Ulysseus Days at the University of Münster
The Ulysseus Days took place in Münster from 28 to 30 October 2024. On October 28 and 29, 2024, the Münster Innovation Hub held its official launch within the Ulysseus Alliance at the University of Münster with the event “Explore and Connect: Meet the Innovation Hub of Socio-Ecological Sustainability” as part of the Ulysseus Days theme, “Navigating Pathways to a Sustainable Future.”
The event introduced all areas of the Innovation Hub. After the official welcome, Chief Scientific Officers Doris Fuchs and Tillmann Buttschardt delivered a keynote, introducing the theme and explaining sustainability from ecological and social science perspectives. In the following panel discussion, Vice-Rector Michael Quante presented the University of Münster’s sustainability strategy, and various ZIN members provided insights into the fields of education, research, transfer, and governance.
On Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, the event programme offered the opportunity to delve into the three fields of action of the Innovation Hub - education, research and transfer - as well as the central cross-sectional element of real-world laboratories & living labs in one session each and to explore various facets of sustainability. The main focus was on presenting the University of Münster's sustainability activities while also establishing connections with the Ulysseus partners. The exploratory visits (‘lab visits’) to MEET, the city laboratory, the botanical garden and REACH as well as the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) city tour rounded off the programme on Tuesday afternoon.
Additionally, the R&I conference ‘Sustainable Innovations’ took place on 30 October as part of the Ulysseus Days at the University of Münster. With around 60 participants, we experienced an exciting and active conference in the SoN building. After the opening and a keynote speech by Vice-Rector Prof Dr Michael Quante, which encouraged reflection on the moral rights of future generations, impulse presentations followed that offered various perspectives on socio-ecological sustainability. Throughout the day, parallel sessions and presentations explored topics such as maritime tourism, sustainable education, recycled materials and the intersection of sustainability and technology, fostering innovative ideas.
The three days were very well attended with a total of 100 participants and we are delighted that we were able to welcome so many guests from our partner universities to the University of Münster.
