Freising, 12 December 2025: Researchers, doctoral candidates and interested parties came together at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences for the annual network meeting of the BayWISS Joint Academic Partnership Life Sciences and Green Technologies.
This year's theme of the event was "Grüne Infrastrukturen: Resilienz an der Schnittstelle zwischen Stadt und Land" (green infrastuctures: resilience at the interface between urban and rural areas). The focus lay on how green infrastructures can contribute to adapting to climate change, to supporting sustainable development and to strengthening ties between urban and rural areas.
The official welcome addressed the importance of networking while obtaining a doctorate. Networking is "being part of a living society", said HSWT Vice President Prof. Dr. Christoph Moning. Prof. Dr. Jörg Ewald, speaker of the universities of applied sciences, stressed that the BayWISS Joint Academic Partnership provides a platform for this purpose, offers support by opportunities for continuing academic education, and fulfils an important field of activity. Prof. Dr. Corinna Vlot-Schuster, Uni Bayreuth – speaker of the universities, motivated the young scientists with the words: A doctorate is like climbing a mountain – the path is more important than the destination and even if the conditions are difficult at times, the summit will be worth it.
Doctoral projects in the spotlight
In her contribution "Was würde Popeye heute essen?" (What would Popeye eat today) Lisa Ziegeltrum, winner of the Freising Science Slam, presented lentils as the solution and high-protein power food. Robin Renoth was the winner in this genre at HS Neu-Ulm with his slam on geothermal energy.
Further doctoral projects of the BayWISS Joint Academic Partnerships were presented:
- Pauline Metzinger – Einfluss des Klimawandels auf den Tourismus (influence of climate change on tourism)
- Tobias Fuchs – Revitalisierte Auwälder: Dynamik und Resilienz im Zeichen der Multifunktionalität (revitalised riparian forests: dynamics and resilience characterized by multifunctionality)
- Leonie Hahn – Entwicklung eines Frühwarnsystems für den Bewässerungsbedarf von Forstkulturen (development of an early-warning system for the irrigation requirement of forest plantation)
- Mitchell Mahachi – Predicting adoption of vertical farming in Africa’s megacities
Honouring of doctorates
Those who have just overcome the rocky road, can give the doctoral candidates particularly good advice – for instance "to learn to ask for help at the right moment". The learning process, which Patrizia Eben ("Multifunktionale Versicherungsmulden im Siedlungsraum" (multifunctional percolation trenches in urban areas)) passed on. Julian Eckert's ("Anwendung von Mikroorganismen in Biorieselbettreaktoren zur Reinigung industrieller Abluftströme" (employing microorganisms in organic trickle bed reactors for treating industrial waste airflow)) secret for keeping at it was to be in contact with people in similar situations. Both were honoured for obtaining their doctorates.
Impulses from research and practice
Setting impulses and arousing interest was the intention of the experts' presentations from various perspectives on the day's key topic. Insights were contributed from current research and working areas and brought externals perspectives to the network.
- Prof. Dr. Martina Artmann (Professor of Green Infrastructure, HSWT) held a presentation on "Städte von morgen – zwischen Dystopie und Utopie" (tomorrow's cities – between dystopia and utopia).
- Prof. Dr. Sonia Gantioler (Professor of Transformation Environment-Nature-Landscape, HSWT) spoke about green infrastructure.
- Tina Schmiers (Systeme GmbH – winner of the Business Goes Infrastructure Awards 2024) provided information on "Regenwasser als Allrounder für die Klimaanpassung" (rainwater as an all-rounder for climate adaptation)
Several opportunities for dialogue
Whether during the tour of the HSWT Campus, during the breaks, at the discussions during the talks or the poster sessions – there were numerous opportunities for dialogue which were successfully used as an opportunity for networking.
German original by Franziska Kohlrausch, 2 Dec 2025, HSWT