FAQ

Heinrich Heine University sees itself as a Citizens’ University. This means that we bring science and society together in dialogue. The Public Engagement Unit therefore promotes and supports all scientists who wish to become active in science communication and participatory research. In a free programme of public events, our scientists share their research with citizens and invite them to engage in open dialogue. Interested citizens can also actively participate in research as part of participatory research projects. With this focus as a Citizens’ University, HHU fulfills its social responsibility, increases the acceptance of research results and scientific innovations, and in turn allows ideas and impulses from society to flow into research.

The focus of the Citizens’ University is on dialogue between researchers at Heinrich Heine University and citizens in Düsseldorf and the surrounding region. The Citizens’ University sees itself as a public and free service for everyone, regardless of age, gender, origin, educational background or income. Everyone is welcome to participate in our events and engage in dialogue with us.

On the other hand, the aim is to support and assist HHU scientists in conducting this dialogue through science communication, participatory research, citizen science and society-oriented teaching. Numerous funding and advisory services are therefore available to them within the framework of the Citizens’ University. All information can be found on our website.

...citizen science and society-oriented teaching.

As a Citizens’ University, HHU aims to enable society to participate in the research and teaching activities of the University. To this end, we offer a free programme of public events throughout the year. Most of the events take place at the Haus der Universität (“University House”) in Düsseldorf city centre.

The programme is published in April and October each year. It contains a specially compiled selection of different events from all areas of the University, ranging from traditional scientific lectures and panel discussions to science slams and other interactive formats. The programme is published on our website and can be downloaded as a PDF file. Printed booklets are available at the Haus der Universität, at various locations on the university campus and throughout the city.

To stay up to date on new events or changes, please take a look at our online calendar.

Please feel free to contact our Public Engagement Unit team at any time (buergeruni(at)hhu.de). We can then discuss together which means and methods are suitable for communicating your topic, what support and funding opportunities are available, or how we can plan an event together as part of our events programme.

For press inquiries, please contact the Press and Communications Unit.

Events must facilitate dialogue between science and society to be included in the programme. Interactive formats such as fishbowl discussions, science slams, or formats with live votes are particularly suitable for this purpose. However, traditional formats such as lectures, panel discussions and exhibitions are also welcome.

The events should fulfil the following criteria:

• Researchers present their own research results and/or a current scientific issue is addressed
• HHU scientists are involved
• The topic is easy to understand and relevant to an audience without prior/specialist knowledge
• The format promotes low-threshold interaction with the audience and gives them the opportunity to participate

The Public Engagement Unit decides on admission to the programme, in consultation with the President of HHU if necessary.

HHU scientists can apply for funding in the areas of science communication, participatory research and citizen science, and society-oriented teaching as part of the Citizens’ University programme. The Public Engagement Unit provides advice and support on these and other questions and matters relating to dialogue with society in research and teaching. In addition, regular training courses on various aspects of science communication are offered.

The Citizens’ University offers a “Science Communication Fund” to support science communication formats. It is possible to apply for funding of up to €1,000 for individual projects. All information about the funding can be found here.

To strengthen participatory research, HHU supports its researchers with regular calls for proposals in the “Citizens’ University in Research” funding programme and a tailored advice offering from the Public Engagement Unit. Further information can be found here.

Since 2018, the “Community-oriented Teaching” programme has been supporting course formats that promote social engagement among students and seek dialogue with society. You can find more information about the funding here.