In January 2025, numerous scientific institutions from German -speaking countries left the platform X with a much -noticed public appeal. In the meantime, more than 120 universities and research institutes have joined the call to set the communication on X. The TH Lübeck had put its account on hold months ago. Now the university is officially part of the “Wissxit”. The joint withdrawal underlines the commitment of the scientific community for values such as diversity, freedom and scientific integrity.
The decision for the common “Wissxit” is based on the assessment that the platform no longer meets the requirements for factual and respectful communication. In addition, the science organizations emphasize the aspect of resource conservation: The time and energy spent on X can be used more effectively in other social networks in order to share research knowledge. Significant institutions of the alliance of the science organizations, including the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the DAAD and the Science Council, have now retreated X.
The institutions involved thus set an example of an open and constructive discussion culture and reaffirm their commitment to fact -based communication. Decentralized social media platforms such as bluesky and mastodone are often mentioned as alternatives to the former network Twitter. Via the non-profit “OpenPortability” platform (openportability.org) is made possible to transfer user data from X and thus make it easier to switch to the open platforms.
Involved institutions
Academy of Fine Arts Nuremberg
Alanus University of Art and Society
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Bauhaus University Weimar
Berlin University of Applied Sciences
Brandenburg Technical University of Cottbus – Senftenberg
Castle Giebichenstein Kunsthochschule Halle
Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS)
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
CVJM University of Kassel
German Society for Palliative Medicine
German ornithological society
German sports university Cologne
German Institute for Nutritional Research Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIFE)
European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)
Evangelical University of Ludwigsburg
Evangelical University of Nuremberg (Evhn)
University of Applied Sciences Dortmund
University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
Ferdinand-Braun Institute, Leibniz Institute for Maximum Frequency Technology (FBH)
FernUniversität in Hagen
Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lungszentrum
Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
Free University of Berlin
Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Georg-August University Göttingen
Goethe University Frankfurt
HAWK University of Applied Science and Art Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen
Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
Anhalt university
Bochum University
Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences
Bremen University
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
University of Fine Arts Saar
University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg)
University of Applied Sciences Neu-Ulm
University of Fine Arts (HBK) Braunschweig
University of Music and Theater Hamburg
University of Music and Theater Munich
University of Sustainable Development Eberswalde
University of Philosophy Munich
University of Economics and Environment Nürtingen-Geislingen
Furtwangen University
Kaiserslautern University
Kempten University
Landshut University
Mainz University
Munich University
Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences
Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
Reutlingen University
Rheinmain University of Applied Sciences
Ruhr West University
University of Music and Theater Hamburg
HTWG University of Constance – Technology, Economy and Design
Humboldt University in Berlin
Institute for bird research
Iu international university
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Julius Maximilians University Würzburg
Justus Liebig-Gesellschaft
Catholic University of North Rhine-Westphalia
Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
Church University of Wuppertal
Leibniz Postdoc Network
Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Technology and Bioeconomy (ATB)
Leibniz Institute for Aging Research-Fritz-Lipmann Institute (Fli)
Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP)
Leibniz Institute for Education Courses (Lifbi)
Leibniz Institute for the Pedagogy of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (IPN)
Leibniz Institute for European History (IEG)
Leibniz Institute for Catalysis (Likat)
Leibniz Institute for Natural Substances Research and Infection Biology-Hans-Knöll-Institut (Leibniz-Hki)
Leibniz Institute for East and Southeast European Research (iOS)
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea research Warnemünde
Leibniz Institute for Psychology (ZPID)
Leibniz Institute for Virology (LIV)
Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (Lib)
Leibniz-Lab Pandemic Preparedness Hamburg
Leibniz Center for Literature and Cultural Research (ZFL)
Leibniz Center for Marine Tropical Research (ZMT)
Leibniz Center for Contemporary History Research Potsdam (ZZF)
Max Weber Foundation – German Humanities Institute abroad
Medical University of Innsbruck
Philipps University Marburg
RWTH Aachen
Senckenberg Society for Natural Research
Technical University of Georg Agricola
Technical University of Cologne
Technical University Lübeck
Technical University of Middle Hesse (THM)
Technical University of Nuremberg Georg Simon Ohm
Technical University of Wildau
Technical University of Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Technical University of Braunschweig
Technical University of Darmstadt
Technical University of Dresden
University of Bamberg
University of Bayreuth
University of Bielefeld
University of the Arts Berlin
Saarland University
University of Duisburg-Essen
University of Erfurt
University of Greifswald
Heidelberg University
University of Hohenheim
University of Innsbruck
University of Kassel
University of Konstanz
University of Münster
University of Passau
University of Potsdam
University of Regensburg
University of Siegen
University of Trier
University of Ulm
University of Würzburg
University of Lübeck
West Saxon University of Zwickau
Science Center Berlin for Social Research (WZB)
Zeppelin University, Friedrichshafen