Transfer Universität Heidelberg: New Transfer Advisory Board Strengthens Exchange between Research and Society
21 April 2026
Experts advise Rectorate on knowledge transfer, start-up support and partnerships
By establishing a Transfer Advisory Board, Heidelberg University is further expanding dialogue between academic research and social practice. In future, the board will advise the Rectorate on matters relating to knowledge transfer, start-up support and cooperation with industry. It comprises ten external and internal experts, all of whom bring experience in knowledge and technology transfer. At its first meeting, Dr Anna Christmann, the former federal government’s start-up commissioner and a former member of the Bundestag, was elected chair of the Transfer Advisory Board.
For years, Heidelberg University has consistently strengthened the transfer of knowledge and technologies into society as a third pillar alongside research and teaching. The establishment of the Transfer Advisory Board is intended to complement and support the measures already in place. “We stand to benefit enormously from the outstanding expertise of the Advisory Board members as we continue to strategically develop and sustainably strengthen the field of knowledge and technology transfer,” says Prof. Dr Katja Patzel-Mattern, Vice-Rector for Innovation and Transfer. The body will meet twice a year. Its members will draw up recommendations for the Rectorate and contribute to the awarding of prizes and the selection of projects for funding. To this end, the Advisory Board will work closely with the transfer agency hei_INNOVATION, which, as a central operating unit of Heidelberg University, coordinates the university’s knowledge transfer activities, and with Science Value Heidelberg GmbH, which supports researchers in invention management, patent commercialization and intellectual property.
In addition to Dr Christmann, the Transfer Advisory Board includes five other external members. These are Dr Mridul Agrawal, founder of a medical start-up, Dr Pascale Augé, head of the transfer agency at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), and science and management consultant Christoph Köller. Also joining the board are Dr María López-Fanjul y Díez del Corral, Director of the Fine Arts Museum of Asturias, and Axel Koch, Head of the Transfer Department at Kiel University. Prof. Dr Michael Gertz (Computer Science) and Prof. Dr Timo Göschl (Environmental Economics), both Heidelberg University researchers with extensive transfer experience, are also members of the board. Jana Seifert has been appointed as the student representative. A member of the Doctoral Convention has yet to be appointed. Members serve a three-year term.
The new Transfer Advisory Board held its first meeting on 8 and 9 April 2026.