Hamburg Networking Conference

Registration and Welcome @Guesthouse Hamburg (Rothenbaumchaussee 34)

Moin Moin! at the University of Hamburg

Keynote: Courtney Peltzer-Hönicke

Opening Reception with a welcome by the president of the University of Hamburg and Finger Food @Guesthouse Hamburg

Workshop 1

1.1 Anti-Racism Approaches in Higher Education (Room N6/8)

The implementation of anti-racist practices within universities varies significantly, creating a complex and dynamic landscape in higher education. By understanding these different approaches, we can gain valuable insights into effective strategies and the challenges that institutions face. Exploring anti-racist practices in academia is crucial for fostering inclusive environments that recognize and support all members of the university community. We invite you to join us for an engaging workshop that will critically examine racism in universities, with a specific focus on counseling, teaching and administration. This interactive session is designed to provide a platform for participants to share their experiences and strategies.

Together we will explore essential questions such as: What is needed to promote a non-discriminatory environment in these areas? How can we build alliances to effectively tackle racism in higher education?

We encourage all participants to contribute their perspectives and insights for a rich and meaningful dialogue on these pressing issues.

Responsible Contact: Jin Jlussi, Sonja Kanemaki, Dr. Philipp Dorestal (befragung-rassismuskritik@uni-hamburg.de) 

1.2. Internationalization at home through certificate programs (Room N65/67)

By fostering global competencies and enhancing cross-cultural understanding, institutions can prepare graduates for an increasingly interconnected world. As not all students have the opportunity to study abroad during their academic pursuits, Internationalization at Home serves as an essential tool for achieving the goal of cultivating global competencies. This session will discuss the concept of Internationalization at Home and its significance in higher education. It will also explore the benefits of certificate programs in facilitating internationalization. Participants will examine existing programs at various universities, exchange best practices, and develop ideas for innovative certificate formats.

Responsible Contact: Lisa Decker (lisa.decker@uni-hamburg.de)

Workshop 2

2.1. Roundtable on military research and its impact on international collaboration (Room N65/67)

Brief summary: In Germany, civil and military research have traditionally been separated. Conflict and geopolitical crisis have led to a debate in Germany around military and defense research and whether public universities should abolish the traditional separation of civil and defense research. This discussing has been advanced by the EU decision from February 2024 to cut its Horizon Europe budget (EUR 95.5 billion) by EUR 2.1 billion, with EUR 1.5 billion being diverted to defense research. The roundtable invites participants to share their perspectives on the role of universities in an era of conflict and whether universities should (and can) be places for military and defense research. Within the discussion, participants will discuss potential effects of the current trends in Germany and the EU on international cooperation and ethical considerations.

Responsible Contact: Jan Frömming (jan.froemming@uni-hamburg.de)

2.2. Cultivating Global Perspectives: Staff Development for International Higher Education (Room N6/8)

As universities have become increasingly interconnected and globally oriented institutions over the past decades, the requirements and challenges faced by university administration have changed. This shift requires a reevaluation of how institutions support and train their employees to succeed in this international academic environment. This session will investigate how to design training programs that foster global competence of administrative staff. Participants will examine existing programs at various universities, exchange best practices, and develop ideas for innovative staff development formats.

Responsible Contact: Dr. Elisabeth Trepesch (elisabeth.trepesch@uni-hamburg.de), Dr. Dina Gericke (dina.gericke@uni-hamburg.de)

Workshop 3

3.1 Supporting at-risk academics (Room N6/8)

In a world characterized by conflict and geopolitical volatility more and more researchers are at-risk in their home countries and cannot continue their academic careers there. Since 2015 at-risk academics can get funding through the Philipp Schwartz Initiative in order to continue their careers at German research institutions. In addition, there are other local, regional, national and international initiatives to support researchers at risk. This session will give an overview over the different networks and programs supporting at-risk academics and will examine how host institutions can support the researchers in continuing their academic careers.

Responsible Contact: Kristin Günther, Jin Jlussi (international-scholars@uni-hamburg.de)

3.2. Internationalization of Teaching (Room N65/67) 

What does internationalization in teaching actually mean – beyond mobility and English-taught programmes? In the first part of this workshop, we will open a shared space for reflection, exchange, and inspiration. Drawing on current discus-sions and examples from University of Hamburg, the session invites participants to explore how teaching can become more globally connected, inclusive, and rele-vant for diverse student groups – even without physical mobility. Key concepts and strategic approaches will serve as starting points for discussion and ideas.
The second part of the workshop brings these ideas to life: we present a concrete teaching collaboration. During the summer term of 2025, students from Hamburg University (UHH) and University College Groningen (UCG) participated in the inter-disciplinary seminar Dis/abling Cities, which explored issues of inclusion and ac-cessibility in urban spaces. After an intensive joint workshop held in Groningen in March, the student teams continued their collaboration both locally and online throughout the semester. In June, they presented their project outcomes during dedicated Project Presentation Days at both universities. We will outline the struc-ture and objectives of the seminar and showcase the students’ final projects.

Responsible Contact: Jana Hesse (jana.hesse@uni-hamburg.de), Univ.-Prof. Dr. Sophie Witt (sophie.witt@uni-hamburg.de), Franziska Kutzick (franziska.kutzick@uni-hamburg.de)

Workshop 4

4.1. Sustainability and internationalization (Room N6/N8)

As with most aspects of our current global landscape, knowledge acquisition is a sinuous road with many challenges when it comes to equity within local and global societies. The goal of this workshop is to think beyond the scope of what should be done in order to propose what we can do now to create even more opportunities and therefore a more equitable knowledge access. Universities, as essential institutions of education around the globe, have a unique responsibility and privilege in shaping this road. Here enters the potential of Open Education Resources, with its capacity to provide equal access and bridge the educational gap faced by many in different circumstances. The practicability and accessibility provided by all the current digital learning platforms, have already successfully contributed for the expansion of knowledge equity and, with continued efforts, is the one of the most effective tools to long lasting change.

But what does equity within our current context look like? And how can continuous cooperation between international universities promote this goal through Open Education Resources while withholding equity’s values and principles? 

Responsible Contact: Marta Piergrossi (marta.piergrossi@uni-hamburg.de)

4.2. Meet & Greet with UHH students (Campus Fest)

We are pleased to invite you to meet our students at the Campus Fest taking place on the main campus. The Campus Fest is UHH’s summer party offering a mix of information, hands-on activities, food and live music. Join us at the booth of the Department of international Affairs: in an easygoing atmosphere, you will have a unique opportunity to engage with our students and present your university as an attractive host institution abroad. Afterwards, let’s enjoy the Campus Fest with drinks and music!

Responsible Contact: Annette Listmann (annette.listmann@uni-hamburg.de)

Workshop 5

5.1. MIN För Hamburg – Building an International Alumni Network (Room N6/8)

This workshop focuses on "Building an International Alumni Network" as part of the DAAD-funded project "MIN För Hamburg."

We will:

 - Give a short overview of the "MIN För Hamburg" project, its objectives, and its relevance to addressing the skills shortage in Germany.

- Introduce the Value Proposition Canvas as a tool for developing a successful alumni network.

- Collaborate in groups to identify the needs and opportunities for international alumni.

- Share best practices and discuss strategies for effective network building.

 The "MIN För Hamburg" project aims to support international students at the University of Hamburg, from the application phase through to career integration. By fostering a robust alumni network, we aim to increase job placement opportunities and create lasting connections between graduates and potential employers.

Responsible Contact: Franziska Werner-Saidi (franziska.werner-saidi@uni-hamburg.de), Noomi Peter (noomi.peter@uni-hamburg.de)

Workshop 6

6.1. Creating Engaging Video Content for Social Media; Part 1 (Room N71/73; participation is limited; early arrival is recommended)

Workshop focusing on the production of short videos for social media, including strategies for balancing social media trends with the image of a “serious” university.

Participants will gain insight into communication and narrative techniques that are particularly effective for reaching a young audience via video-based social media content such as short videos on Instagram or TikTok. The primary aim of the workshop is to provide ideas about how experimenting with new formats and channels – along with improving storytelling techniques – can increase your visibility and help you reach a wider and more diverse network via social media. The workshop will also demonstrate how working in a diverse team of junior and senior communication advisers and content producers can support your goals of reaching certain audiences, such as younger target groups.

Responsible Contacts (workshop content): Trude Haugseth Moe (trude.h.moe@uit.no), Elisabet Aaraas (elisabet.aaraas@uit.no), UiT-The Arctic University of Norway

Responsible Contact (local organization): Jessica Mann (jessica.mann@uni-hamburg.de)

6.2. Global Responsibility Framework (Room N6/8)

This interactive workshop invites participants to collaboratively develop innovative concepts for fostering responsible, equitable, and sustainable institutional partnerships with countries and regions creating diverse networks addressing the respective regional and socio-economic frameworks. The session will focus on creating strategies that move beyond individual, project-based efforts toward coordinated, long-term collaboration. Participants will work in small groups to explore how academic partnerships can support mutual capacity building, enable inclusive knowledge exchange, and strengthen institutional resilience. The workshop will also reflect on how such ideas can be aligned with the priorities of international funding agencies, laying the groundwork for potential future proposals.

 Responsible Contact: Eva Leptien (eva.leptien@uni-hamburg.de), Antje Katzschner (antje.katzschner@uni-hamburg.de)

Workshop 7

7.1 Creating Engaging Video Content for Social Media; Part 2 (Room 71/73; participation is limited; early arrival is recommended)

Responsible Contacts (workshop content): Trude Haugseth Moe (trude.h.moe@uit.no), Elisabet Aaraas (elisabet.aaraas@uit.no), UiT-The Arctic University of Norway

Responsible Contact (local organization): Jessica Mann (jessica.mann@uni-hamburg.de)

7.2. Blended Intensive Programmes (Room N65/67)

Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) allow students to engage in cross-border collaboration without the time and financial commitment required for traditional mobility formats, while still benefiting from in-person interactions and cultural immersion.

The aim of this workshop is to explore how these programs can be implemented and to discuss potential challenges that may arise.

Participants will share their ideas and practices to explore new ways of supporting the students and develop mobility opportunities and services that are truly aligned with the needs of students. This will allow us to not only meet the current demands of student mobility but also to proactively shape its future by incorporating more flexible, inclusive, and innovative approaches.

Responsible Contact: Nadine Stäcker (erasmus.coordination@uni-hamburg.de)