Interdisziplinäre Lehre: Meeting Global Challenges
Restart in the Rhineland Region
Social, Ecological, Innovation-Driven?
Registration
Registration takes place via RWTHonline and is possible from 01.09.2026 to 04.10.2026. Further information on the registration process can be found in the FAQs.
All students can register for one course. You can specify two preferences. To do so, please use the ‘high’ priority and the one directly below it. For instructions, please click here. If you have not been allocated a place at the end of the allocation process and are still interested in participating in a course, please contact sibel.yildirim@ipw.rwth-aachen.de.
(If you have any problems with registration, please contact Ms Sibel Yildirim (IPW) at sibel.yildirim@ipw.rwth-aachen.de, stating your matriculation number. If you have any general questions about the course, please contact the person listed below.)
We welcome your questions and comments. You can contact us here! (The ‘Leonardo’ project is also on Facebook and Instagram).
Academic Responsibility
Chair of Society and Technology, RWTH Aachen
Contact Person
Alina Meyer, M.A.
Schedule
Start
14.10.2026
Time
Wednesday, 15:30 h
Place
Digital (Zoom)
Description
North Rhine-Westphalia is characterised by various processes of structural change: whilst the Ruhr
region and the Rhineland coalfield are undergoing a profound transformation following the end of hard
coal and lignite mining, traditional industries, agriculture, water management and small and mediumsized
enterprises are under pressure in East and South Westphalia.
The lecture series in the winter semester focuses on the Rhineland mining region and examines the
tensions within the transformation process from historical, local, sociological and technological
perspectives. A key focus is on the circular economy, which brings together several transformation
challenges – from digitalisation and sustainability to security of supply.
In cooperation between Humboldtⁿ, the Research Training Group Circular E-Cars and the Sustainability
Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences (NAW.NRW), an in-person event will take place in Aachen.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Examine transformation processes from various perspectives and understand the areas of tension
involved. - Identify lessons that can be applied to other processes of structural change.
- Recognise the opportunities offered by initiatives such as regional and funding programmes.
- Identify various approaches to cooperation between society, academia, culture and business.
Program
The lectures take place weekly online via Zoom. The dial-in links, the registration form and the final lecture titles can be found on the Humboldtn website (https://humboldt-n.nrw/weitere-programme/ringvorlesung-wise-2026-27). On 9
December 2026 (5.00–7.00 pm), an in-person event will take place in Aachen (RWTH Aachen’s
InnovationLab). Registration for this event is also via the website.
14.10.2026
tba
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Lambert T. Koch, Bergische Universität Wuppertal
21.10.2026
tba
Lisa Kolde, Wuppertal Institut
29.10.2026
tba
Prof. Dr. Monika Hartmann, Universität Bonn
05.11.2026
tba
Dr. Jonas Grauel, Verbraucherzentrale NRW
12.11.2026
tba
Prof. Peter Letmathe, RWTH Aachen University
19.11.2026
tba
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Antara Dasgupta. RWTH Aachen University
26.11.2026
tba
N.N.
03.12.2026
tba
Prof. Dr. Angelika Krehl, Hochschule Niederrhein
09.12.2026
17:00 h (in Aachen)
Prof. Dr. Agnes Förster, RWTH Aachen University
Prof. Dr. Jörg Laumann, FH Aachen
17.12.2026
tba
Dr. Jan-Hendrik Kamlage, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Organisation
Procedure/Working method
Depending on the course of studies, module and examination, credit points can be achieved through participation. If you would like to take an exam, please make sure beforehand how you can get credit for it in your degree program. Of course, you can also take exams without receiving curricular credit for them. Visit our FAQs for more information.
Certificate
Single Choice Test and Protocol with Reflection (3 CP, graded)
