arne Rieber with the certificate for this year's Dr Hohmann Grant for his research project “German Industrial Transformation: Geoeconomy and the Role of the State in the Chemical Industry”. Congratulations!

The Collaborative Research Center Transregio (TRR) 228 “Future Rural Africa” has secured four more years of funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is thus entering its third funding period. In this project, researchers from the Universities of Bonn and Cologne study how rural regions in Africa are changing and can be shaped in the future, working closely with local partners to explore key questions about socio-ecological transformations and future-making in rural Africa. 

From 10 to 21 November 2025, the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) will take place in Belém, Brazil. Prof. Dr. Lisa Schipper has spoken to various media outlets about ‘Adaptation COP30.’ She emphasises that climate adaptation is inextricably linked to development and justice and is becoming increasingly existential in the face of persistently high emissions and a lack of political commitment. At the same time, she sees the strong participation of indigenous representatives as a moment of climate justice.

Starting in the 2025/26 winter semester, Dr. Juliane Dame will substitute the professorship for Urban and Regional Geography at the Department of Geography at the University of Bonn. She focuses on topics related to environmental governance and sustainability transformation. Juliane Dame will offer modules in both master's and bachelor's programs.

From October 9 onwards, new first-year students were welcomed to the Department of Geography at the University of Bonn. From October 13-17, the traditional orientation week, or O-Week for short, took place, designed to help new students get started with their studies. The student council also organised a varied programme of introductory activities, such as a bachelor's and master's rally.

In May 2025, Benedikt Walker successfully defended his doctoral thesis entitled ‘The German Hydrogen Sector in Global Production Networks: Structures, Agency, and Uneven Development’ at the Department of Geography at the University of Bonn. The thesis was supervised by Prof. Britta Klagge, with Prof. Andrew Cumbers (University of Glasgow) serving as second examiner. Congratulations!

Phillip Garjay Innis has successfully defended his doctoral thesis on Navigating Urban Riskscapes under the supervision of Prof. Detlef Müller-Mahn. Congratulations!