Research Framework
The ongoing refinement of strategic goals, measures, and support structures ensures the overall quality and sustainability of research while also creating a reliable framework for research with an explicit focus on sustainability. This approach ensures that scientific excellence, social responsibility, and long-term impact are systematically integrated.
Research Strategy
The research strategy of TU Dortmund University, developed through a participatory process involving all members, forms the foundation for securing and further strengthening research excellence. The strategy outlines six substantive and three structural goals, which are operationalized through concrete measures and indicators. This goal architecture is embedded in a fundamental understanding of sustainability: Through scientific progress and the active transfer of knowledge to society, business, and politics, the university uses its research findings to drive technological and social innovation. In doing so, it contributes to addressing key societal challenges.
The implementation of the research strategy is designed as an ongoing process. Its measures and indicators are continuously refined in order to respond appropriately to changing scientific, political, and societal conditions and to incorporate new ideas. The research strategy does not explicitly refer to TU Dortmund University’s sustainability strategy.
Sustainable Research Design
Given the growing importance of sustainability in terms of both content and structure, the development of appropriate support structures for application and approval processes is becoming increasingly relevant. TU Dortmund University supports its researchers in initiating and applying for new research projects through the Office of Research Support Services. This office provides proactive support and offers expert advice on funding programs with an explicit focus on sustainability.
To date, the research strategy has not included any recommendations for sustainable research design. However, guided by the German Research Foundation’s (DFG) recommendations on incorporating sustainability aspects into the research process and the corresponding list of guiding questions, the Office of Research Support Services and the Sustainability Office have developed specific guidelines for sustainable research design and the corresponding grant proposal format. The "application resources" ("Antragsressourcen") available on the TU Dortmund University intranet provide guiding questions and facts about TU Dortmund University as a sustainable research environment.
The Center for Entrepreneurship and Transfer (CET) also supports the transfer of research findings to industry and society. This ensures that sustainable innovations are put into practice in a timely manner and that TU Dortmund University further strengthens its role as a driver of innovation in the region and as a catalyst for a dynamic and responsible startup culture. Examples (such as sustainable spin-offs) are listed in the chapter on technology transfer.