The visiting professorship is a joint initiative of the Veranstaltungsforum of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, the Klaus Tschira Foundation (KTS) and Ruperto Carola. Well-known experts are invited to Heidelberg University to pass on, in a specialised programme, what constitutes high-quality reporting on scientific work and findings. At the same time, visiting professors are encouraged to initiate a broad-based discussion on new forms of exchange between science and the public.

In her workshops, Dagmar Röhrlich will address, among other things, how the natural and social sciences and the humanities can collectively weigh in on the major social discussions of our time and to objectively counter the rising emotionalisation in public discourse. She will also share the “tools of the trade” needed in journalism and communication, such as how to be a good interview and dialogue partner. A public lecture is also planned. Dagmar Röhrlich has received multiple prizes and awards for her work in radio and print media, including the Georg von Holtzbrinck Prize for Scientific Journalism. She was named Science Journalist of the Year in 2011. Several of her books on scientific topics are geared toward children and adolescents.

With the professorship, the three founding partners hope to sharpen awareness of the growing importance of good scientific communication. Champions of excellent scientific communication and quality journalism are appointed as visiting professors. The Springer Nature Visiting Professorship is located at the Marsilius Kolleg of Ruperto Carola, which serves as a bridge between the scientific cultures in Heidelberg.