University of Applied Sciences Potsdam appoints first transfer professors

Strengthening networking with society
Transfer professorships are a key instrument for promoting networking between the university and external stakeholders and jointly developing solutions for social challenges. The FHP is thus emphasising its role in the area of knowledge transfer. "By introducing transfer professorships, we are creating a bridge between science and practice. Science does not only mean gaining new knowledge, but also taking responsibility for what becomes of it. Transfer professorships promote this process, strengthen innovation and make our university a key source of inspiration for business and society," emphasises Prof. Dr Eva Schmitt-Rodermund, President of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.

Framework conditions and design
The introduction of transfer professorships is based on the FHP statutes adopted in November 2024, which set out the framework conditions for the awarding and design of these professorships. The term of a transfer professorship is between one and three years. During this time, the teaching commitment per week is reduced in order to create sufficient space for transfer activities. 

The transfer professorships are divided into three different forms, each of which enables a different focus and approach to knowledge and technology transfer. The externally funded transfer professorship is used to realise acquired and externally funded projects. It enables the realisation of cooperation projects with external partners and strengthens the practical exchange between science and industry. 
Thestrategic transfer professorship is based on a target agreement with the university management. Here, professors develop targeted strategic transfer projects in order to further expand the university's profile areas or strengthen partnerships in the long term.
The transfer sprints complement this model as a particularly innovative and low-threshold funding opportunity. Following a university-wide call, professors can submit their transfer projects without the need for extensive application procedures - a letter of intent with a practice partnership is sufficient. A certain number of the submitted projects are selected by lot, depending on the available budget. This creates space for creative, unconventional ideas that can be put into practice quickly and unbureaucratically.
The decision on the awarding of externally funded and strategic transfer professorships is made by the President. Applications for strategic transfer professorships are also reviewed externally.

New transfer professors at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences
The appointment of the following transfer professors was confirmed at the Senate meeting on 5 February 2025:

Transfer professorships
Prof. Dr Dipl. Psych. Karsten Krauskopf (Professorship of Psychology in Social Work, Department of Social and Educational Sciences) - Topic: PIPS - Participative Interactions in Care and Sleep Situations in Crèches
Prof. Dr Jörg Röder (Professor of Psychology in Social Work, Department of Social and Educational Sciences)Jörg Röder (Chair of Building Preservation, Construction in Existing Contexts and Timber Construction, Department of Civil Engineering) - Topic: Future-oriented preservation and conversion
Prof. Dr Armin Schachameier (Chair of Theories and Methods of Social Work, Department of Social and Educational Sciences) - Topic: Key situations in social work from a design perspective

Transfer sprints
Prof. Dr.-Peter Heisig (Chair of Information and Knowledge Management, Department of Information Sciences) - Topic: Cooperation between universities and industry on knowledge management in small and medium-sized enterprises in the region & cooperation between universities and local authorities on knowledge management in public administration
Prof. Silvia Knüppel (Professorship for Product & Perspective, Department of Design) - Topic: FHP Textile Lab - Realisation of the permanent exhibition in the Brandenburg Textile Museum Forst
Prof. Dr. Tanja Salem (Professorship for Theory and Practice of Childhood Education, Department of Social and Educational Sciences) - Topic: Social work in Brandenburg's daycare centres and family centres
Prof. Dr Ulrike Wuttke (Professorship of Library Science - Strategies, Service Development, Science Communication, Department of Information Science) - Topic: T.R.A.C.K.S. "Training on Analytics, Compliance, Knowledge, and Security"

Addition to the university profile
In addition to the already established research professorships, which focus on gaining new scientific knowledge, the newly introduced transfer professorships add a practice-oriented dimension to the profile of the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences. These professorships promote the application of research results in real projects and strengthen co-operation with external partners. This dual orientation underlines FHP's commitment to making a significant contribution to both basic research and the practical implementation of knowledge.
"The transfer professorships open up new opportunities for our scientists to contribute their expertise to practical projects and to develop both progressive and sustainable solutions together with external partners. This not only strengthens the application orientation of our research, but also regional and supra-regional internal cooperation," explains Prof. Dr Peter Heisig, Vice President for Research and Transfer at Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.

With the introduction of the transfer professorships, Potsdam University of Applied Sciences is sending a clear signal about the importance of knowledge transfer and the close integration of science and practice. This model offers the opportunity to drive forward innovative projects and sustainably strengthen the university's social impact.

Further information 
Statutes for the establishment and awarding of professorships specialising in transfer ("transfer professorships")