At the Tag der Lehre 2025  (Teaching Day 2025) at Unipark Nonntal, Verena Kreilinger (Divisiont of Human Geography) was presented with the University of Salzburg’s Excellence in Teaching Award. With this award, the Rectorate honors University of Salzburg faculty members who demonstrate innovative teaching concepts and high-quality teaching.

Verena Kreilinger received the award for her course „Globale Herausforderungen (Global Challenges)“,” in which students analyze key dynamics of the climate crisis, geopolitical conflicts, and social tensions. The course combines critical engagement with global energy and climate policy—including technologies such as carbon capture and storage and green hydrogen—with multi-perspective work and the reflective use of AI tools. AI is not used as a shortcut, but as a tool for scientific analysis: students develop fact-based prompts, critically examine results, and use AI for scenario work and creative approaches.

Link to the university’s press release (German)
Link to more detailed information about the award winners and the concepts behind the award-winning courses (German)