idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Pediatrician Dr. Boris Wittekindt, Romance studies scholar Romana Radlwimmer, Protestant theologian Dr. Johannes Friedrich Diehl, and biochemist Prof. Alexander Heckel have all received this year’s prestigious 1822 University Prize for Excellence in Teaching, awarded jointly by Goethe University Frankfurt and the Frankfurter Sparkasse Foundation for the 24th time.
“What does good teaching mean in a world where texts can be generated within seconds and term papers written by models?” That question, posed by Prof. Viera Pirker, Goethe University's Vice President Studies and Teaching, struck a chord with many in the fully packed Renate von Metzler Hall auditorium on Westend Campus. Yet even in times of ChatGPT and co., teaching at Goethe University remains “a shared process of seeking knowledge, judgment, and responsibility,” Pirker said, adding that it takes people who discard familiar patterns and instead reimagine teaching. The recipients of the 1822 Prize showcase exceptional commitment: “They see their role not just in imparting knowledge, but – more importantly – in enabling a learning process that promotes self-guided learning, critical reflection, and participation.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ingo Wiedemeier, CEO of Frankfurter Sparkasse, said: “It is out of a deep sense of conviction that we have supported the 1822 University Prize through our foundation for more than two decades. Excellent teaching fosters new generations of passionate researchers. This benefits both university research and the entire Rhine-Main economic region.”
The award ceremony traditionally features a lecture on current topics in teaching. This year’s talk by business informatics professor Doris Weßels was titled: “From Co-Creation to Co-Teaching: Generative AI as a Driver of Future-Oriented University Teaching.” In it, she outlined the evolution toward agent-based co-teaching models between humans and machines. ChatGPT and similar tools challenge traditional higher education, Weßels said, adding that universities are now tasked with shaping this profound transformation. Weßels is a professor at Kiel University of Applied Sciences and co-founder of Virtuelles Kompetenzzentrum Künstliche Intelligenz und wissenschaftliches Arbeiten (VK\:KIWA, Virtual Competence Center for Artificial Intelligence and Academic Work).
1st Prize was awarded to pediatrician Dr. Boris Wittekindt for his exceptionally broad and sustainable commitment to teaching. For years, he has shaped pediatric education with “didactic excellence, organizational responsibility, and a high level of practical relevance.” As senior physician in neonatology, he teaches in all phases of the medical curriculum, integrating theoretical foundations, patient-centered communication, and clinical casework in an exemplary manner. With interactive lectures, patient-oriented formats, peer-teaching offerings, realistic exam simulations, digital materials, and his own podcast, he provides diverse, practice-oriented learning pathways. Beyond teaching, he is involved in curriculum development, course evaluation, and interdisciplinary cooperation. Students describe him as approachable, structured, and motivating, and as someone who connects students and medical staff, including through his role as a musician in the university’s campus orchestra.
2nd Prize went to Prof. Romana Radlwimmer, professor of Romance Literary Studies (Hispanism and Lusitanism), for her teaching at the intersection of literary studies, cultural practice, and intercultural exchange. Her nomination letter highlighted how her teaching opens the seminar room to social issues. She invites internationally recognized authors and translators for readings, lectures, and workshops, giving students direct insights into creative processes, literary professions, and cultural contexts beyond the curriculum. She also initiates excursions into Frankfurt’s literary and cultural scene – spanning bookstores, museums, and literary events – thereby turning the city itself into a learning space. Her teaching is methodologically diverse and participatory, emphasizing skills such as writing, feedback culture, and time management. She fosters student initiative, including through a low-barrier platform for student publishing.
The 3rd Prize was jointly awarded to Dr. Johannes Friedrich Diehl (Protestant Theology) and Prof. Alexander Heckel (Chemical Biology).
Dr. Johannes Friedrich Diehl was recognized for his many years of outstanding teaching in Protestant Theology. Students praise his combination of subject expertise and didactic innovation, especially in teaching Hebrew. He has developed his own digital platform offering materials such as audio recordings, vocabulary trainers, and mock exams. His courses are well-structured, varied in method, and tailored to students’ learning needs. He uses course evaluations to improve his teaching and is perceived as committed and approachable. Beyond teaching, he also serves as Chair of the Hebraisten-Verband (Hebraists' Association), contributing to structural improvements in language instruction at universities.
Prof. Alexander Heckel received the award for his innovative, student-centered teaching in Organic Chemistry. His courses feature clear didactics, high clarity, and attention to varied prior knowledge – especially in the interdisciplinary Bioinformatics program. He makes complex topics accessible even to non-specialists, without sacrificing depth. Using digital tools such as virtual reality and hybrid learning environments, he makes abstract content tangible and facilitates diverse learning access. Students say his motivating lecture style, connection to research and practice – e.g. by drawing on his experience as a paramedic –, his ongoing commitment, strong teaching skills, and enthusiasm for innovation make him a standout teacher in the natural sciences.
The 1822 University Prize for Excellence in Teaching was first awarded in 2001. The first and third prizes are supported by Frankfurter Sparkasse Foundation with a total of €20,000. The second prize, worth €10,000, is funded by Goethe University Frankfurt. The prize is awarded annually. Students nominate the candidates, and a commission consisting of students, academic staff, professors, and representatives of Sparkasse Foundation makes the final decision.
The event was moderated by students Luca Malena Berger and Thessa König and accompanied by a musical program by Bernhard Hollinger, combining improvisational music and experimental electronic sound art.
Further Nominees:
Dr. Daria Bayer – Faculty of Law
Dr. Veronika Brandis – Faculty of Linguistics, Cultural Studies and Art
Prof. Dr. Christoph Cornelißen – Faculty of Philosophy and History
Prof. Dr. Axel Fanego Palat - Faculty of Linguistics, Cultural Studies and Art
Prof. Dr. Stefan Frank – Faculty of Medicine
Prof. Kerstin Gottschalk - Faculty of Linguistics, Cultural Studies and Art
Prof. Dr. med. Oliver Habler - Faculty of Medicine
Anne Marlene Hastenplug – Faculty of Modern Languages
Dr. Silvia Heid - Faculty of Medicine
Hannah Sabrina Hübner - Faculty of Philosophy and History
Lilian Hümmler – Faculty of Social Sciences
Dr. Manuela Kalbermatten - Faculty of Modern Languages
Prof. Dr. Dr. Judith Kasper/ Prof. Dr. Caroline Sauter - Faculty of Modern Languages
Prof. Dr. Sven Klimpel – Faculty of Biological Sciences
Dr. Daniel Kostyra – Faculty of Economics and Business
Prof. Dr. Antje Krause-Wahl - Faculty of Linguistics, Cultural Studies and Art
Dr. Jana Liewald – Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy
Stéphanie Niepceron - Faculty of Modern Languages
Dr. Stefan Rettenmayr – Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics
Dr. Ingo Johannes Benjamin Sauer - Faculty of Economics and Business
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. phil. nat. Achim Schmidtko - Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy
Dr. Isabell Schmitz - Faculty of Biological Sciences
Prof. Dr. Heiko Schulz – Faculty of Protestant Theology
Prof. Dr. Michael Sommer – Faculty of Catholic Theology
Prof. Dr. Annette Warner - Faculty of Philosophy and History
Cosima Weisenburger – Faculty of Psychology and Sports Sciences
Dr. Sandro Wiesmann - Faculty of Psychology and Sports Sciences
Dr. Ulrike Zoch - Faculty of Linguistics, Cultural Studies and Art
Images for download: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/174337772
Caption:
At the award ceremony for the 1822 Prize for Excellence in Teaching: (from left) Dr. Ingo Wiedemeier, CEO of Frankfurter Sparkasse; award recipients pediatrician Dr. Boris Wittekindt, chemist Prof. Alexander Heckel, professor of Romance Linguistics Romana Radlwimmer, Hebrew lecturer Dr. Johannes Friedrich Diehl; and Goethe University Vice President for Teaching and Study Prof. Viera Pirker. (Photo: Moritz Reich)
Julia Pirzer
Advisor for University Prizes
Tel.: +49(0)173 265 8 058
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