Freie Universität Berlin

When Freie Universität was first founded in 1948 in the divided city of Berlin, it was seen as a stronghold of independent thinking and academic freedom compared to its politically repressive counterpart in the city’s Soviet sector. Seventy-five years later, it is hard to imagine Germany’s research and higher education landscape without it.

But what does Freie Universität represent today? What makes it unique? And how is it perceived and experienced by different audiences inside and outside of the university?

Developing a new brand image involves tackling these questions. Throughout this project the university has relied on its strongest resource – its members. Using a variety of formats, including interviews, surveys, and workshops, we asked researchers, students, and employees of Freie Universität what they thought about their university and how they envisioned its future.

External perspectives were also factored into this process. We conducted interviews with partners from Freie Universität’s network and did a survey of Berlin residents in 2022. Selected findings of the rebranding process are available on this website.