Awarded by Mainz Media Prize 2025: Academic scholar Professor Stephan Füssel, for shaping the media image of the Gutenberg city.
Stephan Füssel, a renowned German book scholar and publisher, is set to receive the prestigious Mainz Media Prize in late autumn 2025. The award, under the patronage of the Mainz Press Club and the city of Mainz, recognises Füssel's exceptional "sustainable medial impact" that transcends the city's borders and is particularly prominent nationwide.
Füssel served as the director of the Institute for Book Studies at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz from 1992 to 2020, where he transformed the once somewhat dusty "book studies" into a modern, interdisciplinary, and international media studies with great relevance for modern communication forms. His research focus on media convergence addressed topics such as media and internet addiction, media pedagogy, and the impact on public and democracy.
In 1997, Füssel brought international book science research to Mainz from the USA, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Poland. His contributions to the university made it academically visible and drove forward new study programs and structural changes that future generations of students will benefit from for many years to come.
Füssel is also a member of the presidium of the International Gutenberg Society in Mainz and has significantly contributed to the rediscovery of the inventor of the printing press, Gutenberg, and the understanding of its impact in subsequent centuries. His book 'Gutenberg and his impact' depicts the intellectual climate of a pan-European educated elite around 1500 AD.
Notably, Füssel edits the Gutenberg Yearbook, the Mainz Studies in Book Science, and the series of writings/e-books "Media Convergence". In 2000, he organised an international conference on the history and present of media in Mainz, attracting 330 scientists from all over the world.
Annette Ludwig, laureate of the Mainz Medienpreis in 2022, praised the award for giving visibility to young artistic positions, reflecting the diversity of print graphic techniques in contemporary portraiture, and having become a widely recognised social event that stands for quality and continuity.
The award ceremony for the Mainz Medienpreis is scheduled to take place in the Landesmuseum Mainz, with the laureates being portrayed by an artist known for innovative print graphics. Past laureates include Mainz cabaret artist Herbert Bonewitz, football coach Jürgen Klopp, the Mainz Hofsängers, and the former director of the Mainz Gutenberg Museum, Annette Ludwig.
While Stephan Füssel's contributions to historical publishing and book studies are globally recognised, his work in Mainz has given the city international recognition over nearly 30 years. His efforts to promote knowledge and education for everyone and discuss the role of media in present-day culture have had a lasting impact on the city and beyond.
Stephan Füssel's work transcends the realm of 'book studies', shaping it into a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and global-focused 'media studies' that influences contemporary communication forms. Füssel's research, centered around 'media convergence', tackles issues such as media addiction, media pedagogy, and democracy's impact.
Driven by his vision, key programs and structural changes were initiated at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, impacts that are set to benefit generations to come. Füssel's interests expand beyond history and book science, delving into 'technology', 'education-and-self-development', and 'personal-growth', evident in his series of publications like 'Media Convergence'.
In line with his commitment to lifelong learning, Füssel organised an international conference in 2000 focusing on the history and present of 'media', gathering 330 scientists from around the world. His extensive work, including the publication of 'Gutenberg and his impact', contributes significantly to the understanding of Gutenberg's influence on subsequent centuries.
As Füssel prepares to receive the Mainz Media Prize, acknowledging his 'sustainable medial impact' both locally and nationwide, his focus on 'sustainable living' and the potential of 'data-and-cloud-computing' resonates as critical points for discussion in the modern media landscape.
The Mainz Medienpreis, a prestigious award embracing 'artistic positions', reflects the diversity of 'print graphic techniques' and serves as a widely recognised social event embodying 'quality and continuity'. Füssel's leadership in Mainz has firmly placed the city on the global stage, championing the dissemination of knowledge, education, and discussions about the role of media in contemporary culture.
