IFEX

Goals and fields of activity

The Interdisciplinary Research Center for Extraterrestrial Studies (IFEX) is a cross-institutional research center within the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg.

IFEX focuses on extraterrestrial research projects related to the natural sciences and technology, as well as their innovative applications on Earth and in space. Its scope of work includes the exploration of space, ranging from objects in our solar system to distant stars, galaxies, and the universe as a whole; the search for life and extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI); and the investigation of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP).

Promoting and coordinating discipline-specific and, in particular, interdisciplinary collaborations is just as much a part of its mission as raising public awareness of extraterrestrial topics through public relations efforts.

Contact Details

An automated reporting system is currently under construction. Until then, UAPs can be reported either by e-mail to uap@uni-wuerzburg.de or to the associated member GEP.

General inquiries to IFEX: ifex@uni-wuerzburg.de

Press inquiries:ifex-press@uni.wuerzburg.de

All information about donations can be found hier.

Organisation

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hakan Kayal
Chairman
Professorship for Space Technology
Klara-Oppenheimer Weg 32
97074 Würzburg

Prof. Dr. Andreas Nüchter
Deputy Chairman
Professorship for Robotics
Computer Science XVII
Am Hubland
97074 Würzburg

Heidi Frankenberger
Secretary's Office
Phone: +49-931-31-86678
Email: heidi.frankenberger@uni-wuerzburg.de

IFEX Working Groups

Extraterrestrial Spaceflight

The “Extraterrestrial Spaceflight” research group develops scientifically grounded concepts and technologies for future missions, infrastructure, and long-term human presence beyond Earth.

KI-generierte künstlerische Darstellung eines UAP

SETI & UAP

Here, extraordinary observations and potential technosignatures are investigated through technical, methodological, analytical, and social science approaches: scientifically grounded, interdisciplinary, and open-ended.

Coordination and IFEX Knowledge Hub

Coordination and IFEX Knowledge Hub connects expertise, projects, resources, and research activities across IFEX, making them visible, accessible, and sustainably usable.