Researcher – Mentor – Visionary: TU Ilmenau bids farewell to Prof. Martin Löffelholz

After more than a quarter of a century at TU Ilmenau, Prof. Dr. Martin Löffelholz, chair of the Media Studies Group and director of the International Research Group on Crisis Communication, retired at the end of the 2025 summer semester. 

With his research on journalism, public diplomacy, and, in particular, crisis, risk, and war communication, he has shaped communication and media studies far beyond Germany.

"I hope that our findings will help make our societies more resilient so that they can better cope with future crises," says Löffelholz in an interview with UNIonline, in which he looks back on his career and outlines future challenges in communication research.

A film portrait by television journalist Dr. Bernd Rasem complements the review: The documentary traces the stages of Martin Löffelholz's academic career – from early research stays in Asia to major international projects during the coronavirus pandemic.

With this interview and film, TU Ilmenau honors a scientist who has shaped research, teaching, and the academic community for decades – and whose influence will continue to be felt even after his retirement.

The interview and farewell film are available via the following link on UNIonline:

https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/unionline/en/people/details/i-am-optimistic-about-the-next-phase-of-my-life-1694