We aim to leverage our professional and methodological expertise to make an impact on society. In turn, we strive to take up knowledge, skills, questions, and solutions from society .
TransforMA
Technology and knowledge transfer for the active shaping of transformation processes
In the TransforMA project, the University of Applied Sciences and the University of Mannheim are joining forces as a regional competence center for designing transformation processes. The aim of this ambitious approach is to strengthen the transfer of technology and knowledge in order to identify transformation needs and actively shape transformation processes in close cooperation with regional stakeholders from business and society. Within this context, the university is to develop a comprehensive transfer strategy.
Research-oriented collaboration
Collaboration between researchers and companies constitutes an important field of transfer for us. Many institutes collaborate with partners from industry on a project-based and externally funded basis and thus significantly contribute to the transfer of their research results to companies. Cooperations with institutions from the cultural sector are also of great importance.
Academic consulting
Public policy research plays a major role in this field of transfer. Researchers provide expert advice to the German Bundestag and the European Parliament, for example. Research work performed in Education Sciences is of relevance to education policy. And as a founding member of the international U7+ University Alliance, the university aims to strengthen the role of universities as global players in the context of the G7 summits.
Transfer-oriented teaching
Teaching at the University of Mannheim includes learning and teaching formats involving external partners. This interaction is particularly prominent in Economics and Business Administration as well as in Business Informatics. In addition, a structured gap year internship program has been established in Business Administration. In the Social Sciences and Humanities, internships are an integral part of the curriculum, while service-learning significantly contributes to the transfer of practical experience in Teacher Education.
Actors in this field of transfer
Practical orientation at the schools - Department of Law (practical experience)
- Department of Economics
- Business School (practical experience) and gap year in Business Administration
- School of Social Sciences (internship office / practical experience and career start)
- School of Business Informatics and Mathematics (practical experience)
- School of Humanities (practical experience and career start)
Practical orientation in Teacher Education Continuing education
for professional learners in academia
Entrepreneurship
This field of transfer encompasses all activities aimed at business start-ups. The focus is not only on providing advice and support, but also on imparting entrepreneurial thinking and start-up knowledge as well as on promoting networking in the start-up ecosystem. There is a wide range of events including lectures on entrepreneurship, case studies, founder talks, start-up lounges, and boot camps.
Researching and developing jointly with society
Here, the focus is on campus-community partnerships, in which researchers and external stakeholders from society engage in joint solution- and application-oriented research. The ENGAGE.EU Labs offer a platform for campus-community partnerships and bring together learners, researchers, and actors from society.
Actors in this field of transfer
Education - School of Social Sciences – Schule macht stark (School makes you strong initiative)
- Center for Teacher Education and Educational Innovation (ZLBI) – Campus-community partnerships
Citizen science projects
Science communication
Transfer can only take place if research work is made known to the public, if people are invited to discuss research processes and results and if communication and marketing activities reach their target groups.
The dialog with target groups beyond the scientific community is a particular focus here.
Actors in this field of transfer
Communication and marketing in academia - Communications department
- Marketing department
Meetings, conferences, working groups Actively engaged in the
exchange with target groups outside the scientific community:
Relationship management
The University of Mannheim Foundation cultivates personal contact with funding organizations and individual donors. With almost 8,000 members worldwide, ABSOLVENTUM is the largest alumni network in Germany. As a central institution, the Career Network of Service und Marketing GmbH is committed to bringing companies and students together.
Research infrastructure
The University Library, which houses an excellent collection, is also open to citizens of the Rhine-Neckar region for private study purposes. The broad range of information provided is particularly popular with Mannheim pupils.