Who’s researching what? First in-house research day brings research and administration together

Who is actually conducting research, and into what? And why does a university of applied sciences need research? These were the two questions at the heart of Worms University of Applied Sciences’ first internal Research Day, organised by the Research Department under the leadership of Anna Osprian and Michael Graef, Vice-President for Research and Transfer.

The event kicked off with a ‘Research Speed-Dating’ session. Over six short rounds, professors, PhD students and administrative staff engaged in conversation with one another, spanning different Faculties and areas of work. Many discovered projects they had not previously been aware of and realised that others were working on similar questions.

The subsequent fishbowl discussion centred on the importance of research at the university and how it can be further strengthened. It became clear that research and administration wish to collaborate more closely, that objectives need to be clearly defined, and that research should become more visible both internally and externally.

This is precisely where the next steps come in. Before Christmas, there will be a research lunch in the canteen to continue the discussions. In the new year, a workshop will follow, in which interested parties from research and administration will work together on specific projects. One key focus will be science communication – in other words, the question of how the university’s research can be made better known both within and outside the university. The Research Day is thus intended to mark the start of a series of events designed to strengthen collaboration in the long term.