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Frauenpower für die Quantenphysik: Vom 30. Juni bis 2. Juli 2025 wurde der Hubland-Campus der Universität Würzburg zum Treffpunkt für Quantenphysikerinnen aus aller Welt. Zum zweiten Mal hatte das Grete-Hermann-Netzwerk des Exzellenzclusters ct.qmat – Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter der Universitäten Würzburg und Dresden zu einem Workshop eingeladen.

The Equal Opportunities in Physics Taskforce is committed to promoting diversity in science by raising the visibility of role models. The Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat is a proud partner in this initiative, which received the University of Würzburg’s 2025 Gender Equality Award.

 Construction is now officially underway on a new research building that will house both the Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat and the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden – creating a world-class hub for international research into quantum materials.

+++ Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat unveils Germany’s first quantum physics-themed escape room for youngsters in Dresden +++ Kitty Q – A Quantum Adventure at Technische Sammlungen Dresden offers a gamified exploration of quantum physics +++ Michael Kretschmer, Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony, has agreed to act as patron +++

The Würzburg-Dresden Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat hosted a German-Japanese workshop on February 26 and 27, 2024, setting the course for close collaboration between researchers from both countries. Around 70 participants from Germany and Japan convened in Würzburg to discuss their latest findings in quantum physics research. Organized by ct.qmat and supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the workshop delved into areas such as topology, photonics, magnetism, and the dynamics of electron correlation in solids. This exchange of ideas paved the way for joint projects in the coming years.

Giorgio Sangiovanni specializes in the computational analysis of quantum materials. He now heads the recently established Chair in Computational Quantum Materials at ct.qmat’s Würzburg branch, backed by €1.5 million in funding from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts.

The European Physical Society presented this award to celebrate the “seminal contributions to the classification, prediction, and discovery of novel topological quantum materials.” Claudia Felser is one of the 25 principal investigators of the Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat.

This summer, the Hubland Campus of the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg became a hub for female quantum physicists from around the globe. From July 31 to August 2, 2023, they gathered at the behest of the Grete Hermann Network, part of the Würzburg-Dresden Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat.

Dresden-based cluster professor Elena Hassinger has received TU Dresden’s 2023 Diversity-Aware Teaching Award for her interdisciplinary seminar “The Big Bang Theory Syndrome: Why should we care about stereotypes?” The English-language seminar aims to raise students‘ awareness of gender stereotypes, sharpen their perception, and professionalize their interactions.