University of Siegen bids farewell to Prof. Wanning and Prof. Bongardt
Prof. Dr. Berbeli Wanning and Prof. Dr. Michael Bongardt are firmly established at the University of Siegen and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. However, their time in active service is coming to an end for both of them as they reach retirement age at the end of February 2026 - and begin a new chapter in their lives. University Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese bid farewell to Prof. Wanning and Prof. Bongardt in person and expressed her thanks and appreciation for their many years of commitment to research and teaching.
Prof. Berbeli Wanning has held the professorship for Didactics of German Language and Literature (Literature Didactics) since October 2010. In addition, the Hanover native founded the Cultural Ecology and Literature Didactics research unit together with Dr. Elisabeth Hollerweger. The cultural ecology approach in literary didactics integrates education for sustainable development as an integral part of German, which has been a central subject from the outset. In this context, Berbeli Wanning led the first sub-project of "CultureNature Literacy - Key Competencies for Shaping the Future in the Anthropocene" as part of the European Erasmus program, in collaboration with Dr. Jana Mikota. She was also recently involved in the "Orientierungsrahmen Globale Entwicklung - Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung in der gymnasialen Oberstufe", which is published by the Kultusministerkonferenz.
Prof. Michael Bongardt moved from the FU Berlin to Siegen in August 2016, since when he has been Professor of Anthrology, Cultural and Social Philosophy. From 2016 to 2019, Prof. Bongardt was Prorector for Studies, Teaching and Teacher Training at the University of Siegen; at the FU Berlin, he was previously Vice President for Studies and Teaching (2010-2014). A particular focus of his work is on research relating to Hans Jonas; Prof. Bongardt is involved in the Hans Jonas Center Siegen and founded the International Hans Jonas Society in 2025 with colleagues from numerous countries. His teaching focuses on cultural, religious and socio-philosophical topics. In 2017, Prof. Bongardt was in charge of implementing the project "One university - one book. The University of Siegen - the Basic Law". This summer, the university explored the Basic Law as a central work in the form of lectures, discussions and a learning workshop.
