College Station, TX

Academic Security and Counter Exploitation (ASCE) 2026 program

UA Ruhr is excited to participate in the Academic Security and Counter Exploitation (ASCE) 2026 program, hosted by the Texas A&M University System's RISC Institute.​

Date: February 24–26, 2026
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

ASCE 2026, the 10th annual gathering, unites university research security professionals worldwide to address emerging threats through training, networking, and collaboration. The theme, "Securing Knowledge Across Borders: Strengthening International Research Partnerships," covers institutional policies, global collaborations, adaptive strategies, and workforce development.​

Click Here for more information and registration.

Online

International DAAD Academy - Regional Competence United States of America: Challenges and Opportunities for University Cooperation

Priya S. Nayar will contribute to the two-day online program sharing best practices in German–American university cooperation. Drawing on UA Ruhr’s experience as a long-standing alliance of three leading research universities, the presentation highlights effective models for transatlantic collaboration, institutional partnership-building, and sustainable academic exchange in a complex U.S. higher education landscape.

New York, NY

GACC NY 30th Anniversary of the J-1 Visa Designation

UA Ruhr will participate in the 30th Anniversary of the J-1 Visa Designation, hosted by the German American Chamber of Commerce New York (GACC NY) in New York City. The event celebrates three decades of the J-1 visa program and its vital role in fostering transatlantic mobility, workforce development, and international talent exchange between Germany and the United States.

Date: February 26, 2026
Location: GACC NY Office, 7 World Trade Center, New York, NY
Time: 8:30-11:30 am 

Priya S. Nayar, Executive Director of University Alliance Ruhr, will join the program as a panelist, contributing insights on international academic cooperation and mobility. UA Ruhr’s collaboration with GACC NY builds on shared goals of strengthening institutional partnerships and advancing international exchange through flagship fellowship programs.

In addition, UA Ruhr intern Lasse Spellerberg will share perspectives from UA Ruhr’s work at the intersection of research collaboration, academic exchange, and partnership-building across Germany and North America.

The program will also feature an overview of the J-1 visa framework, followed by a moderated panel discussion and networking.

RSVP Here.

Online

PhD to Passport (Europe Edition)

PhD to Passport (P2P): Europe Edition is a two-day virtual career exploration and networking event designed for early-career biomedical scientists interested in professional opportunities in Europe.

The event connects PhD students and postdoctoral researchers with professionals working across academia, industry, and non-profit sectors, offering insights into career paths beyond the United States. Through panel discussions and interactive sessions, participants will learn about working environments, mobility options, and career transitions in a European context.

The program features speakers and panelists from a range of institutions and organizations, sharing first-hand experiences and practical advice on building international careers.

Date: March 4–5, 2026
Location: Online (virtual)

Register here:
https://events.humanitix.com/phd-to-passport-europe

Dublin, Ireland

Festival of Ideas: Living in a State of Permacrisis

The Festival of Ideas: Living in a State of Permacrisis is a one-day public humanities festival exploring how societies, scholars, and artists respond to interconnected global crises and to permacrisis as a persistent condition shaping contemporary life.

As part of the festival, Academy in Exile will present the exhibition “What We Brought With Us” and contribute to discussions on home, belonging, migration, and intellectual freedom. The exhibition reflects on displacement, memory, and knowledge production in exile.

Academy in Exile will be represented by Egemen Özbek, Coordinator of the Academy in Exile, and Svitlana Kononchuk, whose research focuses on authoritarian governance and democratic erosion.

The festival features talks, panel discussions, workshops, performances, and exhibitions, with contributions from internationally renowned writers, artists, and researchers.

Date: March 10, 2026
Location: Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLi), Dublin

RSVP Here for free.

Dortmund, Germany

Ruhr Fellowship Society: Introductory Meeting in Dortmund

Alumni of UA Ruhr’s flagship fellowship programs are part of the Ruhr Fellowship Society - a growing network dedicated to sustaining and strengthening transatlantic connections across cohorts.

During an upcoming visit to Dortmund, UA Ruhr will host an informal in-person meeting for engaged alumni interested in contributing to the Ruhr Fellowship Society’s Steering Committee. The meeting offers the opportunity to actively help shape the future direction of alumni engagement, programming, and community-building within the UA Ruhr fellowship network. It will also serve as a platform for networking and exchange among fellowship cohorts.

Betlehem, PA

Technical Entrepreneurship Week at Lehigh University

UA Ruhr is pleased to announce an upcoming edition of TU Dortmund’s DLAB Technical Entrepreneurship (TE) Week, an intensive, hands-on program focused on technology transfer, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. Building on the success of previous transatlantic collaborations, the program will bring together students from TU Dortmund and Lehigh University to work in interdisciplinary teams. Through close collaboration, mentorship, and applied project work, TE Week offers participants a unique opportunity to explore entrepreneurship across academic cultures and innovation ecosystems.

Cincinnati, OH

Garden(s) of Refuge Symposium at University of Cincinnati

UA Ruhr is pleased to announce the upcoming Garden(s) of Refuge Symposium at the University of Cincinnati, a day-long academic event exploring the Garden of Refuge as a site for teaching, research, and scholarly exchange. As a founding member of the project led by Academy in Exile, UA Ruhr contributes to shaping this transatlantic initiative, which highlights the long-standing strategic partnership between UC and UA Ruhr. The symposium will examine green and contemplative spaces as alternative learning environments, engaging themes of ecology, wellbeing, migration, and academic freedom. It will feature keynote lectures, panel discussions, and moderated conversations designed to foster sustained U.S.–German collaboration across disciplines.

New York, NY

UA Ruhr Pre-Concert Reception at the Sound Understanding Concert

UA Ruhr will host its annual pre-concert reception for alumni and friends ahead of Sound Understanding 2026, marking the fifth year of this tradition. Presented by the DAAD and the DAAD Alumni Association, the concert features outstanding DAAD Music Fellows from Germany studying in the U.S. and Canada. The 2026 concert will take place in person on April 16 and showcase classical and jazz performances by the 2025/26 fellows.

Orlando, FL

NAFSA Conference

UA Ruhr will be represented in the German Pavilion at the NAFSA Annual Conference in Orlando, highlighting the alliance’s commitment to transatlantic academic cooperation. As a joint presence of Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, and the University of Duisburg-Essen, UA Ruhr will engage with international partners to further strengthen bilateral relations, exchange opportunities, and collaborative models connecting Germany with the United States, Canada, and beyond. If you are in Orlando this summer, please get in touch with our office via intern@uaruhr.de

Ruhr Area, Germany

Ruhr Fellowship Program

The Ruhr Fellowship Program is UA Ruhr’s flagship transatlantic initiative, offering graduate students and early-career researchers from North America the opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience in Germany’s Ruhr region. Through placements with leading universities, research institutes, and industry partners, the program fosters academic exchange, professional development, and long-term German-American networks.

Banff, AB, Canada

CHCI Conference (Humanities) in Banff

UA Ruhr will be represented at the CHCI Annual Meeting in Banff, Alberta, highlighting the alliance’s strong commitment to the humanities and to global research collaboration. Participation in the CHCI conference underscores our engagement with international networks in the humanities and its support for transatlantic and transnational dialogue on shared scholarly challenges and opportunities. UA Ruhr will host our annual iteration of the Transatlantic Working Group for At-Risk Scholars.

New York, NY

Celebrating 250 Years of The United States

In 2026, the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, a momentous milestone marking two and a half centuries of innovation, democracy, and cultural exchange. As we commemorate this historic occasion, we reflect on the enduring ties between Germany and the United States and our shared commitment to fostering collaboration in education, research, and entrepreneurship. Join us in celebrating this semiquincentennial year and the bright future of transatlantic partnership. Details on special events and programs to come.

United States

Transatlantic Ruhr Fellowship Program

The Transatlantic Ruhr Fellowship Program offers exceptional researchers and scholars the opportunity to engage in collaborative work across the Atlantic, strengthening academic and research ties between the Ruhr region and North American institutions. This program fosters meaningful exchange and builds lasting partnerships that drive innovation and knowledge transfer between Germany and North America. Details on our fellowship website on our current cohort.

San Francisco, CA

GAIN Conference

UA Ruhr is excited to announce our participation at the upcoming German Academic International Network (GAIN) conference which brings together German and North American researchers, scientists, and academics to foster collaboration, explore career opportunities, and strengthen transatlantic research networks. Join us to learn more about exciting research and career opportunities at Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, and the University of Duisburg-Essen, and discover how UA Ruhr is driving innovation across disciplines. We look forward to connecting with talented researchers and building bridges.

New York, NY

Steuben Parade

Together with the German Consulate, UA Ruhr's #TRF2026 will be represented at the annual Steuben Parade in New York City, one of the largest celebrations of German-American heritage and friendship. Join us as we celebrate the enduring cultural and academic ties between Germany and the United States. Stop by to meet our team and celebrate our long history of friendship, collaboration, and shared commitment to cultural and academic exchange.

New Brunswick, NJ

COP31 Bridging Climates: German-American Pathways for Resilience and Climate Action with Rutgers University

Join UA Ruhr, Rutgers University, and the German Consulate for "Bridging Climates," a COP31 side event exploring transatlantic collaboration on climate resilience and action. This gathering will bring together researchers, policymakers, and innovators to share cutting-edge solutions, discuss best practices, and forge partnerships that accelerate progress toward a sustainable future. As global challenges demand international cooperation, this program highlights the vital role of German-American collaboration in addressing climate change and building resilient communities on both sides of the Atlantic.