San Francisco, CA

GAIN Conference

University Alliance Ruhr is pleased to participate in the 2026 German Academic International Network (GAIN) Annual Conference in San Francisco, one of the leading networking and career events for internationally mobile researchers. Throughout the conference, UA Ruhr representatives will showcase research and career opportunities at Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, and the University of Duisburg-Essen while engaging with researchers from across North America and Germany.

This year, UA Ruhr is proud to organize two workshops on science transfer and women in academic leadership, contribute expert speakers to several discipline-specific career forums, and host an LGBTQ+ networking breakfast table. We invite conference participants to connect with us at the Talent Fair to learn more about research opportunities, international collaboration, and academic careers within University Alliance Ruhr.

Researchers who are unable to attend the full conference can also register for the free Saturday afternoon program on August 22, featuring the Talent Fair, workshops, and the Science Slam. Advance registration is required.

UA Ruhr Workshops:

• Research Ecosystems for Societal Impact: Science Transfer for Society
• Leading with Excellence: Women and Leadership in Academia

Here is the program for GAIN26.

Research for All: Building Bridges between Research and Society. Making Impact and Reaching the Right Audiences.

Scientific knowledge can only have a meaningful impact if it is understood and embraced by society. Yet communicating research to non-specialist audiences requires a different set of skills and strategies than communicating within academia. Simplifying complex content, developing empathy for diverse audiences, and using storytelling and interactive methods are just some of the competencies that make the difference between research that stays in the lab and research that shapes public discourse. Building public trust and broad support for science is not only a matter of individual responsibility, but also a shared task that requires researchers, institutions, and communicators to work together.

Please register for the program here.

On September 18, Transatlantic Fellows and supervisors will come together to celebrate the achievements and experiences gained during the internship. We look forward to hearing the students’ insights and stories.

This event is by invitation only.

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.

Dortmund, Germany

Cultures of Refuge: Climate, Flight, Refuge

Recognizing that the very concept of ‘refuge’ is undergoing a fundamental change, the symposium will investigate modern sanctuary frameworks and the implications of their transformation. By investigating refuge in various contexts and from multidisciplinary perspectives, the symposium asks to what extent ethical and political obligations to provide refuge still hold in an environmentally degraded and increasingly conflictual, authoritarian world. Taking place in Dortmund, the event is grounded in a region shaped by transformation and international exchange, offering a fitting context for discussions on resilience, adaptation, and the future of collaborative research. For more information, please contact Academy in Exile or office@uaruhr.de.

Find out more about Academy in Exile here.

Additional information about the Garden(s) of Refuge here.

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.