University of Hamburg: Innovative annual report and new collaborations!

University of Hamburg: Innovative annual report and new collaborations!

The 2024 annual report of the University of Hamburg (UHH) is now available and offers an English edition for the first time. This report covers the interdisciplinary courses offered, the development of the Science City in Bahrenfeld and the university's global research projects. The document shows how an inspiring learning and working environment can be created in science and describes the collaboration between research, teaching and administration.

The report is divided into four chapters in which various examples of collaboration at the UHH and in the Hamburg metropolitan region are presented. The newly founded facilities are particularly highlighted: the “Hub of Academic Career & Research Culture”, which offers innovative paths for academic careers, and the “Hub for Crossdisciplinary Learning” (HCL), which promotes interdisciplinary teaching. These initiatives contribute to strengthening the start-up culture in Germany and reflect the university's successes in the “Startup Factories” competition.

Interactive formats and regional cooperation

A central concern of the UHH is international networking. According to the International university cooperation German universities are becoming increasingly involved in international cooperation. The UHH further expanded its international relationships in 2024, including through mutual visits with partner universities and joint exchange and teaching formats.

As part of the “Science with the City” program, Hamburg is actively involved in the development of spatial concepts that promote dialogue between scientists and citizens. The goal is to strengthen universities and municipalities as active designers of regional transformation processes. To this end, innovative governance structures and participatory formats are being established that address both social challenges such as climate change and the shortage of skilled workers.

Funding and future perspectives

The University Transformation Laboratory offers a comprehensive training and coaching program that includes digital workshops and networking meetings for the exchange of knowledge. A budget of 25,000 euros is available for each of the eight selected collaborations, which include the UHH and the Altona district. The kick-off event will take place on January 23rd and 24th, 2025, followed by a closing event in January 2026 to present the project results.

The UHH takes first place in the current “QS Sustainability Ranking”. This confirms the strategic anchoring of sustainability in their research and teaching. UHH's four Clusters of Excellence have achieved global visibility, and funding for these clusters has been extended until the end of May 2025.

The annual report is aimed at members of the university, cooperation partners, other scientific institutions and the Hamburg population. With almost 100 pages, the report offers comprehensive insights into the activities of the UHH and is accessible in German and English. The results illustrate the university's commitment to a diverse and sustainable educational landscape.