Shaping the future through research and knowledge transfer: Three new priority professorships awarded at TH Wildau in a ceremonial event

From pioneering quantum materials to citizen-centred digital administration and practical artificial intelligence for small and medium-sized enterprises: on 3 September 2026, three new research and knowledge transfer professorships were awarded at TH Wildau in a ceremonial setting. Over the next five years, Prof. Carolin Schmitz-Antoniak, Prof. Isabell Peters and Prof. Jörg Reiff-Stephan will shape key future topics for the university and the region.

On the morning of 3 September 2026, the packed Hofsaal on the Wildau campus provided the perfect backdrop for a landmark decision: Between 10.00 and 12.00, the ceremonial appointment and presentation of the new research and transfer professorships took place in a public university setting.
The event was opened by Prof. Klaus-Martin Melzer, Vice-president for Research and Transfer, who emphasised the importance of this funding mechanism: “The research and transfer professorships are one of the key instruments we have at our disposal to drive research and transfer forward at our university in a sustainable manner. They have proven their worth over many years. Through today’s appointments, we are creating further crucial levers and a new dynamic in our regional and national activities.”

Science as a continuum – from basic research to society

In her subsequent welcoming address, University President Prof. Ulrike Tippe situated the professorships within the strategic development of TH Wildau and the higher education landscape. Basic research, applied research and transfer are no longer separate disciplines, but form a seamless continuum: “As a University of Applied Sciences, we frequently operate within this continuum. As a university of applied sciences in particular, we bear a great responsibility to drive the region and the whole of Brandenburg forward in the face of immense challenges.”

At the same time, the President made a clear appeal to the university community: in the face of growing scepticism towards science, it is more crucial than ever to communicate findings to society in an accessible way. “We must not only keep an eye on political developments, but simply do exciting and interesting things that point the way to the future. If we make our work comprehensible and tangible and actively talk about it, science will resonate with society.”

Ulrike Tippe then formally appointed the three professors for a five-year term from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2031: Prof. Carolin Schmitz-Antoniak was appointed as a professor with a track in research, whilst Prof. Isabell Peters and Prof. Jörg Reiff-Stephan were each awarded a professorship with a track in transfer.

In concise, ten-minute presentations, the three awardees outlined their plans for the coming five years.

Prof. Dr Carolin Schmitz-Antoniak: Tailor-made materials for the quantum and storage technologies of tomorrow

In her research professorship, Prof. Carolin Schmitz-Antoniak is focusing on the topic “metallates for sustainable technologies”. What does the term ‘metallates’ mean? Put simply, they are chemical compounds with a single metal atom – such as iron, copper or cobalt – at their core, surrounded by a network of other elements such as oxygen or sulphur. This structure allows the physical properties of the molecules to be precisely controlled, much like a building block system.

Her work focuses on two specific groups of materials:

• Polyoxometallates (oxygen-rich metallates): These can act as tiny light detectors that respond even to individual particles of light (photons). This is a crucial building block for quantum cryptography – that is, methods by which data can be encrypted in a way that is absolutely secure against eavesdropping. The team is also investigating whether these molecules are suitable as computational units (qubits) for future quantum computers. 
• Alkali sulphide metallates (sulphur-based solids): These offer great potential for novel, long-lasting batteries that do not require expensive and scarce lithium. Furthermore, their magnetic properties enable the development of so-called magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM). These are extremely fast computer memory devices that do not lose their data even when the device is switched off.

To visualise the processes taking place inside the atoms, Schmitz-Antoniak utilises, amongst other things, the high-intensity X-rays from the BESSY II electron storage ring at the Helmholtz Centre Berlin in Adlershof. In the interests of sustainability, the project relies on readily available raw materials in order to avoid the use of rare earths and to radically reduce the energy requirements of future technologies.

Prof. Dr Isabell Peters: The Centre for Digital Administration Wildau (ZDV)

Through her transfer professorship, Prof. Isabell Peters is focusing on one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the digital transformation of public administration. As part of her professorship, she is establishing the Centre for Digital Administration Wildau (ZDV).

Genuine digital transformation means far more than simply converting existing analogue application forms into PDF files. Rather, it is about rethinking administrative processes from the ground up. Smaller local authorities in Brandenburg, in particular, face a dilemma: with often only a handful of staff in their town halls, they must manage the same legally complex range of services as large cities – yet they rarely have their own IT development departments or substantial consultancy budgets.
This is where the ZDV steps in as a link and ecosystem between academia, local government and GovTech companies:

• Continuing education: Through initiatives such as the European Digital Innovation Hub (pro_digital), the centre offers continuing education for local government staff on topics such as data management, process optimisation and the targeted use of AI in day-to-day work.
• Innovation marketplace: Through regular events such as the DemoDays (in cooperation with the National E-Government Competence Centre / NEGZ), public authorities gain insights into modern software solutions, for example in the field of no-code/low-code.
• Responsible AI: In her research, Isabell Peters investigates how AI implementation succeeds within public authorities. One focus, for example, is on how the “human-in-the-loop” principle can be put into practice – in other words, how artificial intelligence can effectively relieve case officers of decision-making burdens without compromising human responsibility and transparency.
• Knowledge transfer for practical application: Through the ‘Wildauer Papers on Digital Government’ and concise Policy Briefs, the ZDV provides scientifically sound guidance directly to decision-makers in politics and public administration.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Reiff-Stephan: Making AI innovations accessible to Brandenburg’s SMEs

Through the establishment of the ‘Innovation Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence’, Prof. Jörg Reiff-Stephan is combining the long-standing technological expertise of his Institute for Cyber-Physical Production Systems (iCPPS) with the real-world requirements of the regional economy.

In Brandenburg, there are over 90,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than ten employees. For these businesses, getting started with modern AI systems is often a near-insurmountable hurdle, as they lack the time, human resources and specialist knowledge. The new innovation centre aims to provide precisely this space: rather than complex theory, it delivers ready-to-use tools that businesses can try out straight away and integrate into their day-to-day operations.

The tracks of the professorship include:

• Practical laboratories and mobile demonstrators: Building on the Wildauer Smart Production model factory and initiatives such as the Mobile Digital Factory, the team brings technology directly to businesses on site. The spectrum ranges from predictive maintenance of machinery to automated office processes and voice assistants.
• Human-robot collaboration and inclusion: In line with the Industry 5.0 mission, people are at the heart of technology. Through projects such as NEXUS-OPEN, the team is investigating how sensor-based robotics and AI assistance systems can provide targeted support to people with physical or cognitive impairments in the workplace, thereby enhancing both participation and productivity.
• Regional and international networking: Strong networks such as the Wildau Network for Artificial Intelligence (WiN-KI) and the business network NET4AI serve as the nucleus. Activities range from regional specialist forums to international partnerships, such as exchanges with technology centres in Europe and Asia.

Lively debate marks the start of five successful years

The fact that these topics strike a chord with the spirit of the times was evident in the lively discussion that followed in the Hofsaal. Among other things, the discussion covered issues of digital sovereignty, managing geopolitical risks in international technology partnerships, and the need to create agile real-world laboratories for public administration and business.

Vice-president Prof. Klaus-Martin Melzer aptly summed up the spirit of optimism at the end: “The intensity and depth of today’s discussions have impressively demonstrated that we are tackling the issues in exactly the right areas. Our colleagues’ projects are of immense relevance – not only for shaping our university’s academic profile, but above all for the people, businesses and public authorities in Brandenburg. I offer them my warmest congratulations and look forward to the next five years of working together.”

With these three new priority professorships, TH Wildau once again underlines its profile as a forward-looking university with a strong research focus, a commitment to innovation and firm regional roots.