NEOLAiA

Science Café kicks off with audio data research

2026-04-20T11:54:43+02:00

With a new Science Café series, Bielefeld University is once again opening up its research to the wider community. The series launches with a talk on “sonification” – the process of turning data into sound. The series is part of the European university alliance NEOLAiA and invites the public to engage, reflect and join the conversation.

Making research accessible, fostering dialogue and discovering new perspectives together – that is the goal of Bielefeld University’s new Science Café lecture series as part of the European university alliance NEOLAiA.Once a month, on selected Tuesdays from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m., researchers and members of the public meet in an informal setting.

The opening event on 28 April 2026 features Dr Thomas Hermann from the Faculty of Technology speaking about “sonification.” The term refers to the transformation of data into sound. Instead of viewing charts or graphs, audiences can hear data – such as climate patterns, heart signals (ECG) or activity in social networks. This opens up new ways of understanding information: the human ear often recognizes patterns differently, and sometimes even faster, than the eye. The talk will provide insights into how this acoustic form of data analysis works and where it is already being applied.

Future talks in the series will address topics such as weather forecasting in times of climate change and approaches in which children explain science themselves. These are accessible topics designed to spark discussion.

The Science Café series is part of NEOLAiA’s citizen science activities. Its aim is to connect research with society, promote exchange between academia and diverse societal stakeholders, and strengthen trust in scientific knowledge. Dialogue is therefore at the heart of the series: audiences are invited to ask questions, join the discussion and actively help shape research.

Further events in the series will take place on 2 June, 23 June and 21 July 2026 in the Main University Building (UHG), room S1-209. No registration is required.

Read the full blog post on the Bielefeld University website. (In German).

NEOLAIA Art Exhibition: Student-organised competition for Europe Day begins

2026-04-17T14:46:38+02:00

Bielefeld University invites students to take part in this year's NEOLAiA art exhibition - a place to share ideas, perspectives and creativity within our international university network. The exhibition aims to bring people together through art and highlight the diverse ways in which we experience student life, place and community. The Student Adivsory Group in Bielefeld organises the competition. Deadline for submissions is 5 May.

Selected works will be displayed on campus at an exhibition on 8 May to mark this year's Europe Day.

Click here for more information.

General Meeting of Work Package 2 at Bielefeld University

2026-03-20T14:47:24+01:00

Bielefeld University was the European meeting place for innovative university teaching on 18 and 19 March. 25 international colleagues from the NEOLAiA alliance came together for their "WP2 General Meeting", a central working meeting.

The WP2 work package, which met in Bielefeld, focuses on the further development of teaching and learning. Specifically, it deals with innovative teaching formats, digital learning opportunities and new certificate models.

One focus of the meeting was on so-called "micro-credentials" and "digital badges". Micro-credentials are compact, certified learning units - in other words, small, clearly defined qualifications that students can acquire flexibly. Digital badges are digital badges that make these competences visible and comparable across Europe. In future, they could play an important role in documenting individual educational pathways more transparently - even across national borders.

The participants also discussed the expansion of a pedagogical hub, a joint platform for innovative teaching concepts within the Alliance. The Summer Schools and Focus Academies formats were also on the agenda - they are intended to bring together students from different partner universities and strengthen European perspectives in teaching. Specific curricula, checklists and common quality standards for the formats were discussed.

The meeting was deliberately designed to be interactive. In so-called "world café" formats, the participants discussed at round tables what has worked well in the cooperation to date, where there are obstacles and what support is needed in the future. Workshops were dedicated to the question of how the success of the projects can be measured - for example with the help of indicators, surveys and impact analyses.

During the meeting, the group also had time to get to know the Bielefeld campus and take part in a beer brewing seminar organised by the microbiologists at Bielefeld University.

Teaching without borders: How international BIPs open up new perspectives

2026-03-06T11:53:36+01:00

Students from several European countries discuss historical narratives together and work on research questions in international teams. Formats such as Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) or Spring Schools make this form of collaboration possible. They also offer teaching staff the opportunity to try out new teaching methods and develop innovative teaching formats together with international colleagues. Two Bielefeld teachers from the field of history, Dr Bettina Brandt and Dr des. Anna Horstmann, talk about their experiences with these mobility formats within the NEOLAiA university alliance. They explain what motivated them to take part, what impressions they took away from their collaboration with international students and colleagues and what impulses they were able to gain for their own teaching.

Which mobility format within NEOLAiA did you take part in and what did you do specifically?
Bettina Brandt: Between April and May 2024, I took part in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on the topic "From National to Global Dynamics? De-constructing Historical Narratives in 19th and 20th Century Europe" together with colleagues from the NEOLAiA partner universities Örebro, Ostrava and Tours. After three online workshops and accompanying the students in team and self-study phases, we met at the University of Örebro from 22 to 27 April 2024 and discussed European historical narratives in modern times in depth. Before that, in autumn 2022, I was also invited individually as a guest lecturer at the School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences at the University of Örebro in Sweden as part of the NEOLAiA alliance. There, embedded in courses taught by my colleague Izabela Dahl from Örebro, I discussed theories and methods of historical image studies with student teachers in a methods course. I am currently teaching a new BIP on the topic of "Alternative Historiographies" with colleagues - partly from the previous BIP and partly with new colleagues from the University of Suceava in Romania - as part of which we will be meeting at the University of Tours from 21 to 27 March 2026. I find the thematic development of the joint BIPs on historiography in Europe and its global dimensions inspiring. Based on previous experience, we can prepare new BIPs in a more structured way and, with new colleagues, also gain other perspectives and approaches to the topic. This creates a common framework within the Alliance in which the expertise and impulses of the partners enrich each other.

Dr Bettina Brandt

Anna Horstmann: I took part as a teaching staff member in a Spring School at the University of Ostrava from 3 to 7 March 2025. The format was also a blended intensive programme (Erasmus+) with online sessions and an on-site week beforehand. Students from Bielefeld University, Tours, Örebro and Ostrava took part - advanced BA students, but above all Master's students. The theme was "Re-shaping States, Identities and Cultures: Dynamic History Teaching and Learning in Border Regions". Together with a colleague from Örebro, I held an online session as well as teaching on site and accompanying excursions.

What motivated you to choose this form of mobility within NEOLAiA?
Bettina Brandt: I find the co-teaching of a BIP and the individual guest lectureship attractive because they allow you to gain intensive teaching experience in a different academic setting in a short space of time. I gain inspiration for my own teaching by exchanging ideas with colleagues from partner universities, which is a very lively and valuable experience. I also find it exciting to see the diversity of questions, perspectives and knowledge brought together by students and teaching staff from five or six European universities as part of a BIP. This sensitises us to the differences, but also the interconnectedness of historical experiences and expands our topics, problems and methods. This also motivates the students - some are taking part in a BIP for the second time.
Anna Horstmann: I was lucky enough to be able to draw on an existing co-operation. For me personally, it was very attractive to be able to gain international and English-language teaching experience as a relatively new postdoc. Such a short stay was easy for me to integrate into my daily work routine without having to reschedule other projects. Co-teaching was also a new format for me, which I found very enriching.

Dr des. Anna Horstmann

What did you find particularly surprising?
Bettina Brandt: I was surprised by how productively students from different linguistic and historical-cultural contexts worked together, developed research questions, examined sources and prepared presentations. It is a change for everyone to communicate in English in the subject; but it also makes you think about national conceptualisations and their historical influences. Conversely, mixed working groups benefit from the diverse language skills that come together so that multilingual source pools can be analysed together. It is a highlight when students are curious about different historical perspectives and reflect critically together on one-sided, nationally or Eurocentrically narrow historical narratives.
Anna Horstmann: I was very pleased to see how quickly the students left their initial language barriers behind and started talking to each other - both during the seminars and excursions and in their limited free time. The exchange, which for many students is the most important part of their stay abroad during entire Erasmus semesters, worked very well even in this short time. I also really enjoyed the exchange with the students and especially the other teaching staff. The comparison of teaching methods was particularly surprising. And despite the different teaching styles, all students managed to get involved in the seminar - even if they weren't used to active participation from their home university.

What did you take away from the mobility for your work as a teaching staff?
Bettina Brandt: The week at a European host university, which makes up the "Intensive" of the Blended Intensive Programme, broke through everyday routines and reminded me of essential things: taking time to talk to students, integrating project work into teaching, trying out something that I have seen my colleagues do, and integrating international research approaches and English-language literature even more naturally into the teaching programme. This also keeps teaching attractive for me.
Anna Horstmann: Being open to new formats and more experimental courses. I always have a lot of fun teaching, but being able to try out new things despite the routines that creep in was very enriching. I was also very impressed by the co-teaching format - I will be doing this again the semester after next with a colleague from Bielefeld University. It simply makes it possible to bring more perspectives and expertise into the course and to provide closer support for individual students.

Online workshop on the topic of BIP organisation
On 17 March, Bielefeld teaching staff who are interested in organising a blended intensive programme or a virtual course can take part in an online workshop. The offer is also explicitly aimed at English-speaking teaching staff.

Agreement for international Master's programme "Inclusion Studies"

2026-02-13T14:37:38+01:00

Common degree programme of Bielefeld University, Ostrava University and Suceava

University Bielefeld University has signed the agreement for the new multiple degree master course "Inclusion Studies". From the winter semester 2027/2028, the English-language degree programme will be offered jointly with the partner universities of Ostrava (Czech Republic) and Ștefan cel Mare in Suceava (Romania). Graduates receive a degree from all three universities. Bielefeld University, University of Ostrava and Suceava University are partners in the European university alliance NEOLAiA. Rector Professor Dr Angelika Epple signed the agreement in Bielefeld.

Further information on the signing of the agreement can be found on the university's Aktuell blog.

NEOLAiA Year 2025 draws to a close – NEOLAiA Year 2026 is just around the corner

2025-12-17T11:50:44+01:00

At the end of the year, the Bielefeld student representatives in the European university alliance NEOLAiA will bid farewell to the students in Bielefeld. On Thursday, 18 December, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a little European Christmas surprise for all students who stop by in front of the Audimax. But that's not all: Bielefeld students can already find out about opportunities for stays abroad in Europe in 2026 through NEOLAiA and apply now.

Several opportunities for short-term mobility in 2026 are currently being advertised within the European university alliance NEOLAiA. These opportunities enable Bielefeld students to gain international experience in Europe as part of their studies. These opportunities include a Focus Academy on ‘Data analytics for inclusion and diversity’ with a short one-week stay at the University of Jaen in Spain and various forms of the ‘Summer Academy for Entrepreneurship’ for Bachelor's and Master's students.

At a Focus Academy, students take a course that consists of online components with lecturers and students from European partner universities within NEOLAiA. For a short mobility phase, usually lasting one week, the course group then comes together at one of the NEOLAiA locations in Europe. Summer academies usually take place for a short period at one of the NEOLAiA locations in Europe. Mobility can be funded through Erasmus+.

The process for Bielefeld students is simple. They click on the desired courses in the ekVV to add them to their study plan and thus apply for participation. The next steps then follow.

Photo: Bielefeld University

NEOLAiA representatives at the global meeting in Salerno

2025-12-09T11:22:12+01:00

In the first week of December, the University of Salerno (Italy) invited around 150 representatives from the nine NEOLAiA universities to the global meeting of the European University Alliance. The 16-strong delegation from Bielefeld University led by Rector Professor Dr Angelika Epple and Professor Dr Michaela Vogt, Vice Rector for International Affairs, Diversity and Society, was also present. The purpose of the meeting was to reflect together at the halfway point of the first funding phase on where NEOLAiA stands in the development of the networked European university alliance, which milestones have already been successfully achieved and which lie ahead for the European partners.

You can read the full article on the University's blog.

Europe meets in Bielefeld

2025-12-03T12:41:33+01:00

The NEOLAiA Focus Academy celebrated its premiere at Bielefeld University, bringing together students from across Europe to explore digital transformation and entrepreneurship. Through a combination of online phases and an intensive in-person week, participants gained practical insights, worked on real-world case studies, and experienced vibrant international collaboration.

A soft murmur fills the seminar room. Students from Spain, Sweden, Romania, Lithuania, Cyprus, and Germany lean over shared assignments, discuss ideas, laugh, and compare approaches. Someone sketches a business model on the whiteboard; two others spontaneously test a digital tool. The atmosphere is both focused and full of energy. This is exactly what the Focus Academy feels like, making its debut at Bielefeld University this year.

For one week, students from many NEOLAiA partner universities were invited to Bielefeld to engage deeply with “Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship.” The group had already grown closer during the earlier online phases, but it is here, in the physical seminar room, that the full diversity of perspectives unfolds: technical, societal, and economic questions intersect; ideas collide and open up new ways of thinking.

The international teaching team from Bielefeld, Jaén, and Örebro brings great dedication to the Academy. Prof. Dr. Sabrina Backs, Dr. Markus Günther, Dr. Noelia García Buendía, Dr. Vojtech Klezl, and Dr. Claes Gunnarsson show how digital technologies are reshaping the world of work, what opportunities emerge for entrepreneurs, and which risks accompany digital transformation. Students particularly appreciate the blend of academic insight and practical relevance: they work in interdisciplinary teams on real-world challenges provided by the Gütersloh-based company Miele and apply their knowledge directly. Presentations, short inputs, and interactive tasks keep the course dynamic and encourage active engagement.

An enriching international atmosphere

Many participants describe the international setting as highly enriching, both professionally and personally. New friendships form almost effortlessly, and the collaborative work highlights how diverse—and at the same time how productively aligned—European perspectives can be.

With the Focus Academy, Bielefeld University sends a strong signal within the European University Alliance NEOLAiA: learning in an international network, shaping future-oriented topics together, and making digital transformation tangible. The premiere in Bielefeld demonstrates impressively how much potential this format holds—and how enthusiastically students respond to it.

From left to right: Dr Noelia García Buendía, lecturer at the NEOLAiA Focus Academy at the University of Jaén; Dr Thomas Görzen from Miele as company representative; Dr Markus Günther, senior lecturer at Bielefeld University and co-organiser and lecturer at the Academy; Prof. Dr Dario Anselmetti, Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching at Bielefeld University; Prof. Dr. Sabrina Backs, lecturer at the Focus Academy and co-module coordinator from Bielefeld University; Dr. Vojtech Klezl, senior lecturer and NEOLAiA lecturer from Örebro University; and Dr. Claes Gunnarsson, also senior lecturer and lecturer at Örebro University. Photo: Norma Langohr / Bielefeld University

A total of 24 students from Germany, Sweden, Romania, Spain, Cyprus and Lithuania came together at the first Focus Academy in Bielefeld. They had already taken part in online courses beforehand. Photo: Norma Langohr / Bielefeld University

NEOLAiA at the Bielefeld BI.teach Day

2025-11-27T14:05:53+01:00

At Bielefeld University's Teaching Day, teaching staff were also able to find out about the opportunities for innovative teaching formats within NEOLAiA. Whether teaching as Blended intensive programmes or Focus Academy - at the information stand, the teaching staff received all the information they needed and were able to exchange ideas.

At the annual Teaching Day at Bielefeld University, teaching staff and students discuss a current teaching topic. This year's title: Rethinking Exams - How do we want to learn and examine? The main focus was on the use of artificial intelligence in studying and teaching, with keynote speeches, practical workshops and opportunities for dialogue.

Johanna Springhorn provides information at the NEOLAiA stand at BI.teach at Bielefeld University. Photo: Karolin Liedtke/ Bielefeld University

Data Stories for Europe: Interview with Katharina Weiß

2025-11-20T12:28:51+01:00

How can science communication strengthen democracy and make European collaboration more tangible? In this interview, Katharina Weiß, Delegate in Work Package 8 of the European University Alliance NEOLAiA at Bielefeld University, discusses the role of data storytelling, the development of the Data Story Center, and new opportunities for cross-European cooperation. She explains why accessible data is essential for informed societal decision-making and how students can play an active part. → Read the full interview (in German)

Interview with Vice Rector Michaela Vogt: "NEOLAiA offers more and more opportunities for international experience"

2025-11-11T16:22:24+01:00

The university has been part of the European University Alliance NEOLAiA for almost two years - together with eight other European universities. There are also more and more offers for employees that enable mobility and appointments abroad via NEOLAiA. A NEOLAiA update in the uni.intern interview with Professor Dr Michaela Vogt, Vice Rector for International Affairs, Diversity and Society.

NEOLAiA has been running for almost two years. What exciting things are currently happening?
It's almost half-time in the first funding phase. And NEOLAiA is increasingly turning from a project into a joint movement. Students, teaching staff, researchers and employees can now actively participate in a wide range of programmes and gain international experience. The visibility of NEOLAiA on our campus is increasing and the alliance is becoming part of our identity as a university.

A few examples: Looking back a little, I am particularly pleased that students from four NEOLAiA universities were also guests at our summer German courses in Bielefeld. Or that a large part of the ZAB team recently travelled to our Swedish partner university Örebro to exchange ideas with experts on inclusion topics. More and more researchers from Bielefeld University are also participating in NEOLAiA's Research Hub, taking advantage of the opportunity to network with other researchers on their topics in a low-threshold and effective way.

We also present the Alliance's progress at international trade fairs such as the European Association for International Education (EAIE) in Gothenburg and at formats such as the Innovation Festival here on campus in September. The first so-called Focus Academy under Bielefeld management is just around the corner.

Focus Academy - what is it?
A Focus Academy is a special international teaching format. It is financially supported by Erasmus+ funds as a variant of a Blended Intensive Programme (BIPs). Such a course group with teaching staff and students from different European universities works together digitally and also meets in person for a week. Professor Dr Sabrina Backs and Dr Markus Günther from the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics are offering such a Focus Academy on the topic of "Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship" this winter semester and have invited many NEOLAiA students and teaching staff to attend. As we work closely together in our alliance, we are able to attract interested lecturers, students and teaching staff from our NEOLAiA partners for such formats at a low threshold. The Department of Studies and Teaching and the International Office make a significant contribution to the conception, organisation and implementation of these international formats.

That was an example from the area of study and teaching. What does NEOLAiA offer employees in administration?
Here, too, there are many positive developments that I am really pleased about and that give me the feeling that NEOLAiA is also leading to an international "boost" in our administration! A very recent example: under the leadership of colleagues from our health management team in Bielefeld, the NEOLAiA network "HR Health" began its work in September. This so-called Staff Network - a network of administrative colleagues for administrative colleagues within the Alliance - works at the interface between HR and health management. The newly established network is focussing on how well-being can be improved at all NEOLAiA locations. It looks for good examples and analyses interfaces where we can learn from each other as Alliance partners. The colleagues in this network are also initiating the first NEOLAiA Staff Week next year, which will take place here in Bielefeld. Bielefeld colleagues from the administration also took part in Staff Weeks organised by our partners or got to know the equivalents of their area of work at other NEOLAiA locations through job shadowing formats. More and more employees are now displaying an interest in such developments and developing their own ideas. Of course I'm very pleased about that!

Staff Week and Job Shadowing - what are they and how can employees take part?
Staff Weeks are funded by the European Union's Staff Mobility programme for university staff. The programme facilitates stays abroad for knowledge exchange and further training. Colleagues can apply before each semester. These Staff Weeks are now being systematically developed within NEOLAiA. It is worth taking a regular look at the NEOLAiA European website.

Job shadowing, on the other hand, refers to specific educational ambitions of individual employees. They then look for a suitable counterpart at one of the NEOLAiA partner universities. Funding via Erasmus+ funds is generally possible. The colleagues in the International Office provide advice and networking. As Vice Rector, I am deeply convinced that an internationally experienced and professionalised administration, which is also keen to engage in European exchange, is the crucial backbone of our internationalisation efforts at the university!

Keyword information: Where do employees find out more about NEOLAiA?
The Communication Office publicises the offers on various university information channels. The NEOLAiA website for Bielefeld summarises news about NEOLAiA with a focus on Bielefeld. Anyone who is interested can obtain comprehensive information, including via uni.intern, the university displays and the university's social media channels. There is also an English-language newsletter that appears regularly and, of course, the Alliance's European website. If you are interested in NEOLAiA, you can find out more and get involved - initiative and your own ideas are welcome. The e-mail address neolaia@uni-bielefeld.de is another good contact point for this.

Kick-off meeting of the HR Health network

2025-10-07T15:48:04+02:00

Kick-off meeting of the HR Health network
Bielefeld University leads new network within NEOLAIA

Working together to improve well-being in the European higher education landscape: This is the aim of the new HR Health employee network within the European University Alliance NEOLAiA. Julia Burian (Director of Health Management and Head of Academic Career and Staff Development at GrACe) is leading the network in cooperation with Janina Theismann (employee in Health Management and the Accessibility Centre) at Bielefeld University. The network has now come together for its first digital kick-off meeting.

The new NEOLAiA network aims to establish international peer groups within the Alliance that work at the interface between HR and health management. The experts from the nine NEOLAiA universities will engage in dialogue in both digital and face-to-face formats. The focus will be on topics such as health in personnel development, especially in early career development, the further development of organisational culture and healthy working environments at universities. Employees from the administrations of NEOLAiA universities from HR development, health management and psychosocial counselling centres will come together for this purpose. The first kick-off meeting focussed on getting to know each other and jointly shaping future network work.

To kick things off, Julia Burian and Janina Theismann gave the international partners an insight into the importance of (mental) health for all staff at Bielefeld University, how it is promoted and which structures and contact points play a role here. Two further meetings are already planned: Firstly, the Bielefeld team will present their European colleagues with the "Bielefeld questionnaire on working conditions and (mental) health at universities" as a university-specific survey instrument as well as key research findings on the health situation from nationwide surveys at universities. The UniMaps app for barrier-free navigation on campus will then be presented and questions about the possibilities of establishing it at other universities will be answered.

In 2026, the accessibility services (ZAB) and Health Management will organise a staff week on the topics of health, inclusion and accessibility in Bielefeld. During this week, a face-to-face meeting of the HR Health Network will also take place in Bielefeld. Here, partners of the European university network - including those from Bielefeld - can get to know each other on site at Bielefeld University and network further. Funding via ERASMUS is possible. The Staff Week is expected to take place from 18-22 May 2026, further information will follow.

Stage for diversity and inclusion at the Innovation Festival

2025-09-18T09:25:14+02:00

How can diversity and inclusion be promoted and practised at universities and in the workplace? Dr Amelie Labusch, Chelsea Wahner and Silvia Burkhardt from Workpackage 3 Diversity and Inclusion, led by Professor Dr Michaela Vogt, presented answers to these questions at the first Bielefeld Innovation Festival and discussed them with the festival community.

With the active support of the auxiliary staff, the team presented the NEO Best database: the first 45 examples of promoting diversity and inclusion at the nine NEOLAiA universities. From personal stories to digital slideshows - the interactive gallery "Diversity in Action" visualises how diversity and inclusion are lived within NEOLAiA. The festival setting also offered visitors the opportunity to present best practices and engage in dialogue.

The team also offered the workshop "Diversity and inclusion as drivers of innovation" at the Innovation Festival. After a keynote speech by Amelie Labusch on the connection between diversity and inclusion as drivers of innovation, Jörg Westphal from BST GmbH and Thanh Thuy Ta Thi, a student at Bielefeld University, discussed diversity as a strategic advantage in the world of work and how young talents want diversity in the workplace. The workshop participants then developed creative solutions for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and presented their ideas.

Dr Amelie Labusch (right) was delighted with the high level of interest in the NEO Best database. Photo: Julia Bömer /Bielefeld University

NEOLAiA Returns to EAIE 2025 with a Shared Vision for Higher Education

2025-09-01T11:31:24+02:00

For the second time, the NEOLAiA Alliance will participate in Europe’s largest higher education internationalization conference: EAIE 2025 in Gothenburg.

Together with INGENIUM and EU Green, NEOLAiA will showcase its commitment to inclusive, student-centred, and innovative education from 9–12 September.

Discover more about NEOLAiA’s mission, projects, and activities at EAIE 2025 in the full article on our website.

Learn German, Experience Bielefeld

2025-09-01T10:34:57+02:00

In August, Bielefeld University became a lively hub of international exchange. 111 students from 16 countries joined the German Summer Courses. Among them were 13 students from NEOLAiA partner universities in Spain, France, the Czech Republic, and Romania. With backgrounds in fields as diverse as natural sciences, law, teacher training, and data science, they all found their place among courses ranging from beginner (A2) to advanced (C1). Specialized classes allowed those with higher levels to deepen their German in subject-specific areas such as law, politics, or technology.

Learning through Exchange

The intensive atmosphere inspired many. Eva Švančarová from Ostrava, who studies Chemistry and Biology, explained: “At first I was afraid I wouldn’t understand everything. But after just a few days, I realized how much I had grown.” She especially valued grammar combined with conversation: “Our teacher encouraged us to speak with confidence, even if we made mistakes.”

Adelina Elena Culicovschi from Suceava echoed this sentiment: “I had reservations at first that such an intensive program would be a bit complicated to complete, but now that I am at the finish, I just wish it wouldn’t end.”

Afternoon workshops such as Scrapbooking, Creative Writing, and Board Games added variety. For Tereza Marejková from Ostrava, Scrapbooking was a highlight: “I really enjoyed creating something creative while taking home a wonderful memory of my time in Bielefeld.”

Encounters that Last

Outside class, participants explored the region and enjoyed shared experiences. Trips to Cologne, Hannover, and Detmold, karaoke nights, or a visit to the Arminia Bielefeld stadium created lasting memories. Rubén Márquez de Amo from Jaén summed it up: “The environment at Bielefeld University is incredible, tailored to every student and full of an inspiring international atmosphere.”

Students were more than visitors, they became part of a community. Host families welcomed them, the university provided modern facilities, and a dedicated team organized the courses. Many now consider internships or even graduate studies in Germany.

The German Summer Courses take place every August. One thing is certain: Bielefeld University will continue to open doors, to language, culture, and lifelong friendships.

Eva Švančarová (left), Adelina Elena Culicovschi and Tereza Marejková (right) were among this year's participants in the German Summer courses at Bielefeld University. Photo: Nienhaus

Rubén Marquez De Amo enjoyed the international atmosphere at the university. Photo: private

NEOBest database: 45 examples of diversity and inclusion in the NEOLAiA alliance

2025-08-13T09:31:46+02:00

Development of the database under the direction of Bielefeld University

The Diversity and Inclusion Work Package (lead: Professor Michaela Vogt, coordination: Dr Amelie Labusch from Bielefeld University) has published the first version of the NEOBest database. NEOBest provides practical examples from all nine NEOLAiA universities that demonstrate how barriers can be overcome - regardless of whether they are physical, digital, structural or social in nature. Initially, a total of 45 examples are included, five best practices per university.

The collected examples come from different areas of all nine universities and display innovative approaches - from individual programmes and training courses to student initiatives and institutionalised offers, such as permanently established contact points at the NEOLAiA partner universities. The best practices are also aimed at different target groups - sometimes they are for students, sometimes explicitly for women, but often for all university members and also for the regions.

Bielefeld's examples of promoting diversity and inclusion are listed in NEOBest:

Café Anaconda
Visibility training for female academics
the diversity-orientated onboarding
the autonomous department for students with disabilities and other strengths (RSB)
the central accessibility services (ZAB)

This database complements the D&I NEO Charter signed within the Alliance and is another strong signal from NEOLAiA in favour of making diversity and inclusion even more visible throughout the Alliance and expanding them in the long term. NEOBest also symbolises how the partners within NEOLAiA can learn from each other.

The creation of the D&I NEOBest database took place in several phases and continues: last year, Michaela Vogt and Amelie Labusch travelled to all Alliance locations, learned about various examples of promoting diversity and inclusion and discussed them with colleagues and experts on site. The best practices were documented in detail and categorised with keywords to facilitate the exchange and learning from each other. The initial version of the NEOBest database is now growing continuously: every year, all NEOLAiA universities collect new examples and add them to the digital database.

Communication without borders: My internship in Örebro

2025-07-14T12:35:58+02:00

As part of her traineeship in university communications at Bielefeld University, Julia Baumann completed a two-week internship abroad at NEOLAiA partner university Örebro in Sweden. The goal was to gain new perspectives on international science communication and public outreach. In this interview, she shares her tasks on site, inspiring insights into Swedish work culture, and what she took away from the experience—both professionally and personally.

What tasks or projects were your main focus during your time abroad?

Julia Baumann: As part of the training plan for my traineeship in university communications, I was required to complete a two-week internship outside the university. The aim was to get to know how other communications departments work. However, my internship abroad at Örebro University went far beyond simple job shadowing. I was not only able to observe the work of the science communicators there but also actively contribute. For example, I helped organize a public science communication event and created a short reel about it. I also interviewed two legal scholars from Örebro and Bielefeld universities and wrote an English report on their joint NEOLAiA Law Network meeting. A particular highlight was attending the NEOLAiA Research Support Team Seminar in Örebro, which happened to take place during my internship period.

Were there any aspects or experiences during your stay that particularly inspired you?

Julia Baumann: I was especially inspired by the work culture in Sweden—especially the collegial atmosphere. The department often starts the day with a shared coffee break, open to anyone who wants to join. It’s a chance for team members across departments to connect—talking about upcoming graduation celebrations, weekend plans, or their loved ones. Many colleagues also spend lunchtime together in the kitchen, often bringing their own meals. For those with extra energy, there’s even the option to join in on lunchtime sports. What left a lasting impression on me was how intentionally my Swedish colleagues made time for each other during the workday—outside of formal meetings. This strengthens team spirit and fosters appreciation across the department, beyond just the professional sphere.

What would you say you’ve taken away from this international experience—professionally or personally?

Julia Baumann: For me, gaining insight into the daily routines and organizational workflows was truly eye-opening. The department takes a holistic approach to communication: text, social media, imagery, and translation are closely integrated. Professionally, I learned how science communicators present complex research—such as dissertation findings—in a way that is understandable and accessible for websites, press releases, or social media. On a personal level, I was impressed not only by the sense of togetherness but also by how warmly I was welcomed. I didn’t feel like a “typical” intern but more like an integrated member of the team. This allowed me to learn a lot from my Swedish colleagues and also to share my own insights into our structures and programs. I’m taking the value of this international exchange with me—both professionally and personally.

Julia Baumann (right) with Communications officer Anna Lorentzon from Örebro University. Photo: Jasenka Dobric

Premiere: First Focus Academy Launches in Bielefeld

2025-07-03T12:24:33+02:00

Bielefeld University is organizing the NEOLAiA Focus Academy for the first time. The theme of the course is “Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurship.” The course, organized by researchers from the NEOLAiA universities in Bielefeld, Jaén, and Örebro, consists of virtual phases in November and December. The highlight will be the in-person week from 24 to 28 November 2025 at Bielefeld University. During this week, students from all NEOLAiA partner universities will gather in Bielefeld to explore the course topic from various perspectives together with experts. This is the first time the Academy is being led by teaching staff from Bielefeld within the framework of the European University Alliance NEOLAiA.

The teaching team—Prof. Dr. Sabrina Backs and Dr. Markus Günther (Bielefeld University), Sebastian Bruque (University of Jaén, Spain), and Vojtech Klezl (Örebro University, Sweden)—will equip participants with key knowledge and methods related to digital transformation processes. The course focuses not only on technological developments but also on their societal and economic impacts.

Students will learn how digitalization is changing entrepreneurial activities, what opportunities arise from it, and what risks are involved. They will apply their knowledge directly by working in interdisciplinary teams on real-world case studies. Presentations and online quizzes will be part of the performance assessment.

The program begins on 3 November with an online introduction and takes place in several phases: online workshops, an asynchronous phase, and a five-day in-person week in Bielefeld. The course is aimed at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students interested in digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and international perspectives. Each NEOLAiA partner can nominate three students. Remaining spots will be filled from a waiting list. Participants will earn 3 ECTS credits, which can be directly used in the Individual Supplementary Area. Further academic recognition may be requested.

Nominations must be submitted by 22 September 2025 via email to markus.guenther@uni-bielefeld.de.

More information about the Focus Academy can be found here.

For questions, please contact: markus.guenther@uni-bielefeld.de, cc: neolaia.courses@uni-bielefeld.de

Blended Intensive Programme in Bielefeld: International perspectives on education

2025-06-11T14:52:49+02:00

Six countries, many ideas: In the blended intensive programme "Breaking the Bubble", international experts and students shed light on education systems in an international comparison. Together, they explore inclusion, culture and information policy. A varied programme ensures intensive discussions and new perspectives. A total of almost 30 students and teaching staff from various NEOLAiA universities are guests at Bielefeld University this week for the blended intensive programme.

How do different education systems work? Students and teaching staff are exploring this question in the blended intensive programme "Breaking the Bubble" at Bielefeld University, which is being run by Michaela Vogt and Amelie Labusch. They are accompanied by experts from Germany, Italy, Cyprus, India, Iran and Ukraine. After an introductory tour of the campus, participants will take part in workshops on issues of inclusion, exclusion, cultural differences and more. Lectures such as those by Erika Pace (Salerno), Agni Stylianou (Nicosia) and Amelie Labusch (Bielefeld) provide insights into international perspectives. In group work, students explore the challenges in different education systems. Excursions - for example to the accessibility services (ZAB) - and joint evening events promote exchange. The aim is to break down barriers, broaden perspectives - and break through your own "bubble".

"We must foster international collaboration"

2025-06-03T13:14:30+02:00

The 1st Summer Conference of the NEOLAiA Law Network demonstrates how the network enriches the work of legal scholars across Europe with an international perspective. “International cooperation enables me to tackle transnational legal challenges more effectively by pooling diverse expertise”, says Matteo Gentile, researcher from Bielefeld University who travelled to Örebro to participate and present at the conference.

The NEOLAiA Law Network (NLN) was founded with the aim of providing a platform for cooperation between legal scholars from the NEOLAiA partner universities. The NLN not only enables legal scholars to collaborate across Europe, but also gives them an international perspective on their own work.

The 1st Summer Conference of the NEOLAiA Law Network in Örebro was an important step in this direction. Over 50 law researchers of the NLN from the universities in Örebro, Salerno, Jaén, Suceava, Bielefeld, Tours, Nicosia and Reykjavik came together to spend two days discussing their research perspectives on common constitutional traditions of the EU and new teaching and learning methods in law with AI. It was the first time that the international members of the NLN met in person.

Great opportunity for academic exchange

A great success, says legal researcher Karin Blad from Örebro University: “Hearing other researchers’ perspectives on national but also on our common EU law is always useful. We need to promote international co-operation and broaden our perspectives through scientific mobility. And when collaborating, it’s always more productive to meet in person. This is why we have organised this conference." The conference marks the start of a more intense phase for the network and the linking of individual research projects.

Karin Blad is a senior lecturer at the Department of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences at Örebro University and researches corporate law and solvency law. She was a part of the conference organising committee and is convinced that the NEOLAiA Law Network is a great opportunity for academic exchange. She says: “It's always good to meet researchers from other countries because many of the legal provisions we all have are affected by European Union legislation. This provides a good starting point for talking about differences and similarities between our national laws. The EU therefore connects us as international researchers beyond national borders."

Karin Blad explains that within the NLN early-stage researchers are especially important. The aim is to encourage them to network internationally at the start of their careers.

Connecting universities with strong regional focus

Matteo Gentile is one of these early-career researchers whose work is enriched by the NLN. He is a legal scholar and a PhD candidate at Bielefeld University: “I write my thesis about environmental law, which, although based on German law, is deeply influenced by European Union legislation. EU laws set the foundation that member states, including Germany, have adapted. This shows how internationalisation directly shapes my research.”

Matteo Gentile travelled to Örebro to be part of the NLN conference as a participant and also as a speaker. He says: “International cooperation enables me to tackle transnational legal challenges more effectively by pooling diverse expertise”.

Besides his presentation about constitutional mechanisms in Italy and Germany and his participation in a debate about AI in the context of academic education, he held a lecture about German environmental law, but also on the reutilisation of mining areas. This shows, how legal topics arouse interest across national borders.

Matteo Gentile is convinced that NEOLAiA provides universities with a productive international network: “The NEOLAiA platform connects regional research to a broader European context, enhancing its impact. We are not Berlin, we are Bielefeld. It’s Örebro, not Stockholm. While its partner universities, like Bielefeld and Örebro, each have a strong regional focus, NEOLAiA helps them transcend these local perspectives. This collaboration fosters the exchange of knowledge across diverse regions, strengthening their collective influence.”

In the future, he hopes that networks such as those created by the conference will be further strengthened: “I strongly support the idea of holding the conference regularly in different countries to ensure broad participation. This network fosters cross-border relationships, encouraging diverse perspectives that enrich legal research. Such exchanges with researchers from all over Europe can lead to breakthroughs and deeper reflection on our own work.”

Why is the international cooperation through the NLN important for you?

Karin Blad: Research thrives on collaboration and collegial exchange. By bringing together scholars I might never meet, the NLN turns solitary questions into comparative conversations that deepen legal understanding. Every encounter sharpens ideas, forges alliances, and turns insight into action.

Matteo Gentile: The NEOLAiA Law Network allows me to make contacts to other researchers that might help me in my further career. It gives me a great possibility to exchange with lawyers from different countries and different scientific backgrounds and therefore, different perspectives. Presenting my research in an environment like this is challenging - especially because it is in different language that my usual research - but it sharpens my understanding of my own work.

Further Informations:

NEOLAiA (from the Greek word for youth) is an alliance of nine young European universities with robust rankings and strong regional presence. The 1st Summer Conference of the NEOLAiA Law Network took place from 19 to 20 May at Örebro University. The annual conference will be hosted by a different NEOLAiA partner university each year.The network plans a joint publication on the topics discussed after each conference in order to secure the output for the research community in the long term.

Matteo Gentile, researcher from Bielefeld University, and Karin Blad, researcher from Örebro University, participated in the conference. Foto: Julia Baumann/ Bielefeld University

Diversity Day at the University

2025-05-23T14:35:58+02:00

The University is taking part in the nationwide Diversity Day on Tuesday, 27 May, with activities in the University Hall. There will also be information stands from the Diversity Department and NEOLAiA.

On Tuesday, 27 May, the committed players will be presenting their stands in the University Hall from 10 am to 2 pm. They will show how the university is committed to an appreciative and unprejudiced work and study culture. NEOLAiA will be present with a stand organised by the Student Advisory Group, among others.

The Diversity and Inclusion work package will be organising a live stream of the event from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.

NEOLAiA: Signing of the D&I NEOcharter in Ostrava

2025-05-16T09:44:05+02:00

This week, representatives of the nine partner universities of the European University Alliance NEOLAiA met in Ostrava (Czech Republic) - including representatives of Bielefeld University. One of the highlights in Ostrava was the signing of the D&I NEOcharter. The NEOLAiA work package on diversity and inclusion, which is coordinated by Bielefeld University, developed, promoted and implemented the charter in coordination with the European partners.

With the D&I NEOcharter, the first charter within the alliance was signed by all rectors - Professor Dr Angelika Epple and Professor Dr Michaela Vogt, as head of the work package on diversity and inclusion within NEOLAiA, signed on behalf of Bielefeld University.

Read more about the meeting in Ostrava and the D&I NEOCharter in the university's Aktuell blog.

Bringing a New Zealand Perspective to NEOLAiA

2025-05-13T11:11:33+02:00

Professor Joce Nuttall, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education from the University of Canterbury (New Zealand), recently visited Bielefeld University. As a new member of NEOLAiA’s External Advisory Board (EAB), she brings a valuable outsider’s perspective to the European university alliance.

With Professor Joce Nuttall joining the NEOLAiA External Advisory Board, the alliance is broadening its perspectives beyond Europe. The renowned educational researcher from the University of Canterbury was recently welcomed at Bielefeld University – and expressed her admiration for the potential of NEOLAiA:

“I have joined the NEOLAiA External Advisory Board only recently, so I’m still learning about its role, but I think the University of Canterbury can contribute by bringing a genuinely ‘outside’ perspective to the work of the alliance. Although our cultural and university contexts are different, we are working on similar issues of diversity and inclusion in education. We can respectfully raise questions and suggestions informed by our different intellectual and cultural standpoints.

Coming from a country with only eight universities in total, the creation of the NEOLAiA alliance seems breathtaking! The combined commitment and intellectual weight created by combining the resources of nine universities across different parts of Europe is truly impressive. I’m excited to learn more at the EAB in Ostrava next week about the vision and activities of NEOLAiA.”

Welcoming such a distinguished partner highlights NEOLAiA’s ambition to build an excellent and diverse network – far beyond European borders. With her expertise in education policy and equity, Professor Nuttall enriches the alliance with new perspectives on equal footing.

Nuttall was accompanied by Dr. Christoph Teschers, Academic Lead in Education Studies and Senior Lecturer at the University of Canterbury. During their stay, the guests engaged in in-depth exchanges with various research groups at the Faculty of Educational Science and explored opportunities for joint research projects. They met with the faculty leadership, representatives of the Bielefeld School of Education and of the International Office, attended the ceremonial opening of the Graduate and Academic Career Development Centre (GrACe) at Bielefeld University, and held discussions with representatives of the Department for Research Support and Transfer regarding EU cooperation and funding opportunities. The agenda also included a meeting with the university’s Executive Board and the signing of a previously negotiated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). During a visit to the Laboratory School, they gained further insight into the local pedagogical approach. Finally, they explored concrete avenues for future collaboration within the NEOLAiA alliance.

Professor Dr Joce Nuttall (left) visited Bielefeld University at the invitation of Professor Dr Michaela Vogt, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Diversity and Society and Head of Work Package 3 (centre). She was accompanied by Dr Christoph Teschers, also from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Photo: Dr Kristina Nienhaus

Professor Dr Michaela Vogt, Professor Dr Saskia Bender, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Bielefeld University, Professor Dr Joce Nuttall and Dr Christoph Teschers at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. Photo: Bielefeld University

Together for Europe’s Future

2025-05-08T08:31:01+02:00

What can the university contribute to the future of Europe? And how is this vision put into practice in a European university alliance such as NEOLAiA? On the occasion of Europe Day on 9 May, representatives from four of the nine NEOLAiA universities report on their experiences and goals. In the interview, they show how diverse and at the same time united European cooperation at universities can be.

Read the full interview here.

Attacks in Ukrainian city of Sumy - Expression of solidarity

2025-04-15T15:27:59+02:00

As a member of the European University Alliance NEOLAiA, Bielefeld University maintains special relationships with associated partners in Ukraine - including Sumy State University. An expression of solidarity with the Ukrainian partners.

You can read the Statement of Bielefeld University here.