Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum 2024:
The Jubilee Edition
10 + 11 June 2024
Why attend?
Network
Connect with academics, staff and students from renowned higher education institutions, politicians and experts from industry in both regions.
Collaborate
Explore avenues for interdisciplinary cooperation and initiate research partnerships.
Learn
Gain insights from experts, discover innovative projects, and expand your knowledge horizon.
Engage
Participate in discussions, exchange ideas, and be part of shaping the future of academia.
Photos: Moritz Küstner
Programme – Day 1 (Central Building, Leuphana Forum)
1:30 pm CEST
Arrival, Registration, and Coffee
2 pm CEST
Welcome Address
Prof. Dr. Jörg Philipp Terhechte
Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies
Prof. Dr. James Conroy
Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies & (Former) Vice Principal, University of
Glasgow
Falko Mohrs
Minister for Science and Culture, Lower Saxonian Government (video message)
Graeme Dey
Minister for Higher and Further Education, Scottish Government (video message)
2:20 pm CEST
Panel I: Energy and Beyond: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Lower Saxonian and Scottish Energy Transformation
Moderation:
Prof. Dr. Gioia Falcone
Rankine Chair of Energy Engineering, University of Glasgow
Speakers:
Prof. Dr. Daniel Friedrich
Chair of Energy Systems, University of Edinburgh
Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert
Head of the Energy, Transport and Environment Department, German Institute for Economic Research
Angelique Mesch
Green Hydrogen Pursuit Leader, Schneider Electric
Stephan Barth
Managing Director, ForWind
Dr. Alexander Bedrunka
Hydrogen Specialist, Climate Protection and Energy Agency Lower Saxony
4 pm CEST
Coffee Break
4:30 pm CEST
Panel II – Academic Exchange, Network Building and Beyond: How Do We
Best Position Our Institutions and Researchers for the Future?
Moderation:
Prof. Dr. Markus Reihlen
Vice President for the Graduate School, , Scientific Qualification, and Teacher Training, Leuphana
University Lüneburg
Speakers:
Prof. Dr. Anne H. Anderson
Vice President for Research, The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Julia Ilina-Kakueva
International Cooperation, German Research Foundation (DFG)
Dr. Frank Wessel
Enterprise Europe Network Lower Saxony, @NBank – Investment and Development Bank of Lower Saxony
Moritz Dütemeyer
Head of Division Europe, International Affairs, Lower Saxonian Ministry of Science and Culture
Prof. Dr. Jörg Philipp Terhechte
Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies
5:45 pm CEST
Closing Remark
Prof. Dr. James Conroy
Academic Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies & (Former) Vice Principal, University of
Glasgow
6 pm CEST
Reception
Musical Accompaniment:
William Radford
Saxophonist, Leuphana University Lüneburg
Konstantin Egensperger
Piano, Leuphana University Lüneburg
Programme – Day 2 (Central building, 6th floor)
9:30 am CEST
Arrival & Registration
10 am CEST
Welcome Address (Room C.40.601)
Prof. Dr. Gioia Falcone
Rankine Chair of Energy Engineering, University of Glasgow
Welcome Address (Room C.40.606)
Prof. Dr. Anne H Anderson
Vice President for Research, The Royal Society of Edinburgh
10:15 am CEST
Workshop I
USE-LESS in Scotland and Lower Saxony:
Experiences and Reports From a Look Behind
the Scenes of Local Textile Production in
Scotland
Hosts:
Dr. Britta Kalkreuter
Associate Professor for Design Studies and Director of Research, School of Textiles and Design, Heriot-Watt University
Josie Steed
Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge, Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University
Maria Silies
Research Assistant, USE-LESS Centre for Sustainable Strategies
Jule Eidam
Research Assistant, USE-LESS Centre for Sustainable Strategies
Workshop II
Making Infection Prevention and Control
more Sustainable
Hosts:
Anna Bludau
Researcher, Department of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Göttingen
Prof. Dr. Axel Kramer
Consultant, Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, University Medicine Greifswald
Anna Munro
Nurse Manager, ARHAI (Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection) Scotland
Nicolás Reinoso Schiller
Researcher, Department of Infection Prevention and Control, University Medical Center Göttingen
Paul Weaving
Nurse Consultant, NHS Scotland Assure and ARHAI Scotland
Prof. Dr. Simone Scheithauer
Director, Department of Infection Control and Infectious, University Medical Center Göttingen
12:15 pm CEST
Lunch Break
1:30 pm CEST
Workshop III
Sustainable Supply Chains: Risks in Green
Technology Transformations
Hosts:
Stephanie de Sousa Vieira
Fellow, Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law, Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Saumya Raval
Fellow, Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law, Leuphana University of Lüneburg
Dr. Bennett Collins
Lecturer (in Comparative Politics), Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Aberdeen
Dr. Matthias Packeiser
Academic Manager, Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law, Leuphana University Lüneburg
Workshop IV
Who Attends University, Who Doesn’t, and
What Should We Do About It? Social
Mobility and Patterns of Higher Education
Representation in Scotland and Lower
Saxony
Hosts:
Dr. Stephanie McKendry
Deputy Director of Student Experience, University of Strathclyde
Kelly Stewart
Researcher, Institute of Education, University of Strathclyde
3:30 pm CEST
Closing Address (Room C.40.601)
Christoph Kleineberg
Managing Director, European Centre for Advanced Studies
Closing Address (Room C.40.606)
Karolina Michniewicz
Academic Coordinator, European Centre for Advanced Studies
At a glance
About
The Joint Forum is a two-day networking event organised by the European Centre for Advanced Studies (ECAS) in partnership with Leuphana University Lüneburg (Leuphana) and the University of Glasgow (UofG). It aims to bring together all members from the different higher education institutions in Lower Saxony and Scotland.
With annual attendance figures of over 300 participants, the Joint Forum has proven to be an event that not only provides the opportunity to intensify existing cooperations but also to establish new ones. Going far beyond the event, these collaborations have contributed to the development of a solid
network between the Lower Saxonian and Scottish higher education institutions also including other actors such as industry and politics.
In the past two years, follow-up activities such as the Lower Saxony – Scotland Tandem Fellowship Programme or the development of the first joint White Paper prove that the academic regions of Lower Saxony and Scotland flourish from the engagement in mutual exchange and share more commonalities than merely both being located at the North Sea.
Venue
The jubilee edition of the Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum 2024 will be held in the Central Building of Leuphana University Lüneburg.
The building of concrete, glass and steel was designed by Daniel Libeskind together with students of Leuphana University and is considered a milestone in the dynamic and sustainable campus development. With its architecture, the building is intended to create a contrast to the linear structure of the former barracks. In the context of the history of the campus, the building stands for hope, courage, and a notion of new beginnings. Thus, the Central Building is the perfect location for the Joint Forum to foster the academic collaboration between Scotland and Lower Saxony.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Lüneburg!
Visit www.leuphana.de for more information about the University and its campus!
Travel Guidance and tips
To assist you in planning your travel arrangements for the Joint Forum 2024, we have compiled examples of the most efficient routes originating from the three major airports in Lower Saxony and neighboring regions (Bremen; Hamburg; Hanover). These routes extend to the respective main railway stations in these cities and ultimately to Lüneburg, where the journeys conclude at the event venue, Leuphana University Lüneburg.
For comprehensive information on regional travel options and schedules, we advise downloading the recommended applications for local commuting below. These tools enable convenient purchase of digital tickets, ensuring you are well-prepared for your journey. For booking Deutsche Bahn trains (e.g. ICE), we recommend using the DB Navigator app (Android or iOS)
From Bremen to Lüneburg
BSAG app (Android or iOS)
Step 1:
At the airport, board the S-Bahn line S6, heading towards Universität. Depart from the stop called Bremen Flughafen and disembark at Blumenthalstraße station, approximately 18 minutes later. Walk to the Bremen main railway station (4 minutes).
Step 2:
Transition to a regional train (Metronom) followed by an ICE train (Deutsche Bahn), totaling approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, including transfer time.
- Board the Metronom Line RE4 bound for Hamburg-Harburg at Bremen Hbf. Disembark at Hamburg-Harburg station.
- Transfer to the ICE Line 1579, heading towards Karlsruhe Hbf at Hamburg-Harburg. Complete the journey by alighting at Lüneburg railway station.
or
Embark on an ICE train (Deutsche Bahn) followed by a regional train (Metronom), totaling approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, including transfer time.
- Board ICE Line 618 bound for Kiel Hbf or ICE Line 208 bound for Ostseebad Binz at Bremen Hbf. Disembark at Hamburg-Harburg station.
- Transfer to Metronom Line RE3, heading towards Uelzen at Hamburg-Harburg. Complete the journey by alighting at railway station in Lüneburg.
Step 3:
Board the university shuttle bus, a regular city bus or alternatively a Taxi / Uber at the railway station in Lüneburg for onward travel as listed below:
- Option 1:
Board the university shuttle bus line 5001 towards Leuphana from Area 13 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Leuphana. Travel time is approximately 12 minutes. - Option 2:
Board a city bus line 5011 towards Eintracht-Sportplatz from Area 12 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Blücherstraße (Uni). Travel time is approximately 20 minutes. - Option 3:
Board a city bus 5012 towards Bernhard-Reimann-Straße from Area 10 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes. - Option 4:
Board a city bus 5020 towards Deutsch Evern, Schützenstraße from Area 7 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 18 minutes. - Option 5:
Board a city bus 5600 towards Embsen, Schulzentrum from Area 14 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 18 minutes. - Option 6:
Board a city bus 5606 towards Melbeck, Gymnasium from Area 14 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 12 minutes.
(The bus stops near the university campus are indicated on the map provided above)
From Hamburg to Lüneburg
HVV app (Android or iOS)
Step 1:
At the airport, board the S-Bahn line S1, heading towards Wedel. Depart from the stop called Hamburg Airport (Flughafen) and disembark at Hamburg Hbf station, approximately 24 minutes later.
or
Book a Moia ridesharing service, available on demand via Android or iOS.
Step 2:
Take the RE3 (Metronom) heading towards Uelzen at the main railway station in Hamburg and disembark at the railway station in Lüneburg, approximately 30 minutes later.
Step 3:
Board the university shuttle bus, a regular city bus or alternatively a Taxi / Uber at the railway station in Lüneburg for onward travel as listed below:
- Option 1:
Board the university shuttle bus line 5001 towards Leuphana from Area 13 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Leuphana. Travel time is approximately 12 minutes. - Option 2:
Board a city bus line 5011 towards Eintracht-Sportplatz from Area 12 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Blücherstraße (Uni). Travel time is approximately 20 minutes. - Option 3:
Board a city bus 5012 towards Bernhard-Reimann-Straße from Area 10 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes. - Option 4:
Board a city bus 5020 towards Deutsch Evern, Schützenstraße from Area 7 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 18 minutes. - Option 5:
Board a city bus 5600 towards Embsen, Schulzentrum from Area 14 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 18 minutes. - Option 6:
Board a city bus 5606 towards Melbeck, Gymnasium from Area 14 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 12 minutes.
(The bus stops near the university campus are indicated on the map provided above)
From Hannover to Lüneburg
GVH app (Android or iOS)
Step 1:
At the airport, board the S-Bahn line S5, heading towards Paderborn Hbf. Depart from the stop called Hannover Flughafen and disembark at Hannover Hbf, approximately 17 minutes later.
or
Book a Moia ridesharing service, available on demand via Android or iOS.
Step 2:
For a direct journey, take the ICE train (Deutsche Bahn) towards Hamburg Altona from Hannover Hbf and disembark at the railway station in Lüneburg, approximately 1 hour later.
or
Opt for a direct trip with a regional train (Metronom) on line RE3 towards Hamburg Hbf from Hannover Hbf. The travel time should take about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
or
Embark on a connecting trip with regional trains (Metronom) for approximately 2 hours of travel, including transfer time:
- Begin with Metronom line RE2 towards Uelzen from Hannover Hbf, disembarking at Uelzen.
- At the railways station in Uelzen transfer to Metronom line RE3 towards Hamburg Hbf. Complete the journey by alighting at railway station in Lüneburg.
Step 3:
Board the university shuttle bus, a regular city bus or alternatively a Taxi / Uber at the railway station in Lüneburg for onward travel as listed below:
- Option 1:
Board the university shuttle bus line 5001 towards Leuphana from Area 13 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Leuphana. Travel time is approximately 12 minutes. - Option 2:
Board a city bus line 5011 towards Eintracht-Sportplatz from Area 12 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Blücherstraße (Uni). Travel time is approximately 20 minutes. - Option 3:
Board a city bus 5012 towards Bernhard-Reimann-Straße from Area 10 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes. - Option 4:
Board a city bus 5020 towards Deutsch Evern, Schützenstraße from Area 7 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 18 minutes. - Option 5:
Board a city bus 5600 towards Embsen, Schulzentrum from Area 14 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 18 minutes. - Option 6:
Board a city bus 5606 towards Melbeck, Gymnasium from Area 14 at Bf. Lüneburg (ZOB). Disembark at Universitätsallee. Travel time is approximately 12 minutes.
(The bus stops near the university campus are indicated on the map provided above)
Accommodation Options
Selecting suitable accommodation is an opportunity to extend the overall experience of the event, offering a space for relaxation and rejuvenation following engaging conference programme and networking opportunities.
The subsequent lists present various options for hotels as well as boarding houses, hostels and guest rooms curated to provide comfort and convenience during your stay in Lüneburg.
Hotels
einzigartig – Das kleine Hotel im Wasserviertel
- Location: Lünertorstr. 3, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 112,50 €
- Location: Neue Sülze 24, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 115,50 €
- Location: Egersdorffstraße 1a, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 90,00 €
- Location: Am Berge 5, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from from 120,00 €
- Location: Kaufhausstraße 5, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 100,00 €
- Location: Lüner Straße 12-13, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 122,00 €
Best Western Plus Residenzhotel Lüneburg
- Location: Munstermannskamp 10, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 107,00 €
- Location: Bei der Lüner Mühle 3, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 119,00 €
- Location: Soltauer Str. 3, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 140,00 €
- Location: An der Wittenberger Bahn 3, 21337 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 72,00 €
Boarding Houses, Hostels, and Guest Rooms
- Location: Friedenstraße 11, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Double room from 226,00 €
Altstadt Gästehaus Drewes Wale
- Location: Auf der Altstadt 43, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Double room from 89,00 €
- Location: Reitende-Diener-Straße 3, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 73,00 €
- Location: Bei der St. Johanniskirche 5, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from from 90,00 €
Lüneburger Schrangen Suiten 1389
- Location: Obere Schrangenstraße, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Suite from 248,00 €
- Location: An der Münze, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Suite from 157,00 €
Apartment im Herzen von Lüneburg
- Location: Kleine Bäckerstraße, 21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Apartment from 174,00 €
- Location: b. d. St.Johanniskirche21335 Lüneburg
- Pricing: Single room from 78,00 €
Additional Information
To enhance your experience in Lüneburg during and after the event, we have compiled a curated list of recommended restaurants and sightseeing attractions. We encourage you to explore at least one venue and item from each list to fully immerse yourself in the city’s offerings.
Food and Drinks
Worth Visiting
- Museum Lüneburg
- Deutsches Salzmuseum (The German Salt Museum)
- Wasserturm Lüneburg (Lüneburg Water Tower)
- Rathaus Lüneburg (Lüneburg Town Hall)
- Lüneburger Heide (Lüneburg Heath)
- Overview of city and adventure tours
Download the participant information sheet:
ECAS – IDEA AND MISSION
In times of change and political uncertainty, it is essential to strengthen academic ties through developing joint projects and activities and extending one’s networks. It is ECAS’s ambition to facilitate exchange and cooperation as well as advance education and research with a strong focus on interdisciplinarity. In this way, ECAS is emblematic of the European idea.
ECAS is an independent and interdisciplinary research institute jointly run by Leuphana and the UofG. It provides academics, staff and students from Lower Saxony and Scotland with a platform to develop and carry out joint research, establish new educational programmes, pursue commercial and industrial engagements with other partners and support any other activity enhancing the bond between both regions.
FAQ
Fees
The participation in the Lower Saxony – Scotland Joint Forum 2024 is free of charge.
How do I register for the Joint Forum 2024?
Further information on the registration process will follow soon.
DATA PROTECTION | Lower Saxony - Scotland Joint Forum 2024
Data protection is of particular concern to us. Please click here for more information.
Previous Editions
Contact:
joint-forum@ecas-academia.org
Welcome Address
Jörg Philipp Terhechte
Info
Jörg Philipp Terhechte is Professor of Public, European and International Law at and Vice President of Leuphana University Lüneburg. He is Academic Director of the European Centre for Advanced Studies.
James Conroy
Info
James Conroy is Professor of Religious and Philosophical Education (Pedagogy, Praxis & Faith) and Dean of Global Engagement for Europe at the University of Glasgow. He is Academic Director of the European Centre for Advanced Studies.
Falko Mohrs
Info
Falko Mohrs is Lower Saxony’s Minister for Science and Culture since November 2022. He was a member of the German Bundestag from 2017 to 2022. Before, he worked as assistant to the managing director, sub-department head and then production coordinator at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg. He is member of the executive committee of the AWO for the district of Braunschweig and deputy spokesperson for the Lower Saxony/Bremen regional groups since 2018. Moreover, since 2019, he is member of the advisory board for digitalization of the city of Wolfsburg, deputy SPD sub-district chairman, and deputy SPD district chairman.
Photo: Lydia Boenisch
Panel I
Introduction
The topic of transformation of our energy systems has become a constant feature in our day-to-day lives. The first things that come to mind when speaking about this subject are climate change, renewable energies, and engineering. Yet, the energy transformation comprehends so much more. To understand the challenges related to the energy transformation and to provide solutions, it is necessary to consider the subject from a truly interdisciplinary perspective.
Therefore, this panel will offer an interdisciplinary discussion by renowned experts in the field of energy transition in a Lower Saxonian-Scottish context, focusing on aspects such as technology, law, economic policy, and social sciences, as well as sector integration. Such interdisciplinary perspectives are crucial for understanding the complex dynamics at play in transitioning from conventional to renewable energy sources, as well as the economic, social, and environmental implications of these shifts. It offers insights from these diverse disciplines, which allow researchers and policymakers to develop effective strategies to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future.
The panel represents the natural continuation of the open conversation initiated during the Joint Forum 2022, which led participants and speakers to jointly develop the White Paper “Energizing Democratic Partnerships – Securing Electricity from Democratic Friends”. The goal is to build a long-term strategic energy partnership between Lower Saxony and Scotland involving key players from academia, industry and policy makers.
Moderation
Gioia Falcone
Info
Professor Gioia Falcone is Rankine Chair at the University of Glasgow, where she is Head of the Energy and Sustainability Research Group, Associate Director of the Centre for Sustainable Solutions and member of the University’s Sustainability Working Group. She is also Visiting Professor at Imperial College London and Guest Professor at TU Berlin. Prof. Falcone is Vice-Chairperson of the Bureau of the Expert Group on Resource Management of the United Nations Commission for Europe (UNECE), Member of its Renewables Sub-Group and its focal point for the UNECE Pathways to Sustainable Energy & Carbon Neutrality Project. She sits on the BEIS (UK Government Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) Energy Working Group, chaired by the Chief Scientific Advisor to BEIS, advising on the development of Technical Screening Criteria in the energy sector for the UK Green Taxonomy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the International Geothermal Association (IGA), on the Board of the Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) and on the Directorate of Scottish Carbon Capture and Sequestration (SCCS). She is Member of the Net Zero Technology Centre Academic Advisory Panel, of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) and the UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC).
Between 2011 and early 2016, Prof. Falcone held the W3 Endowed Chair and Professorship in Geothermal Energy Systems at Clausthal University of Technology, Germany, where she was Head of the new Department of Geothermal Engineering and Integrated Energy Systems, and Director of the now Institute of Subsurface Energy
Systems.
You can contact her via gioia.falcone@glasgow.ac.uk.
Speakers
Daniel Friedrich
Info
Daniel Friedrich is Professor of Energy Systems at the University of Edinburgh, where he leads research on green heat and thermal energy storage. In his research, he focuses on the design and optimisation of dynamic energy systems. His main interest is the integration of thermal energy systems into the wider energy system to provide affordable, reliable and sustainable heat while, at the same time, supporting the decarbonisation of the energy system. You can contact him via d.friedrich@ed.ac.uk.
Claudia Kemfert
Info
Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert has headed the Energy, Transport and Environment Department at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) since 2004 and is Professor of Energy Economics and Energy Policy at Leuphana University. She is co-chair of the German Advisory Council on the Environment at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, as well as on the Executive Committee of the German Society of the Club of Rome; Kemfert is one of the most renowned experts in her field. She is the author of over 400 publications, including several books. Most recently, her new book “Shockwaves” was published in spring 2023. She can be contacted via sekretariat-evu@diw.de.
Photo: Oliver Betke
Angelique Mesch
Info
Angelique Mesch works for the Schneider Electric a leading company providing sustainable and future proof solutions. In her/his function as Green Hydrogen Segment Leader she mainly responsible for defining the Green hydrogen Strategy for the DACH region and understanding how the current product and service portfolio can be leveraged to propel the green hydrogen economy, supporting as such the industry players to scale up at a low total cost of ownership. Her particular interests lie in anything regarding diversity and inclusion as well as renewables energies and sustainability topics.
Stephan Barth
Info
Stephan Barth has been working in the wind energy sector for 20 years. Since 2008 he is the managing director of the Center for Wind Energy Research of the Universities of Oldenburg, Hannover and Bremen (ForWind). Stephan studied physics and holds a PhD in natural sciences from the University of Oldenburg. Next to other roles he is Chairman of the International Energy Agency Technology Collaboration Programme Wind Energy Systems (IEA TCP Wind), Joint Programme Coordinator for Wind Energy of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA JP Wind) and Vice-chair of the European Technology and Innovation Platform Wind Energy (ETIPWind). He can be contacted via stephan.barth@forwind.de.
Alexander Bedrunka
Info
Dr. Alexander Bedrunka is a hydrogen expert and project manager of the Hydrogen Network of Lower Saxony. He advises and supports politics, businesses, and science in accelerating the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy.
Panel II
Introduction
After Brexit and the exclusion of Great Britain from the EU’s prominent funding programme Horizon, Scottish researchers had to deal with the loss of a very important funding source for research and innovation. The end of ERASMUS has led to a stark decline in European students coming to Scotland and less opportunities for Scottish students to study abroad.
In January 2024, the UK has become an associated country to Horizon Europe. The UK and Scotland are seeking alternatives to replace ERASMUS and there is the opportunity to develop Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. It is precisely now, where first seeds have been planted, to discuss how the resource of an already established network between higher education institutions may be best used to position Scottish and Lower Saxonian researchers to make successful funding applications, in particular on the European level, to increase student mobility and to facility the development of joint study programmes. Similarly, the involvement of other actors from industry, such as small- and medium sized undertakings should be encouraged and ideas for building a bridge between academia and industry developed.
The regions of Lower Saxony and Scotland have certain commonalities, which have the potential to make this partnership thrive in a European funding context, such as e.g. in renewable energies and sustainability. Both regions have expertise and resort to the use of wind, tidal and solar power. Projects advancing renewable energy solutions by using new technologies focusing on energy efficiency and security could be developed. There are more examples, where Lower Saxonian and Scottish interest align such as in the areas of marine science and costal management, life sciences, security, mobility, or cultural heritage.
We should ask ourselves the following questions:
- How do we best position ourselves for the future?
- How do we generate successful joint funding applications?
- How may we overcome barriers to student mobility?
- How do we better connect industry and academia?
- How may we best use the available resources and the already existing network?
By answering these questions, ideas may form and translate into concrete strategies for the further development of this unique network.
Moderation
Markus Reihlen
Info
Prof. Dr. Markus Reihlen is Professor of Strategic Management at Leuphana University Lüneburg. From 2010 to 2012 he was Graduate School Dean of Studies and from 2012 until 2020 Vice President responsible for the Leuphana Graduate School, Young Academics and Entrepreneurship. He can be contacted via markus.reihlen@leuphana.de
Speakers
Anne H Anderson
Info
Professor Emerita Anne H Anderson is Vice President for Research at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s national academy. A former Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow, Anne was involved in the early discussions and visits between Glasgow and Leuphana University in 2019 as developing a joint endeavour was explored. A psychologist by background, Anne has led research projects on communication and communication technologies, funded by UK research councils, industry and the EU. Anne is a firm believer in the benefits of international collaboration in research and education. In addition to her role with the RSE, Anne chairs the UK National Commission for UNESCO and holds the Higher Education role
within the UK commission. In her UNESCO role she is very proud of having played a significant role in the development and ratification of the Global Convention on the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications.
Julia Ilina-Kakueva
Info
Julia Ilina is a Programme Officer at the German Research Foundation (DFG).Within the group of International Affairs she is responsible for the cooperation with South Eastern Europe, incl. the West Balkan Countries. She is in charge of the establishment and
maintenance of partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the field of science and research. She is also involved in the DFG initiative Networking for Research – Universities of Applied Sciences and Researchers Worldwide (UDIF-HAW). Through this initiative, the
DFG seeks to reach out to German universities of applied sciences that focus on application-oriented research in an international context. She can be contacted via julia.ilina@dfg.de.
Frank Wessel
Info
Dr. Frank Wessel works for Enterprise Europe Network Niedersachsen @NBank. In his function as bank manager, he is mainly responsible for supporting businesses which seek to expand into international markets. His particular interests lie in the startup advisory. He can be contacted via frank.wessel@nbank.de.
Moritz Dütemeyer
Info
Moritz Dütemeyer holds the esteemed position of deputy Head of Unit for European and International Affairs at the Ministry of Science and Culture for Lower Saxony (MWK) since December 2022. His previous professional experience includes being entrusted with the role of Head of the Minister’s and State Secretary’s office in the MWK. From 2014 to 2020, he was an adviser on Foreign and Constitutional Affairs at the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg.
Jörg Philipp Terhechte
Info
Jörg Philipp Terhechte is Professor of Public, European and International Law at and Vice President of Leuphana University Lüneburg. He is Academic Director of the European Centre for Advanced Studies.
Closing Remark
Reception
William Radford
Info
William studies Sustainability Science at Leuphana University and is currently writing his master’s thesis with the ecology department. He is a saxophonist in the Leuphana BigBand and enjoys going on bike tours and canoeing in his free time.
Konstantin Egensperger
Info
Konstantin studies International Business Administration & Entrepeneurship at Leuphana University Lüneburg. His interests lie in Music, especially in playing piano and playing music together with other musicians.
Welcome Address
Gioia Falcone
Info
Professor Gioia Falcone is Rankine Chair at the University of Glasgow, where she is Head of the Energy and Sustainability Research Group, Associate Director of the Centre for Sustainable Solutions and member of the University’s Sustainability Working Group. She is also Visiting Professor at Imperial College London and Guest Professor at TU Berlin. Prof. Falcone is Vice-Chairperson of the Bureau of the Expert Group on Resource Management of the United Nations Commission for Europe (UNECE), Member of its Renewables Sub-Group and its focal point for the UNECE Pathways to Sustainable Energy & Carbon Neutrality Project. She sits on the BEIS (UK Government Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) Energy Working Group, chaired by the Chief Scientific Advisor to BEIS, advising on the development of Technical Screening Criteria in the energy sector for the UK Green Taxonomy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the International Geothermal Association (IGA), on the Board of the Energy Technology Partnership (ETP) and on the Directorate of Scottish Carbon Capture and Sequestration (SCCS). She is Member of the Net Zero Technology Centre Academic Advisory Panel, of the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) and the UK Carbon Capture and Storage Research Centre (UKCCSRC).
Between 2011 and early 2016, Prof. Falcone held the W3 Endowed Chair and Professorship in Geothermal Energy Systems at Clausthal University of Technology, Germany, where she was Head of the new Department of Geothermal Engineering and Integrated Energy Systems, and Director of the now Institute of Subsurface Energy
Systems.
You can contact her via gioia.falcone@glasgow.ac.uk.
Anne H Anderson
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Professor Emerita Anne H Anderson is Vice President for Research at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s national academy. A former Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow, Anne was involved in the early discussions and visits between Glasgow and Leuphana University in 2019 as developing a joint endeavour was explored. A psychologist by background, Anne has led research projects on communication and communication technologies, funded by UK research councils, industry and the EU. Anne is a firm believer in the benefits of international collaboration in research and education. In addition to her role with the RSE, Anne chairs the UK National Commission for UNESCO and holds the Higher Education role
within the UK commission. In her UNESCO role she is very proud of having played a significant role in the development and ratification of the Global Convention on the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications.
Workshop I
The USE-LESS Centre at Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen (Gray’s School of Art), and Heriot-Watt University (School of Textiles and Design Galashiels) have long been collaborating on sustainable design strategies in fashion and textiles. The aim is to implement sustainability in teaching in both countries and to train designers who take responsibility in society and design textiles, fashion and clothing in a resource-saving, beautiful and socially responsible way. In recent years, the topic of “local resources” has become increasingly important prompting a detailed exploration during a mill tour in Scotland in September 2023. Students from various programs visited partner universities and textile factories in the Scottish Borders to understand regional production and materials. A return visit to Lower Saxony is planned for 2024.
The workshop provides a platform for students and teachers to share their insights and perspectives gained through the joint projects and in particular the Milltour in Scotland and discuss the tour’s findings and plans for the upcoming visit to Lower Saxony.
Britta Kalkreuter
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Dr. Britta Kalkreuter is an Associate Professor of Design Studies at the School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University, where she also currently serves as Director of Research. Her research focuses on heritage and innovation in design, with an emphasis on how exploring heritage may be harnessed as one guiding resource to transform design practices in the face of current challenges. With a particular interest in climate emergency and marginalisation of communities, her work is positioned within the UNSDG framework and explores responsible production and consumption and associated environmental and socio-economic goals. Connecting object and archive-based investigations with ethnographic methods, and by seeking collaborators from fields such as economics, computer sciences and engineering, interdisciplinary aspects of innovation, material practices and knowledge transmission are as central as local and global aspects of production and consumption scenarios, which she explores within several international networks.
Josie Steed
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Josie Steed is Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University. Her research interests focus on sustainable practices in fashion and textiles and the use of immersive technologies to tell stories of place, provenance, and people. She is interested in fostering design innovation and Knowledge Exchange collaboration and has extensive experience as a researcher working with textile manufacturing businesses both in Scotland and internationally.
Maria Silies
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Maria Silies is a research assistant at the USE-LESS Centre for Sustainable Strategies at Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. She is a fashion and textile designer with several years of experience in the industry. She holds a BA in Fashion Design from Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts and an MA in Fashion & Textiles from Heriot-Watt University in Galashiels, where she focused her research on the innovative reuse of wool remnants in the Scottish textile sector. With experience in both German and Scottish contexts, Maria actively participates in projects for the Scotland Initiative. She is particularly interested in the use of local resources, especially the use of regional wool.
Jule Eidam
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Jule Eidam is a research assistant at the USE-LESS Centre for Sustainable Strategies at Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Her current research focuses on sustainable biobased materials and its best use. In her master’s thesis “Changing Room – Space for Change for a Sustainable Approach to Clothing”, she developed an educational program in a museum context that links the circular economy with sustainability. In addition to her teaching activities she also gives numerous workshops on sustainable design strategies and how to deal with one’s own clothing consumption.
Workshop II
In the hospital context, Infection prevention and control (IPC) has been described by the world health organization (WHO) as an evidence-based approach to prevent patients and healthcare workers from avoidable infections. However, protection against infection may conflict with protection of the climate and the environment, e.g. due to the high use of energy, the generation of waste and the introduction of eco toxicologically relevant antimicrobial agents as well as the use of disposable products. As a result, intrinsic conflicts between optimal IPC and optimal climate protection may arise, which require careful risk assessment. Endangering patients by reducing measures necessary for IPC must be avoided in any case. In our workshop, we therefore aim to explore potential strategies for hospitals to identify areas and settings, in which their environmental footprint could potentially be reduced without increasing the patient infection risk. To reach this goal, we will first give every participant a common knowledge base by introducing the topic in two talks presenting examples for success from both national viewpoints. The most important framework conditions for the successful implementation of such projects are discussed together in a World Café.
The workshop is open for all students, academics, researchers and hospital staff with background or interest in sustainability, medicine, infection prevention and control as well as public health.
Anna Bludau
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Anna Bludau, M. Sc. Public Health, works as a researcher at the Department of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases at the University Medical Center Göttingen. She is responsible for the coordination of two national projects. Her particular interest lie in climate change and infectious diseases, sustainability in the
healthcare sector as well as pandemic preparedness. Anna believes that interdisciplinary cooperation at eye level is particularly important for the success of projects. She can be contacted via Anna.bludau@med.uni-goettingen.de.
Axel Kramer
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Axel Kramer is retired professor, but still still working as consultant at the Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine of the University Medicine Greifswald, Germany. His research focuses on control of healthcare associated infections, hand hygiene, antisepsis
and implementation of possibilities for sustainable development in the field of hospital hygiene. As editor in chief of the Journal GMS Hygiene and Infection Control he promotes articles on sustainable development through new hygienic solutions. He can be contacted via kramer@uni-greifswald.de
Anna Munro
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Anna Munro works in the public sector for ARHAI (Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection) Scotland. In her role as Nurse Manager for Infection Prevention and Control she is mainly responsible for supporting the collection of national incident and outbreak data plus associated clinical information, supporting local health boards with IPC queries or concerns, developing evidence-based, operational national guidance and day-to-day management of a team of Senior IPC Nurses. Her interests lie in infection transmission routes and infection transmission precautions and how IPC guidance can be seen as an enabler rather than a barrier in the sustainability agenda. She enjoys developing and creating networks across multi-disciplinary teams to align goals and outcomes. She can be contacted via anna.munro5@nhs.scot
Nicolás Reinoso Schiller
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Nicolás Reinoso Schiller is a researcher specializing in healthcare and infection prevention and control. Currently based within the Department of Infection Prevention and Control at the University Medical Center Göttingen, he has diligently pursued his academic and research endeavors. Nicolas completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, followed by a Master of Science degree from the Humboldt University in Berlin. Noteworthy among his accomplishments is his recent receipt of the B. Braun Foundation grant for young researchers in 2022, which supported his project, GAST-HYGIENE. This project underscores his commitment to employing innovative behavioral approaches to enhance hand hygiene practices. In his role as the Scientific Co-Lead of the Staff Healthcare Research Group since 2021, he actively contributes to fostering research initiatives with a modest yet dedicated approach. He can be contacted via nicolas.reinoso-schiller@med.uni-goettingen.de
Simone Scheithauer
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Prof. Simone Scheithauer is director and W3 ordinaria of the Department of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases at the University Medical Center Göttingen. She is a specialist in hygiene and environmental medicine as well as a specialist in microbiology, virology and infectious disease epidemiology and infectious diseases.
Since 2024, she has been a member of the “Health and Resilience” expert panel at the Federal Chancellery (BKAmt). Since 2023, she has been an appointed member of the Scientific Advisory Board on Public Health Microbiology at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI); since 2019, she has been an appointed member of the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) at the RKI. She is an associate member of “Airborne Transmission COVID-19”; at the MPI for Dynamics and Self-Organisation in Göttingen since 2021 and a member of the Supervisory Board of Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (HZI) Braunschweig since 2020. Since 2022, she has been Vice President of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie (DGHM) and Member of the advisory board “Plasma for Life”, and since 2018, she has been a member of the
Scientific Advisory Board of the Medical Faculty Bielefeld. In her work, she focuses on infection prevention and control in the hospital setting. One major focus is bridging knowledge and information across different faculties and sectors in the healthcare system. She works on innovative surveillance strategies, individualized risk factor identification and focused interventions in order to improve effectiveness and efficacy of infection prevention and control. With respect to the context of this joint forum, she works on improving suitability of infection prevention and control measures with ecological sustainability: as an example, she is the spokesperson of a recently published comment of the KRINKO on appropriate
usage of medical gloves with respect to sustainability from the ecological point of view. She is the head of the consortia project HOPE “Hospital hygiene Preventing Emissions” aiming at compiling a matrix which brings together the potential of decreasing the ecological footprint by maintaining patient safety with respect to hospital aquired infections due to modification of infection prevention and control measures. Simone Scheithauer led 13 officially funded project during the last 10 years. She can be contacted via krankenhaushygiene.leitung@med.uni-goettingen.de.
Paul Weaving
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Paul Weaving works in the public sector with NHS Scotland Assure and ARHAI (Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infection) Scotland as a Nurse Consultant, Infection Prevention and Control. His responsibilities include assessing potential infection risks in proposed healthcare facilities and supporting local infection prevention and control teams. He is also an honorary lecturer with
the University of Dundee, specialising in infection risks associated with the healthcare built environment. Paul has worked in a variety of hospital, community, and national roles in England and Scotland, has authored several articles and book chapters, and is a former editor of the Journal of Infection Prevention. In 2018 he was awarded honorary membership of the Infection Prevention Society. He can be contacted via Paul.Weaving@nhs.scot
Workshop III
Lower Saxony and Scotland – just like many other regions in the Global North – are currently undergoing fundamental transformations. They are endeavouring to transform themselves into more sustainable, greener and emission-free societies and are undertaking a wide range of efforts to achieve this goal.
Raw materials such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, copper, and rare earths are essential in this context. However, the extraction of these materials is often accompanied by massive human rights violations and damage to the environment in the producing countries and particularly affects the countries of the Global South. As a result, the green transformation of the Global North often comes at the expense of the people in the Global South.
The workshop aims to address this constellation and discuss the moral, ethical and legal consequences of this.
Stephanie de Sousa Vieira
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Stephanie de Sousa Vieira is a Ph.D. candidate at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, exploring the intersection of Business, International Law, and Sustainability. Her research centers on addressing and preventing global supply chain damage in the Global South, with emphasis on Brazil, aiming to contribute legal solutions for sustainable development and corporate responsibility. She can be contacted via Stephanie.Vieira@stud.leuphana.de
Saumya Raval
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Saumya Raval is a doctoral candidate at Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany, focusing on the intersection of Business, Human Rights, and Governance. His research explores inclusive sustainability in Global Value Chains, with a particular emphasis on the perspectives of the Global South within extractive and apparel industries. He can be contacted via Saumya.Raval@stud.leuphana.de
Bennett Collins
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Dr Bennett Collins is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen where he teaches on energy, environmental, and climate politics. His research has largely centred around the inequities in supply chain politics and
policies, climate justice, and historical dialogue. He can be contacted via Bennett.Collins@abdn.ac.uk
Matthias Packeiser
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Dr. Matthias Packeiser is the academic manager of the Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law at Leuphana University Lüneburg. He conducts research on international law, its historical and theoretical foundations, and the understanding of (Eurocentric) international law from the perspective of the Global South. He completed his doctorate at the University of Hamburg (Germany) and Tilburg University (the Netherlands). He can be contacted via matthias.packeiser@leuphana.de
Workshop IV
This workshop will explore social mobility and access to higher education within Scotland and Lower Saxony, with a particular focus on social class. Taking a comparative approach, participants will be asked to consider the challenges and successes in widening access to higher education.
It will focus on:
- Patterns of representation within higher education (Who attends university, who doesn’t, who are the under-represented groups?)
- Barriers to participation (Why do some groups not attend? Does the school system play a part in social stratification? Are universities the gatekeepers of entry?)
- Government policy around participation/inequalities in higher education (Are there national or state strategies to promote social mobility? Are policies helping or hindering access to university?)
- Effective practice to support access to higher education (What is being done to remove or mitigate barriers? Do we know what works?)
- How comparative approaches can stimulate understanding and the sharing of best practice?
Stephanie McKendry
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Dr. Stephanie McKendry is Deputy Director of Student Experience at the University of Strathclyde where she has responsibility for equality, diversity and inclusion, widening access and admissions, careers and employability. Stephanie supported the Scottish Commissioner for Fair Access as Researcher/Implementation Advisor from 2016 to 2020, has been a member of two National Expert Think Tanks on fair admissions, sits on the Universities Scotland Admissions Working Group and the Scottish Government’s Access Delivery Group. Stephanie is an editor of the Journal for Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning and led the award winning TransEDU research project exploring the experiences of trans and gender diverse students and staff within Scottish tertiary education. She can be contacted via stephanie.mckendry@strath.ac.uk.
Kelly Stewart
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Kelly Stewart is an ESRC funded PhD Candidate at the University of Strathclyde, within the Institute of Education. In her research she focuses on equity around social class across Higher Education Institutions in Scotland. Her main interest is in exploring Widening Access policy and the ways in which HEIs seek to understand the lives of students from widening access backgrounds, addressing students’ needs within HE, or not. Of interest is the use of implicit and explicit bias around social class as a way of explaining the approaches taken and mechanisms put in place, or lack thereof, by HEIs. She can be contacted via Kelly-stewart@strath.ac.uk.
Closing Address
Christoph Kleineberg
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Christoph is the Managing Director of ECAS. Prior to this position, he was coordinating the international and digital programmes at Leuphana Professional School. His mission has always been to build bridges and facilitate international (academic) cooperation.
Karolina Michniewicz
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Karolina holds a master’s degree in Culture, Arts and Media from Leuphana University Lüneburg and a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Wrocław. Her academic interests cover cultural organisations and their impact upon urban space and society.