Farewell Lecture by Prof. Dr. Tobias Brönneke

On January 21, 2026, Prof. Dr. Tobias Brönneke, founder and long-time director of the vunk Institute, bid farewell to Pforzheim University with a ceremonial farewell lecture. 

Numerous colleagues, students, companions, and distinguished guests from the worlds of politics and business accepted the invitation, thereby honoring a figure who has had a decisive influence on Pforzheim University for more than two decades.

In his farewell lecture titled “Values – Science – Ideology,” Prof. Brönneke offered a personal and scholarly summary of his work. Starting from fundamental questions of the philosophy of science, he reflected on the tension between objectivity, commitment to values, and ideology, and made it clear: Science can and should be guided by values—provided it strictly adheres to the rules of scientific critical thinking. 

The farewell lecture also provided an opportunity to look back on an extraordinary academic career. Prof. Brönneke has had a lasting impact on consumer research, environmental and digital law, as well as applied legal studies at universities of applied sciences. With the founding of the Institute for Consumer Research and Sustainable Consumption (vunk), he created an interdisciplinary flagship for Pforzheim University that is recognized far beyond the region. This recognition was also reflected in a commemorative publication presented during the farewell lecture. Pforzheim University – Commemorative Publication for Tobias Brönneke Published in the vunk Series

In addition to his academic excellence, Prof. Brönneke was honored for his commitment to policy consulting, his involvement in legislative processes, and his special support for young scholars. 

Prof. Brönneke did not say goodbye without also addressing a few personal words to his successors at the helm of vunk. Back in November, he handed the baton to the new leadership duo, Prof. Dr. Steffen Kroschwald and Prof. Dr. Margarita Bidler (more on this …).

The vunk, which would not exist without him, extends its heartfelt thanks to Prof. Dr. Tobias Brönneke for his many years of service and wishes him all the best for this new chapter in his life.