The exhibition is part of the Erasmus+ project “Posters in Brussels,” which brings together students from across Europe with policymakers to discuss current research. For the Berlin exhibition, 44 posters were selected from more than 100 submissions nationwide—eight of which were created by students from Berlin University Alliance. The exhibition was opened by Andrea Lindholz, Vice President of the German Bundestag. The exhibition’s patron is Member of the Bundestag Adrian Grasse.

Academic freedom begins with asking your own questions

The opening event centered on a panel discussion titled “Academic Freedom and Student Research,” moderated by science journalist Dr. Jan-Martin Wiarda. Adrian Grasse, Prof. Dr. Ralph Bruder, President of Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, and Prof. Fatma Deniz, President of the Technical Universität Berlin and a member of the Board of Directors of Berlin University Alliance, discussed the importance of student research on the panel. The panel discussion centered on the question of when research actually begins. For Bruder and Deniz, it begins when students develop their own research questions. For this to succeed, Fatma Deniz explained, students need the freedom to experience a typical research process involving trial and error, discarding ideas, and further development.

Seven StuROPx projects featured in the exhibition

The exhibition impressively demonstrates that this approach is put into practice within Berlin University Alliance: A total of six of the projects on display—and thus nearly all of those from the BUA—were funded through the Student Research Opportunities Programx (StuROPx) of the Excellence Alliance. The program enables students to pursue their own research questions and get involved in authentic research projects while still in school.

Insight Through an Elevator Pitch

A few projects selected by lottery then had the additional opportunity to introduce themselves in short “elevator pitches.” Among them were Pia Bergelt and Karim Walkusch from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. The two students each had 60 seconds to present their research project, “UN-Visible Human Rights,” which was developed during the summer semester of 2025. In their project, they examined the extent to which international human rights decisions are incorporated into the case law of German administrative courts regarding residence law. The short presentations sparked curiosity about the exhibition and encouraged attendees to engage in further conversation with the students at their posters afterward.

An opportunity to publicize your own research beyond professional communities

Among the student research projects from the Berlin NUnbiversity Alliance featured in the exhibition is the X-Student Research Group “Backlash Against Gender: Comparative Perspectives on Europe’s Anti-Gender Politics” at Freie Universität Berlin. Anna Wobbe and Veronica Motta are presenting the results of their research on media discourse and trans* agency. For Anna Wobbe, participating in “Posters in the Bundestag” offered, above all, the opportunity to raise the profile of her research outside her own academic community: “Presenting our poster in the Bundestag was a great way to share our StuROPx research project with an audience outside our field and to engage in conversation about it with politicians as well as other students. I also learned how to design a research poster and present it in an elevator pitch.”

Impressed by the interest shown by policymakers

Also represented was the StuROPx-X tutorial “Medical Diagnostics Using AI—Between Innovation and Legal Boundaries” at Freie Universität. On their poster, Marlene Bamberg and Paula Altmann pose the question, “Who is liable if the AI makes a mistake?” and discuss the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in medical diagnostics. Marlene Bamberg was impressed by the interest shown by the politicians: “The direct exchange with Bundestag Vice President Andrea Lindholz, for example, showed me that policymakers recognize and value the societal relevance of student research.” Paula Altmann praised the conversations with other student participants: “Our discussions and the exciting projects once again highlighted just how diverse student research can be.”

Exhibition open through July 17

After the project presentations, many guests took the opportunity to explore the exhibition alongside the students and talk with them about their research. Anyone who missed the exhibition opening can still view the students’ research projects at the Bundestag through July 17, 2026. All you need to do is register for a regular visit or a guided tour. The exhibition is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Further Informationen

• on the exhibition „Poster im Bundestag“ (in German)
• on the Student Research Opportunites Program^x of Berlin University Alliance