Events of the Sustainability Research Hub
The Sustainability Research Hub regularly invites the research community at the University of Cologne to join events to create spaces for interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration. Thereby, the Hub seeks to contribute to advancing sustainability-oriented research at the University of Cologne and embedding sustainable practices into the research culture.
Do you have an idea or a topic suggestion for an event, or would you like to organize an event in cooperation with the Sustainability Research Hub? Feel free to contact us at tatiana.lopez-julies@uni-koeln.de.
Events in the Winter Semester 2025/26
Research Meets Sustainability: Launch Workshop of the Sustainability Research Hub at the University of Cologne
4 November 2025, 09:00–14:00, conference room (ground floor), seminar building, University of Cologne
With the Sustainability Research Hub, the University of Cologne is creating a new, open collaboration platform for researchers at all career stages, with the aim of further developing the field of sustainability research across the university. By connecting researchers and sustainability-related research initiatives, the Hub seeks to spark new ideas and projects that address complex challenges on the path toward a sustainable future.
In addition to an introduction to the Hub’s goals and services, the workshop will jointly develop strategic activities and thematic priorities. There will also be dedicated time for topic-based networking among researchers.
We warmly invite all researchers at the University of Cologne to the launch workshop on 4 November 2025, 09:00–14:00, including a shared lunch.
Registration: Please register by 24 October 2025 via this form: https://form.jotform.com/252452552774360
Questions & suggestions: Contact Dr. Tatiana López at tatiana.lopez-julies@uni-koeln.de.
English speakers welcome! Please just kindly send a message to sustainability-research-hub@verw.uni-koeln.de, so we can plan accordingly.
Agenda:
08:45 – 09:00 Arrival & Networking over Coffee
09:00 – 09:10 Welcome (Prof. Dr. Kirk W. Junker, Vice-Rector for Sustainability)
09:10 – 09:30 Getting to Know Each Other & Warm-Up: Speed Networking – Sustainability Edition
09:30 – 09:50 Presentation: Research as a Field of Action in the University of Cologne’s Sustainability Strategy – Introduction of the Sustainability Research Hub (Dr. Tatiana López-Julies, Coordinator, Sustainability Research Hub)
09:50 – 10:45 Thematic Networking: Collaboration Hubs – Connecting Research, Developing Ideas
10:45 – 11:15 Networking over Coffee
11:15 – 12:45 Future Lab: From Analysis to Vision – Shaping Sustainability Research at the University of Cologne
12:45 – 13:00 Closing and Outlook
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch with Finger Food and Networking
Sustainability Lunch Talk Series – Impulses for Sustainability-Oriented Research at the University of Cologne
In the winter semester 2025/26, the Sustainability Lunch Talk Series invites researchers at the University of Cologne to exchange ideas and connect around sustainability-oriented research in four sessions held on Tuesdays from 12:00–13:30.
Each interactive session features inspiring keynote impulses followed by practice-oriented discussions. Together, we will explore topics such as interdisciplinary perspectives on the concept of sustainability, sustainability in the research process, transdisciplinary collaboration in sustainability research, and funding opportunities. The aim is to strengthen sustainability-oriented research at the University of Cologne, share good practices, and develop joint ideas for the future.
The series takes place in the Conference Room, Seminar Building. A light lunch bag will be provided for all participants to accompany the discussions.
Registration: https://form.jotform.com/252521836099362
Registration for each session is possible until one week before the respective date. If you are unable to attend, please send a short cancellation to sustainability-research-hub@verw.uni-koeln.de. This helps us plan the lunch bags more accurately and avoid food waste – in the spirit of sustainability.
Please note that this event will be held in German. Should you require assistance with translation, please send a message to sustainability-research-hub@uni-koeln.de
Program:
18 November 2025 – Rethinking Sustainability as a Concept: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
- Prof. Dr. Martina Fuchs: Green Skills und Nachhaltigkeit
- Dr. Shumon Hussain: Decolonial and More-than-Human Perspectives on Sustainability
16 December 2025 – Designing Research Processes Sustainably: Green Labs at the University of Cologne
- Dr. Dr. Tomo Saric: The Ecological Footprint of Our Labs – and How We Can Reduce It
- Dr. Anna Schmitt & Dr. Claudia Herr: Sustainable Research in the Lab – Our Experiences with My Green Lab Certification
13 January 2026 – Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research: Building Bridges Between Science, Practice, and Society
- Prof. Dr. Roman Bartosch & Tanya Gautam: Ecological Transformation Through Music and Literature: Transdisciplinary Research in the Project Eco-lit
27 January 2026 – Funding Sustainability-Oriented Research: Strategies and Opportunities
- Elena Martins & Megan Hanson: From the EU to Foundations – Funding Opportunities for Sustainability Research
- Dr. Pamela Kilian: How to Do It Right – Anchoring Sustainability in Research Proposals