Fachbereich Philosophie und Geisteswissenschaften

In Memory of Prof. Dr. Dr. Friedemann Pulvermüller

 

It is with deepest sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the sudden and unexpected passing of our beloved mentor and friend, Professor Dr. Dr. Friedemann Pulvermüller.

We are devastated. There are no words to fully capture the magnitude of this loss for our laboratory, the university, and each one of us who had the privilege to work, learn, and grow with him.

Friedemann was the heart, the brain, and the mind of the Brain Language Laboratory, which he has led with exceptional passion, brilliance, dedication and vision since its founding in 2011. His pioneering work at the intersection of linguistics, neuroscience, biology, and computational modelling has shaped not only our scientific paths but also deeply influenced who we are as researchers and human beings. His impact has been –and will continue to be– felt throughout the entire scientific community. 

He challenged us, supported us, believed in us, often more than we believed in ourselves. His standards were high, his expectations demanding, but always in the service of excellence, progress, and discovery. He pushed each of us to reach new heights, to think more boldly, and to venture into territories we hadn’t imagined exploring. To many of us, he was more than a supervisor or PI: he was an intellectual compass, a fierce advocate, and a generous, kind soul who never stopped thinking, questioning, and caring. His ideas were bold, his curiosity boundless, and his mentorship truly transformative–always attentive, always personal. 

He leaves behind a group of researchers and friends profoundly shaped by his presence, his mind, and his way of being. We miss him deeply–his voice in our meetings, his laughter at dinners, his enthusiasm at conferences, the dry, understated humor that so often disarmed us, and his excitement over every new idea or finding. The space he leaves behind is immense, as if the world itself has shifted to make room for his absence.

Our thoughts are with his wife Bettina, his son Johannes, and his family, and with all those around the world who are mourning his loss with us.

We will carry his spirit forward–in our research, in our conversations, and, indeed, in every step we take as scientists, colleagues, and friends. 

His light burned brilliantly — intense, inspiring, unforgettable — and its warmth will remain with us.

 

Friedemann, thank you. 

Thank you for your support, for your kindness, for your extraordinary guidance. 

Thank you for everything. 

You will always be with us in every small and great step we take.

 

The Brain Language Laboratory Team