#SustainableUniMA – Making a Difference

Creating a sustainable economy and society is an urgent challenge for us all. In the “#SustainableUniMA – I will make a difference by ...” campaign, members of the University of Mannheim are accepting this challenge and provide an answer in the form of a personal statement. In the statements, sustainability is understood within the meaning of the UN's 17 goals for a sustainable development and includes economic, ecological, and social dimensions.

On this website, which will be regularly updated, you can read the contributions that have been submitted. Get inspired and think about the impact you could have.

PD Dr. Katrin Menzel mit weißem Shirt vor begrüntem Hintergrund

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by choosing the train instead of the car or plane when traveling in Europe for work, in order to make my contribution to sustainable mobility.

#SustainableUniMA

PD Dr. Katrin Menzel

Academic Staff

Bernward Gesang. Bernward Gesang trägt ein blaues Hemd und steht vor einem grünen Hintergrund.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by researching and teaching climate ethics, giving talks about the topic, making regular donations, and paying attention to my lifestyle.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Dr. Bernward Gesang

Chair of Philosophy II

Wanja Pasdzierny. Wanja Pasdzierny trägt ein dunkel gemustertes Hemd und lächelt.

Credit: Frederic Hemler

I will make a difference by promoting sustainability in local politics as member of the district advisory council and as candidate for the Mannheim city council.

#SustainableUniMA

Wanja Pasdzierny

Student, State examination in Law

Lara Reimer. Sie lächelt freundlich, trägt eine weiße Bluse und offenes Haar.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by designing a bee-friendly garden with bee hotels and local plants.

#SustainableUniMA

Lara Reimer

Consultant Sustainability Management

Britta Düvelmeyer trägt ein rosa-blau kariertes Hemd. Sie lächelt und steht vor einem Baum und einer grünen Wiese.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by biking to work every day — in all weathers.

#SustainableUniMA

Britta Düvelmeyer

Deputy Director Department VI

Viktor Boecking. Er schaut freundlich drein und trägt ein schwarzes T-Shirt.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by eating local and vegetarian food.

#SustainableUniMA

Viktor Boecking

Head of the University Library’s communications department

Prof. Stefan Reichelstein. Er lächelt und trägt einen schwarzen Anzug.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by researching the costs and risks associated with the energy transition.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Stefan Reichelstein, Ph.D.

Endowed Chair in Business Administration

Amelie Maulbetsch trägt dunkelblaue Kleidung und steht vor begrüntem Hintergrund.

Credit: Nida Karuserci

I make a difference by developing teaching projects centered around sustainability-related topics.

#SustainableUniMA

Amelie Maulbetsch

Education for Sustainable Development

Gerrit von Zedlitz-Neukirch steht lächelnd mit Brille und grünem Pullover vor einem Hintergrund aus grünen Blättern.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by analyzing in which cases and how increased corporate transparency leads to more sustainability in companies.

#SustainableUniMA

Geritt von Zedlitz

Doctoral student

Khadija Larabi. Sie lehnt lächelnd an einem Baum, dabei trägt sie eine dunkle Bluse.

I will make a difference by working at Kinderhelden to improve educational opportunities for children.

#SustainableUniMA

Khadija Larabi

Doctoral student

Eduar Espinosa trägt ein schwarzes Shirt, darüber ein weißes Hemd. Er steht vor einem Baum und lächelt in die Kamera.

Credit: Elene Rakviashvili

I make a difference by sharing Colombia's rich environmental heritage to inspire more inclusive and diverse solutions to global challenges.

#SustainableUniMA

Eduar Espinosa

Digital Marketing, University of Mannheim Service & Marketing GmbH

Prof. Dr. Annette Kehnel. Sie steht lächelnd unter einem Baum, dabei trägt sie eine Brille und eine weiße Bluse, ein gestreifter Pullover liegt um ihre Schultern.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by prioritizing a product’s repair capacity when buying something.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Dr. Annette Kehnel

Former Vice President for Student Affairs and Teaching (2021–2024)

Natalie Rose. Natalie Rose steht vor einem grünen Hintergrund und trägt eine graue Jacke.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by organizing childcare for students and examination supervisors for exams that take place on Saturdays.

#SustainableUniMA

Natalie Rose

Staff member of the Department of Equal Opportunity and Social Diversity

Markus Behlau. Er steht lächelnd vor einem Strauch, dabei trägt er ein helles kariertes Hemd.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by contributing my fire prevention expertise both professionally and as a volunteer to protect the environment, since fires release pollutants.

#SustainableUniMA

Markus Behlau

Occupational Safety Specialist, Fire Prevention Officer

Sabine Gehrlein lächelt in die Kamera. Sie trägt ein gemustertes Oberteil und steht vor einem großen Baum.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by ensuring that high-quality information and education are freely available to everyone in our library.

#SustainableUniMA

Sabine Gehrlein

University Librarian

Sabine Kußmaul. Sabine Kußmaul lächelt freundlich und trägt eine Brille passend zum Halstuch.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by creating the structures for a culture of diversity at the university.

#SustainableUniMA

Sabine Kußmaul

Head of the Department of Equal Opportunity and Social Diversity

Kathrin Blitzke trägt ein blaues Oberteil und steht vor einer grün-braunen Baumkulisse. Sie lächelt in die Kamera.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I make a difference by helping to shape the Global Sustainability Management program in my role as ENGAGE.EU coordinator.

#SustainableUniMA

Kathrin Blitzke

ENGAGE.EU Local Work Package Coordinator ENGAGE.EU Programmes

Hilal Müge Cakan. Sie lächelt und trägt ein dunkleblau gestreiftes Hemd.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by searching for optimal pathways for plastics, from waste to renewal.

#SustainableUniMA

Hilal Müge Cakan

Doctoral student

Dr. Katrin Schoppa-Bauer. Sie steht locker da und lächelt. Sie trägt eine rosa und gelb gemusterte Bluse.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by supporting sustainability ideas proposed by the university’s administration, e.g., for lighting and paper consumption.

#SustainableUniMA

Dr. Katrin Schoppa-Bauer

Executive Vice President

Prof. Ulrich Wagner. Er steht freundlich dreinblickend in blauem Hemd vor einem Baum.

Credit: José Gaztelu

I will make a difference by researching and teaching how environmental policies can be as effective as needed and as affordable as possible.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Ulrich Wagner, Ph.D.

Professor of Quantitative Economics

Lukas Dausend. Er lächelt freundlich, trägt ein weißes Hemd und eine Brille.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by supporting international exchange.

#SustainableUniMA

Lukas Dausend

Study Abroad and Bilateral Agreements

Rezvan Derayati steht vor dem grünen Hintergrund der Mensawiese und lächelt in die Kamera. Sie trägt einen hellen Mantel und einen locker gebundenen Hijab.

Credit: Nida Karuserci

I make a difference by researching the economic potential of green hydrogen, a critical element in advancing the energy transition.

#SustainableUniMA

Rezvan Derayati

Doctoral student

Prof. Dr. Georg W. Alpers trägt ein weißes Hemd und lächelt freundlich.

Credit: Anna Logue

I will make a difference by cycling regularly and promoting cycling at every opportunity.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Dr. Georg W. Alpers

Chair of Clinical and Biological Psychology and Psychotherapy

Julia Freimuth. Julia Freimuth lächelt breit und trägt ein rotes Oberteil und Brille.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by helping university employees to take environmental and social sustainability into account when making purchases.

#SustainableUniMA

Julia Freimuth

Strategic purchasing manager/Purchasing Department

Kerstin Großardt. Sie schaut freundlich drein, ihre Arme sind verschränkt vor ihrem grauen Blazer und dem rosa Oberteil.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by recycling material at home and at work, for example cardboard rolls for mobiles, and by thrifting as many items as possible.

#SustainableUniMA

Kerstin Großardt

Library Secretary

Paul Heierling. Er lächelt und trägt einen grünlich karierten Schal über einer grauen Jacke.

Credit: Frederic Hemler

I will make a difference by campaigning for a green campus and planning sustainability projects as representative of the AStA Campus department.

#SustainableUniMA

Paul Heierling

Representative of the AStA Campus department

Sarina Gallus. Sie trägt ein schwarz-weißes Outfit und lächelt.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by working for INFINITY Mannheim and by getting students excited about sustainability through events such as the Social Entrepreneurship Workshop.

#SustainableUniMA

Sarina Gallus

Student, Master's Program in Psychology: Work, Economy and Society

Rheia Martiny steht vor einem mit Efeu bewachsenen Baum und lächelt in die Kamera

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by eating a vegan diet and supporting an animal welfare organization.

#SustainableUniMA

Rheia Martiny

Press Officer for the joint project TransforMA

Martin Glanzer, lächelnd vor blattgrünem Hintergrund

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by developing mathematical optimization models for sustainable water management in arid regions.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Martin Glanzer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Operations Management

Credit: Nida Karuserci

I will make a difference by avoiding plastic in my house where possible, by cycling instead of driving, and by favoring regional and second-hand products.

#SustainableUniMA

Kerstin Goldner

Office Assistant, Chair of Business Informatics II

Karla Funes. Karla Funes lächelt und trägt einen blauen Blazer sowie eine weiße Bluse.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by applying the knowledge from my master's program in my job and private life.

#SustainableUniMA

Karla Funes

Mannheim Master in Sustainability and Impact Management

Renke Meyer. Er trägt eine Brille und ein dunkelgrünes T-Shirt, dabei lehnt er lachend an einem Baum.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by organizing the AStA lecture series on climate change in the fall semester 2023.

#SustainableUniMA

Renke Meyer

Student, B.Sc. Economics

Clara Schünemann. Sie steht unter einem Baum und lächelt, dabei trägt sie ein schwarz-beige gemustertes Oberteil.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by integrating environmental protection into my daily life and by not buying fast fashion or a car.

#SustainableUniMA

Clara Schünemann

Student, B.A. Culture and Economy: German Studies

Prof. Dr. Ilze Plavgo. Sie steht lächelnd vor einem Baum und trägt einen rot gemusterten Blazer.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by assessing what social policies in Europe and sub-Saharan Africa can do to reduce existing inequalities in education and in the labor market.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Dr. Ilze Plavgo

Junior professor of Sociology of the Welfare State

Christine Bickert. Sie trägt einen grauen Rollkragenpullover und lächelt freundlich.

Credit: Frederic Hemler

I will make a difference by promoting the flyer app “Flyra” in the student organization INFINITY Mannheim e. V., which will reduce paper waste.

#SustainableUniMA

Christine Bickert

Student, B.A. Culture and Economy: Spanish Studies

Prof. Dr. Astrid Lembke. Sie lächelt, trägt eine Brille und eine türkisfarbene Sweatjacke.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by working to increase the proportion of women in professorships and other leadership positions in academia.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Dr. Astrid Lembke

Central Equal Opportunity Commissioner

María Jesús Collado. Sie lehnt freundlich dreinblickend an einem Baum. Sie trägt einen dunkelblauen Anzug.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by organizing the certificate program “Studium Oecologicum” to teach students about sustainability.

#SustainableUniMA

María Jesús Collado

Director Studium Generale

Tim Neubauer. Er lehnt locker an einem Baum und lacht, dabei trägt er einen schwarzen Pullover.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by reducing single-use plastics at student parties to reduce, inter alia, ocean pollution.

#SustainableUniMA

Tim Neubauer

Student, M.Ed. German and History

Prof. Dr. Thomas Fetzer. Breit lächelnd steht er vor einem Baum, dabei trägt er ein dunkles Jackett.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by using the Deutschlandticket, a flat-rate ticket for nationwide public transport in Germany, as often as possible.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Dr. Thomas Fetzer

President

Prof. Dr. Thomas Puhl. Er lächelt freundlich, trägt eine Brille und ein dunkelblaues Jackett.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by avoiding air travel in my spare time.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Thomas Puhl

Former President (2018–2024)

Corinna Kröger. Corinna Kröger lacht freundlich und trägt ein dunkles Jackett.

Credit: Frederic Hemler

I will make a difference by working to further reduce discrimination at our university.

#SustainableUniMA

Corinna Kröger

Executive Assistant to the Central Equal Opportunities Commissioner

Portrait von Moritz Fleischmann. Er trägt ein hellblaues Hemd und steht mit verschränkten Armen vor einem Baum.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by further developing the sustainability strategy of the University of Mannheim.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Dr. Moritz Fleischmann

Vice President for Sustainability and International Affairs

Ekaterina Savchenko trägt ein blau-weißes Oberteil und steht vor Bäumen auf der Mensawiese.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I make a difference by doing climate-related research and by actively working to minimize my personal CO2 footprint.

#SustainableUniMA

Ekaterina Savchenko

Doctoral student

Dr. Peter Parczewski in dunkelblauem Poloshirt vor einem Hintergrund mit grünen Pflanzen und Bäumen.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by incorporating climate-related topics into my teaching and by participating in Scientists for Future Mannheim.

#SustainableUniMA

Dr. Peter Parczewski

Academic Staff

Felix Haas steht im weißen Kurzarmhemd vor einem grünen Hintergrund mit Bäumen. Er lächelt in die Kamera.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by providing digital learning resources as a head tutor to promote access to education for all.

#SustainableUniMA

Felix Haas

Student, M.Sc. Economic and Business Education and Mathematics

Philip Holler trägt ein dunkelblaues T-Shirt und steht vor einem Baum auf der Mensawiese. Er lächelt in die Kamera.

Credit: Nida Karuserci

I will make a difference by researching the economic efficiency of new decarbonization technologies.

#SustainableUniMA

Philip Holler

Doctoral student

Nina Todorovic. Sie trägt einen schwarzen Anzug und lächelt.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by supporting international students coming to Mannheim with my work at the International Office.

#SustainableUniMA

Nina Todorovic

Student, Master of Comparative Business Law

Katrin Gschwind steht vor einem grünen Hintergrund und lächelt in die Kamera.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I make a difference by focusing my PhD research project on analyzing the cost of low-emission technologies for a more sustainable future.

#SustainableUniMA

Katrin Gschwind

Doctoral student

Susanne Quincke steht mit blauem Polo-Shirt vor einer grünen Blätterwand und lächelt in die Kamera.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by donating generously to Welthungerhilfe.

#SustainableUniMA

Susanne Quincke

Secretary to the President

Anja Faber lächelt in die Kamera. Sie hat rötliches Haar und trägt ein helles Oberteil mit Blumenmuster. Sie steht vor einem grün-braunen, bepflanzen Hintergrund.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I make a difference by keeping the temperature in the room at 18 degrees Celsius.

#SustainableUniMA

Anja Faber

Secretary, Department of Law

Christiane Feldhaus. Christiane Feldhaus trägt einen gelben Cardigan und lächelt.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by conducting risk assessments at the workplace and by helping supervisors to eliminate these risks.

#SustainableUniMA

Christiane Feldhaus

Occupational Safety Specialist

Theodor Hankammer lächelt in die Kamera. Er trägt einen dunkelblauen Pullover und steht vor einem grün bepflanzten Hintergrund.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by supporting the university's sustainability management in calculating the university's carbon footprint.

#SustainableUniMA

Theodor Hankammer

Student, B.Sc. Business Administration

Lutz Pöhlmann. Er lacht und trägt ein dunkles Jackett.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by supporting sustainability management in the President’s Office and by using my car as little as possible.

#SustainableUniMA

Lutz Pöhlmann

Director President's Office

Verena Weller trägt ein dunkles Jacket und lächelt sympathisch in die Kamera. Im Hintergrund sind grüne Blätter.

Credit: Joseline Weinberg

I make a difference by organizing and spearheading educational events centered around sustainability-related topics for Scientists for Future Mannheim.

#SustainableUniMA

Dr. des. Verena Weller

Academic Staff

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by not leaving trash behind when hiking and by treating nature and other living creatures with respect.

#SustainableUniMA

Julia Regele

Consultant Sustainability Management

Veronique Embach. Sie lehnt lächelnd an einem Baum. Ihre Haare sind hochgesteckt, sie trägt eine Brille und einen dunklen Cardigan über dem türkisfarbenen Oberteil.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by actively promoting projects that make the university more innovative – such as introducing the digital business travel management.

#SustainableUniMA

Veronique Embach

Deputy Equal Opportunity Commissioner for non-academic staff members (administration, library, and University IT)

Prof. Henning Hillmann. Er schaut freundlich drein und trägt ein blaues Jacket über einem gestreiften Hemd.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by looking for local and regional products when shopping for food.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Henning Hillmann, Ph.D.

Former Vice President for Research and Early-Stage Researchers (2021–2024)

Marie Kühn. Sie lacht und trägt ein rotes Jackett über einem schwarzen Oberteil.

Credit: Frederic Hemler

I will make a difference by founding the “mynds” student initiative to promote the career paths of female students in Economics.

#SustainableUniMA

Marie Kühn

Student, Mannheim Master in Management

Laura Schmitt. Laura Schmitt trägt eine weiße Bluse und lächelt.

Credit: Frederic Hemler

I will make a difference by taking the train for all trips required for my semester abroad in Norway.

#SustainableUniMA

Laura Schmitt

Student, B.A. Sociology

Prof. Dr. Ivan Balykin in blauer Jacke vor grünen Pflanzen.

Credit: Alexander Münch

I will make a difference by encouraging my students to develop solutions for environmental challenges, and by fostering a culture of ecological responsibility.

#SustainableUniMA

Prof. Dr. Ivan Balykin

Assoc. Prof. at the Chair of Contemporary History

Luca Knörzer. Er sitzt lächelnd auf einem Ast. Er trägt ein hellblaues T-Shirt und seine Haare zur Hälfte hochgesteckt.

Credit: Katrin Glückler

I will make a difference by implementing local sustainability projects at the student organization INFINITY Mannheim.

#SustainableUniMA

Luca Knörzer

Student, Mannheim Master in Management

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