Annual Report of UA Ruhr’s North America Activities 2025

Call for Applications: GAIN26 Annual Conference & Talent Fair

Call for Applications: Falling Walls Lab San Francisco Bay Area 2026

Call for Applications: Proposal Writing Grants for International Postdocs

Call for Applications: DAAD “Germany Today” 2026: Building Transatlantic Partnerships in Research and Innovation

Ruhr Innovation Lab: Application submitted as a Consortium of Excellence

On November 12, Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University submitted their joint application to the German Council of Science and Humanities for the title of Consortium of Excellence. The two universities are competing together as the "Ruhr Innovation Lab" in the second funding line of the Excellence Strategy. The concept describes an experimental space that creates room for research and develops solutions to pressing future challenges. This will also involve strengthening connections with business, politics, and society. In the current round of the competition, 21 universities and consortia from across Germany are vying for up to 15 places.

"We are driven by the vision of shaping research in such a way that new ideas can grow, ideas that safeguard the values ​​and prosperity of our society even in times of global upheaval," explains Prof. Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum. "With partners in the Ruhr region, in Germany, and worldwide, we want to create an ecosystem to make this vision a reality," says Prof. Manfred Bayer, Rector of TU Dortmund University. The two neighboring universities share a founding mission: to further advance the structural transformation of the Ruhr region from the heart of the coal and steel industry to a knowledge metropolis. Their joint application in the Excellence Strategy now carries this mission into the future and beyond the region's borders.

The two universities qualified for the next round of the Excellence Strategy in May 2025 by securing three Clusters of Excellence. Thanks to their long-standing collaboration within the University Alliance Ruhr, TU Dortmund University and Ruhr University Bochum can build on strong, inter-university structures in research and knowledge transfer in their joint application. These include, in particular, the four Research Centers and the College, which were established in 2021 jointly with the University of Duisburg-Essen to strengthen top-level international research in the Ruhr region through 50 new professorships. The closely integrated startup support within the BRYCK Startup Alliance is among the best in Germany, as evidenced by its recognition as one of Germany's ten Startup Factories in July.

The two universities have now signed a cooperation agreement for bilateral collaboration in the "Ruhr Innovation Lab," defining a new inter-university institution. Together, the two universities boast 875 professorships, 6,400 researchers, and 63,000 students. By pooling their resources, the two partners are already particularly strong in areas such as sustainable chemistry, trustworthy IT systems, novel materials, and the nature of matter. Further fields are to be jointly developed and expanded. The interplay between research ideas and societal challenges is guided by the motto "Think. Try. Transform." The new "Ruhr Innovation Lab" website describes the broad foundation upon which the consortium can build its vision.

Regarding the Excellence Strategy: In the second funding line of the Excellence Strategy, universities can apply individually or jointly for funding as a University of Excellence or a Consortium of Excellence. A prerequisite for this is the acquisition of a sufficient number of Clusters of Excellence. In the current round, ten of the eleven incumbent award winners and eleven new proposals are competing, including the "Ruhr Innovation Lab." From 2027 onward, up to 15 candidates can receive funding. For the first time in the history of the Excellence Initiative, this funding is not time-limited but, subject to successful evaluations, is intended to be permanent. The total funding amount is up to €28 million per year. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive concept for the strategic development of cutting-edge research that anchors institutional capacity for renewal. Applications will be reviewed in writing and through on-site visits. The decision will be made in early October 2026.

More information: www.ruhr-innovation-lab.de

See the German version here.

Image credit: Prof. Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum, and Prof. Manfred Bayer, Rector of TU Dortmund University, with the "Ruhr Innovation Lab" logo. (Oliver Schaper/TU Dortmund)

Call for Papers - Ordinary Men: Perpetrator Memory in Spanish Culture

The UA Ruhr College for Social Sciences and Humanities invites researchers to submit proposals for the international conference Ordinary Men: Perpetrator Memory in Spanish Culture, to be held on 4–5 December 2025 at the University Alliance Ruhr in Essen, Germany. The event is convened by Prof. Susanne Zepp-Zwirner (University of Duisburg-Essen) and Dr Lorraine Ryan (Senior Fellow, College for Social Sciences and Humanities).

The conference challenges the long-standing victim–perpetrator binary in Spanish memory culture of the Civil War and Francoist Dictatorship. Building on the influential “Ordinary Men” thesis, it explores how otherwise unremarkable individuals became active participants in violence, and how concepts such as Primo Levi’s “grey zones” and Michael Rothberg’s “implicated subject” can shed new light on complicity, bystanding, and perpetration in Spanish cultural memory.

Topics include representations of perpetrators, bystanders, and implicated subjects in Spanish literature, film, photojournalism, and history, as well as comparative studies drawing on Holocaust research and other conflicts. Formats include lightning talks, 20-minute papers, and roundtable discussions.

The deadline for submissions is 8 October 2025. For more information about the call, requirements, and submission, please follow the link here.

UA Ruhr Celebrates Women in Diplomacy: Advancing Equity in Science Diplomacy

In 2022, the UN General Assembly proclaimed June 24 as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. This initiative aligns with the SDGs, aiming to achieve equal participation of women in decision-making processes against the backdrop of the structural underrepresentation of women in the diplomatic sphere, among others.

In recognition of today, UA Ruhr marks it with key discussion points from "Women at the Forefront of Science Diplomacy," convened on February 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C., co-hosted by The Women in Science Diplomacy Association (WiSDA) and the Embassy of the Federal Republic Germany in Washington DC, in the form of a press release.

During the roundtable, stakeholders from the transatlantic academic exchange and higher education system came together to discuss collaborative strategies supporting women and equality in science diplomacy while being acknowledged, represented, and recognized for their impact on shaping international research networks and policy discussions.

Download the Advancing Equity in Science Diplomacy press release [here] for insights on key discussion points and recommendations.

#SCALEability: Transfer in Educational Research and ED-Tech in Germany and the US

New York, NY — On June 9, 2025, the University Alliance Ruhr, in collaboration with 1014 – space for ideas and the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New York, hosted #SCALEability: ED-Tech Transfer in Germany and the US at The Liederkranz in New York City. UA Ruhr’s Priya S. Nayar facilitated the session from 2 pm to 5 pm. The afternoon brought together a diverse and interdisciplinary audience of educators from both universities and schools alongside professionals from education, nonprofit, city governance, finance, funding, and business backgrounds. Together, they participated in deeply engaged discussions around innovation, collaboration, and impact in the education sector with a special focus on similarities and opportunities between Germany and the United States.

  A central feature of the afternoon was a conversation-style presentation featuring:

• Prof. Dr. Bettina Amrhein (University of Duisburg-Essen)
• Prof. Dr. Tish Jennings (University of Virginia)
• Expertly moderated by Prof. Dr. Martin Ihrig (New York University).  

The dialogue made it clear that the concept of scalability in education goes far beyond reach and technical innovation. It was emphasized that a meaningful scale must also involve impact, particularly in creating emotionally safe and inclusive classrooms. Amrhein and Jennings’ work addresses the goal of relieving educators from overwhelming workloads and equipping them to meet the individual needs of their students while creating emotionally safe learning environments, drawing on evidence-based programs. Through this approach, children are enabled to foster creativity, experience collaboration, problem-solving, and self-discovery, which are essential skills for personal development and growth.

A key takeaway from the presentation was that both scholars center their projects on emotional well-being, have secured funding to implement their models in real-world school environments, and are committed to long-term impact. As part of their scaling strategies, both are exploring the use of AI to extend the reach and sustainability of their initiatives, recognizing technology as a tool to support educators and improve learning outcomes at scale:

•  Prof. Amrhein's Umbraise program is scheduled to be implemented in 1,000 German schools between 2025 and 2027, with support from national grants.
• Prof. Jennings's CARE program has already been funded, implemented, rigorously evaluated, and replicated through support from the US Department of Education. She is currently leading a team developing "Marzy," an AI tutor designed to support educators and students, which will soon begin pilot testing.

The afternoon concluded with interactive roundtable discussions led by Dr. Kathrin DiPaola (1014) and Dr. Jan Lüdert (DWIH New York), which focused on two central themes: Innovation Processes: Principal Investigators & CEO and Funding: Opportunities & Barriers. Building on the earlier presentation, the roundtables explored shared challenges and opportunities for the transfer of education research and ed-tech. From a funding and innovation perspective, discussions underscored the necessity of a clear business plan with strategic positioning within networks, a well-defined product niche and product, cross-sector partnerships, including collaborations with existing companies in the ed-tech sector, and a credible exit strategy. These elements were identified as essential to attracting long-term investment and achieving sustainable, scalable growth.

The event also underscored the value of transatlantic cooperation. Through their reciprocal research partnership and active knowledge exchange, Amrhein and Jennings demonstrate how German and US schools can mutually benefit from shared insights. Despite national differences, both are confronting similar structural barriers within their school systems—including a shortage of facilitators, limited infrastructure for ongoing educator support, and the challenge of finding a sustainable business model to scale and effectively embed innovation. In addition, both are navigating the dual role of being a Principal Investigator and CEO, finding a balance between academic research and the entrepreneurial mindset required to implement and scale their innovations. Their ongoing collaboration is enabling the exchange of best practices across borders, helping to address individual and systemic challenges through shared lenses.  

Participants included Prof. Dr. Karen Shire, University of Duisburg-Essen; Prof. Dr. Kurt Becker, Emeritus Vice Dean for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at NYU Tandon School of Engineering; Dr. Nina Gray, Associate Vice Provost for Research at NYU; Dr. Joann Halpern, Adjunct Professor of International Education at NYU; Prof. Dr. Sven Horak, Zizza Tobin Professor of Management at St. John's University in New York; David G. Di Gregorio, NJ School Administrator; as well as representatives from Overseas Press Club of America, Columbia University, Morgan Library, Cornell University, University of Buffalo, CUNY, Mindful Philanthropy, NYC Dept. of Education, NYC city government, and more.

To view photos from June 9th, please visit our photographer, Nathalie Schueller's link: https://nathalieschueller.smugmug.com/Official-Events-2025/UA-Ruhr-SCALE-ABILITY-Talk-and-Networking-Event-June-9-2025/n-FBjKQX. If you would like to request digital copies of a particular photo or photos, please contact us at intern@uaruhr.de with the file name/s.