Following the tremendous success of the online lecture series in winter semester 24/25 and summer semester 2025 with over 1,300 participants each, the public and free (online) lecture series will now be continued in winter semester 2025/26. This year, parts of the event will be held in person for UW/H students. External students can still participate online.

The course "Human-Animal Relationship" took place for the first time in the summer semester 2021 as a seminar in a small setting in which the students worked out the content themselves. Here is a book that was developed jointly by the students and the team of lecturers as part of the course. Now the event is to be continued for the second time in a larger format, in which experts will give us an insight into their areas of expertise.

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on environmental awareness and interest in climate protection at universities. Even though this has resulted in very successful formats to date, the direct relationship between humans and animals has not yet been sufficiently addressed in university contexts. In an increasingly complex world, it also makes little sense to look at major challenges in isolation.

The lecture series of the Chair of Didactics and Educational Research in Healthcare (Prof. Jan P. Ehlers, Dr. Julia Nitsche) and the Junior Professorship for Digital Health (Jun.-Prof. Theresa Sophie Busse) therefore refers to the synthesis "human-animal relationship" and offers a far-reaching platform for a comprehensive discussion and examination of the diverse aspects of animal welfare, environmental awareness and ethics.

This lecture series is not only open to students, but to all interested parties free of charge. A certificate can be issued after regular attendance (e.g. for independent recognition as an elective subject at your own university or further education).
The event will take place weekly on Thursdays from 17:30 to 19:00 from 16.10.2025 and will end on 29.01.2026.

The lecture deals with the following points:

• What is illegal puppy trade and what is the extent of it in Germany and Europe - why is it sometimes legal and sometimes illegal to "produce" and sell puppies.
• How does this "illegal production" usually take place, how are the mother animals and the puppies kept until they are sold; above all, health and animal welfare aspects are examined.
• Once the puppy has found a new home and survived the first few weeks there, subsequent problems can arise over the years. These problems are not only to be assessed in terms of animal welfare; the emotional burden on the owners and a possible risk potential are also discussed.
• Finally, a certain "helplessness" in the face of the phenomenon of "illegal puppy trading" is also discussed - what possibilities are there to put a stop to this phenomenon?

Further information on the topic is available online .

Registration for external interested parties is not necessary. The events will be broadcast live .

UW/H students should register for the event via UWE and will then receive further information on registration.

Further dates in the series:

18.12.25: S3E10 Intermediate reflection

25.12.25: Winter break

01.01.25: Winter break

08.01.26: S3E11 Hunting and animal welfare from a criminal law perspective

15.01.26: S3E12 Vegan art

22.01.26: S3E13 Online BARCAMP"Getting into action"

29.01.26:S3E14 Kahoot final quiz