Apply by: 15 May 2025
Format: Public panel discussion
Time: 15 May 2025, 17:30 - 19:30
Place: Great Hall, Old University, Grabengasse 1 (in person and livestream)
Further information
Registration
Leaflet
As societies face urgent environmental and social challenges, collaboration between universities and cities is more crucial than ever. In cities with strong universities, partnerships between municipal authorities and university leadership can create impactful synergies. By leveraging inter- and transdisciplinary research, universities provide essential expertise, while citizen science and public engagement play a crucial role in shaping inclusive and effective strategies.
The event is hosted by the Heidelberg Center for the Environment (HCE) and has been organised as one of the cross-promotion dissemination events in the framework of the 4EU+ Alliance's 1CORE project (One Comprehensive Research-Intensive University), which aims to consolidate an integrated, transnational European University.
As a joint endeavour of member universities of the 4EU+ European University Alliance, the event will provide an international view to addressing global challenges, opening up new perspectives for fostering connections between cities and science. Serving as a key dissemination platform for the 1CORE project, the event aims to share and communicate the results, outcomes, and insights gained through collaborative efforts within 4EU+.
By presenting tangible achievements and best practices, bringing together experts from academia and city governance, the event contributes to a broader understanding of how academic-city cooperation can effectively respond to environmental transitions and societal needs. It aims to not only inform, but also inspire replication and adaptation of successful models in different contexts. The discussion is designed to engage a broad audience – both within and beyond academia — fostering dialogue between researchers, policymakers, students, and engaged citizens.
The key nuclei for building strong networks of cooperation across partner universities are the four Flagships of the 4EU+ Alliance, thematic hubs for interdisciplinary research and teaching, and challenge-based education. In Heidelberg, the HCE has a coordinating role for the Flagship “Environmental Transitions”, which is focusing on the socio-economic transformation to sustainability and reaching the climate goals as well as environmental protection and resilience.
Prof. Dr. Géraldine Pflieger, University of Geneva
A professor of Urban and Environmental Policy and a science representative in the Swiss delegation at the UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs).
Prof. Dr. Natasha de Vere, The Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen
A biodiversity scientist and botany curator, as well as a leading researcher in projects on the importance of plants and gardens for human health, well-being, biodiversity, and the environment.
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Gerhard, Heidelberg University
A professor for Human Geography of North America, and a leading scientist in several European networks, including the 4EU+ Alliance Flagship Urban Health and Demographic Change.
Raoul Schmidt-Lamontain, Mayor for Climate Protection, Environment and Mobility, City of Heidelberg
Dr. Maximilian Jungmann, Heidelberg Center for the Environment, Heidelberg University