Hessen–Queensland Research Connect: Global Challenges, Sustainable Futures
The 2026 Hessen–Queensland Research Connect: Global Challenges, Sustainable Futures workshop will be hosted by The University of Queensland (UQ) in central Brisbane.
The three-day event will include panel discussions and networking research workshops, designed to strengthen research cooperation between Queensland and Hessen and foster sustainable partnerships.
Focusing on researcher-to-researcher engagement across four themes, the workshops will create opportunities for long-term collaboration and future external funding initiatives, including Horizon Europe.
Focused themes:
- Sustainable Systems, Economy and Environment
- Advanced Materials, Energy and Industrial Technologies
- Digital, Quantum and Intelligent Technologies
- Health, Society and Human Security
This event is by invitation only. If you are interested in attending and would like to enquire about participation, please contact Tamara Weisflogg on globalstrategy@uq.edu.au.
This event is one of two workshops in the series. To learn more about the broader initiative, please visit the JLU Giessen website.
"The Hessen Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture, is pleased to support this important initiative, which marks a further milestone in the long-standing partnership between Hessen and Queensland. Building on more than two decades of successful cooperation in higher education, we are committed to advancing our partnership towards stronger collaboration in research and innovation to jointly addressing the global challenges of our time. We warmly welcome the enthusiasm of our scientific communities to further connect Hessen and Queensland as well as its higher education and research landscapes, and to develop new ideas and lasting partnerships for a sustainable future."
Timon Gremmels, Hessen State Minister for Science and Research, Arts and Culture
"The Queensland Government Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation recognises the importance of these workshops in developing collaborative ideas and projects between Queensland and Hessen researchers under the longstanding partnership between leading universities in both jurisdictions.
We acknowledge the commitment, effort and energy involved in bringing this initiative together, and recognise the potential benefits it could deliver for both Queensland and Hessen."
Program
Please note that the below program is subject to change.
Day 1 – Monday 23 November 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30–9am | Registration and welcome coffee |
| 9–9:30am | Opening remarks |
| 9:30–10:20am | Keynote address |
| 10:20–10:30am | Introduction to Thematic Sessions |
| 10:30–11am | Morning tea |
| 11am–12:30pm | Thematic Session I |
| 12:30–1:45pm | Networking lunch |
| 1:45–3pm | Panel: Horizon Europe and large scale funding success |
| 3-3:20pm | Coffee break |
| 3:20–4:45pm | Thematic Sessions II |
| 5–7pm | Networking reception (stand-up cocktail style event) |
Day 2 – Tuesday 24 November 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30–9am | Welcome coffee |
| 9–10:30am | Presentation: Best practices in QLD-HES research cooperation: Research rapid fire session |
| 10:30–11am | Morning tea |
| 11am–12:30pm | Presentation: Information session - Australia and international funding landscape (Germany and beyond) |
| 12:30–1:45pm | Networking lunch |
| 1:45–3pm | Thematic Sessions III |
| 3–3:20pm | Coffee break |
| 3–5pm | Optional: 1:1 networking sessions |
Day 3 – Wednesday 25 November 2026
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30–9am | Welcome coffee |
| 9–10:30 | Thematic Sessions IV |
| 10:30–11am | Morning tea |
| 11am–12pm | Cross-disciplinary idea exchange |
| 12–12:30pm | Closing plenary road-map to joint projects |
| 12:30–1:30pm | Light lunch |
| 1:30–4pm | Optional: Meetings and networking |
Queensland-Hessen Cooperation
Established in 2002, the Queensland–Hessen partnership has fostered strong collaboration in education, research, innovation, and knowledge exchange between institutions and organisations across both regions. Supported by student, staff, and research mobility, the partnership has generated a wide range of academic and industry connections, with student exchange remaining a key area of engagement. Collaborative initiatives span fields including agriculture, crop science, health, engineering, and sustainability, creating opportunities for joint research, capacity building, and long-term partnerships that strengthen ties between Queensland and Hessen. One notable example is the longstanding collaboration between UQ and JLU Giessen in agriculture and crop science, including a DFG-funded International Research Training Group (IRTG) Accelerating Crop Genetic Gain project, one of the most significant research collaborations between the two regions.
Participating universities
| Hessen universities | Queensland universities |
|---|---|
Technical University of Darmstadt, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Justus Liebig University Giessen, University of Marburg, University of Kassel, Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Academy of Art and Design Offenbach, University of Music and Performing Arts Frankfurt am Main, Hochschule für Bildende Künste – Städelschule. | University of Southern Queensland, The University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University, Australian Catholic University. |