University of Stuttgart (STUTT), Germany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction to project-team

>>Information brochure (english) 

 

Department of Economic Policy and Public Law

Background: EU-Policy

Despite the constant appeals of the European commission, the integration of SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) into the European Union research programmes was a permanent weak link which was criticized in numerous reports of the European Union commission.

Within the framework of an interdisciplinary EU research project (PathogenCombat) with focus on the food industry, we want to search for new strategies to improve the situation in one of the most important industrial sectors in Europe.

Our aim is to strengthen small and medium sized food producers in Europe and find new ways to integrate SMEs into European research activities.

We focus on three general questions:

- How can we include SMEs optimally into EU funded research projects?

- What are the problems and needs of SMEs?

- Which measures are most effective to eliminate barriers in know-how transfer?

An important step towards our goals is the establishment of a network that connects research, SMEs, associations, and authorities. As a result, SMEs shall be enabled to benefit from the latest research results and gain competitive advantages through the efficient production of safe, healthy, and tasty food.

Concrete tasks:

• To identify the optimal method to integrate the project SMEs, and create a “win-win” situation for research and food producers.
• Creation of a network between SMEs, research, associations, and authorities.
• Building a bridge between the needs of SMEs and the scientific work.
• Applicability check of research results.
• Technology transfer between research and SMEs.
• Exploration of research transfer possibilities in all European countries.

Especially food producers in the 12 ‘new’ EU-members and countries of international cooperation (INCO countries) should be taken into consideration. Many small-scale producers still need assistance in fulfilling EU regulations to fully benefit of the Common Market. This will not only ensure their existence, but will also help to preserve a diversity of healthy food for all European consumers.

For further information please visit our website: www.pathogencombat.com

 

Key persons for PathogenCombat

Susanne Braun (Leader of NTC I and NTC II): after receiving an academic degree in food technology (University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim), she gathered fifteen years of practical experience in the international food industry. Her work included the consulting of companies in many different countries, including Eastern Europe.

In addition, she worked as a consultant for the Steinbeis Foundation in Stuttgart and for the European Commission in Brussels.

Her economic and political knowledge results out of a second academic education as a Master of Business Administration at the Europe-Institute at the University of Saarbruecken/ Germany.

 

Klaus Hadwiger (NTC II) has a Masters degree in sociology and political science and has been working in several scientific projects at the University of Stuttgart. Klaus Hadwiger also has a degree in export trade management and worked in the food industry for several years

 

The project team further consists of:

• Marion Büttner (MA of regional science, MA-student of Agricultural Economics)

• Felix Hage (MA of economy)

• Phlipp Hildebrandt (BSc of Agricultural Science, MSc of Agribusiness)

• Dominik König (Diploma in technically oriented business administration)

• Elaine Rabener (MSc-student of agricultural biotechnology)

• Eva Rentschler (MSc-student of food technology)

• Christina Zübert (MSc-student of agricultural biotechnologyNele Bünner, B.A. Economics and Cultural Studies

 

Susanne Braun, Klaus Hadwiger, Felix Hage, Philipp Hildebrandt, Dominik König, Marion Büttner, Elaine Rabener, Eva Rentschler, Christina Zübert