Since 1994, the Leibniz Professorship has been awarded each semester to renowned international researchers and is one of the highest honors our university bestows.
We are currently not accepting nomination proposals for further appointments to the Leibniz Professorship.
Welcome Luca Illetterati!
Leibniz PROFESSORSHIP in the Summer semester 2024
Our current Leibniz Professor Luca Illetterati is Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology at the University of Padua. Illetterati was also President of the Italian Society of Theoretical Philosophy, of the Centro d'Arte degli Studenti dell’ Università di Padova and of the Direction Committee of the Galilean School for Higher Education. He is a member of the Board of the International Hegel Association and of the International Schelling Association. Furthermore, he has held numerous visiting professorships and fellowships, including as a visiting professor at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa.
With his extensive research on classical German philosophy, Illetterati's contributions are internationally recognised as trend-setting for the philosophy, the literary and cultural studies. His current research on the revision of the concept of nature and naturalism is significant for many master's and doctoral projects at the Institute of Philosophy in Leipzig. Through his interest in language, translation and pedagogy, his appointment as Leibniz Professor will also provide cross-disciplinary inspiration and support for research projects and initiatives at Leipzig University.
During his stay in the summer semester of 2024, Illetterati will lead courses on the concept of nature and on German idealism. These events are intended to tie in with current research trends and encourage interdisciplinary exchange between master's students, doctoral students, postdocs and lecturers in philosophy, German studies and cultural studies. In addition, the cooperation between the institutes in Padua and Leipzig will be strengthened within the Arqus network.
Information about Leibniz Professorship Appointments
The Leibniz Professorship is for a W3 visiting professor who conducts interdisciplinary research and teaches classes for students and doctoral researchers. The aim is to stimulate partnerships, creating a foundation for academic innovation. We also hope to gain new ideas and input for the training of early career researchers. We would like to attract internationally renowned academics and researchers, primarily from countries outside Germany.
Preference will be given to researchers who contribute to research areas, research approaches and/or academic discourses that are not represented in Leipzig. The candidate must be proficient in one of the most widely used academic languages (English, German or French). We especially welcome nominations for outstanding researchers who are female and/or from outside Europe and the US as these minorities have to date been underrepresented in the Leibniz Professorship Programme.
The teaching hours are limited to four semester hours per week. We expect the Leibniz Professor to participate in the training of doctoral researchers at the host institution or the Graduate Academy Leipzig by giving lectures, workshops, and/or colloquia, leading field trips, and/or teaching at the summer or winter school. At the beginning of the semester, the Leibniz Professor holds an inaugural lecture that is open to all university members. We also offer a Science Café, where the Leibniz Professor discusses a topic with selected guests in an informal and relaxed atmosphere. University members are invited to attend.