November 4, 2025
Launch Workshop of the Sustainability Research Hub
Thinking ahead together on Sustainability Research
On November 4, 2025, the University of Cologne hosted a workshop to launch the Sustainability Research Hub under the theme “Research Meets Sustainability.” The event brought together researchers from various disciplines to network and jointly develop perspectives for the further development of sustainability research at the University of Cologne. Following opening remarks by Prof. Dr. Kirk W. Junker, Vice-Rector for Sustainability, participants got to know one another during a speed networking session in the Sustainability Edition and exchanged ideas on the sustainability aspects of their research and current sustainability issues. In the subsequent presentation, Dr. Tatiana López-Julies, coordinator of the Hub, introduced the Sustainability Research Hub as the “Research” action area of the University of Cologne’s Sustainability Strategy. This included an introduction to the Hub’s mission, goals, and initial activities. As an open platform, it aims to strengthen interdisciplinary networking, raise the profile of sustainability research, and initiate new research projects.
This was followed by thematic networking in so-called Collaboration Hubs with the goal of “connecting research, developing ideas.” The focus was on identifying research synergies and assessing needs to promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration. Suggestions included greater visibility for research projects, matchmaking and mentoring, support for research grant applications, joint teaching formats, and stronger networking with non-university partners and the City of Cologne.
In closing, the participants took part in a future workshop titled “From Analysis to Vision – Shaping Sustainability Research at the University of Cologne,” where they first developed visions for the year 2035 and used these to derive concrete measures for the Hub’s strategic development. Topics included future research priorities such as energy and climate, as well as environmental justice, new interdisciplinary research and teaching formats, and greater involvement of the urban community and external partners. The city of Cologne as a real-world laboratory, collaborations with regional and international stakeholders, and improved structural conditions were also identified as possible perspectives.
The event concluded with a joint lunch and further networking. The launch workshop thus combined exchange, visions for the future, and concrete ideas for further raising the profile of and fostering collaboration in sustainability research at the University of Cologne.