Research foci

Founded in 1818, after the devastating famine, the University of Hohenheim is not only engaged in foundational research but traditionally also in developing innovative solutions for urgent social matters. Today, the University of Hohenheim is the leading University in agricultural research and food sciences, as well as strong and unparalleled in natural, social, and communication sciences. This combination makes up the University of Hohenheim’s unique research profile.

University-wide specializations

The research concentrations give form to the University of Hohenheim’s core competences and define university-wide topics. They ensure the University’s research is responsible and oriented on the future, focusing on major social challenges.

Bioeconomy

Sustainable production and use of biological resources - biological knowledge to provide products, processes, and services in all economic sectors. 

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Global food security and ecosystems

Adaptation of the agricultural, nutritional, and ecological systems to the consequences of climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and scarce resources

Assistance from:

Health Sciences

Understanding the connections between human, animal, and environmental health - interdisciplinary research and solutions according to the 'One Health' concept.
 

Led by:

Digital Transformation

Digital transformation refers to an ongoing change process based on digital technologies in society and businesses.

Numerous departments in all of the faculties are looking at this topic. Digitalization in agriculture and Big Data have already influenced many of the activities of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. In the future, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences will make digital transformation a focus of its research.

Research in this area is supported by the central services of the Core Facility Hohenheim and the Computational Science Lab Hohenheim.

Protein Research

Puzzle pieces of protein research that interlock and show different components of protein research at the University of Hohenheim

Proteins are something like superheroes. They are the building blocks of life and play a crucial role in the human body in processes ranging from digestion to immune responses. Their complex functions make them fascinating research objects for many of our disciplines in microbiology, food technology, plant science, livestock science, data science, and soil science.

The predominantly interdisciplinary projects revolve around decoding biological and technological processes. They focus on the challenge of providing sufficient sources of protein for the ever-growing world population while at the same time using limited resources sustainably and protecting the planet.

State-of-the-art facilities such as the Hohenheim Center for Livestock Microbiome Research (HoLMiR), the Phytotechnical Center, the Core Facility Hohenheim (CFH) , the Computational Science Hub (CSH) as well as food technology pilot plants and agricultural science experimental stations provide the important infrastructure for this research.

To the superheroes of the biological world

Research clusters and specializations of the faculties

Faculty of Agricultural Sciences

Research clusters
are associations of researchers of a faculty who want to develop existing or new specialization subjects. For each faculty, the President's Office promotes a research cluster for three years with initial funding.

For the Agricultural Sciences, this is:

Research focuses
In its current Structural and Development Plan, the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences also defines the following research focuses:

  • Global food security
  • Climate change and scarcity of resources
  • Biobased Value-Chain and Bioenergy
  • Genome Diversity in Agriculture

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Research foci
In the current Structural and Development Plan the Faculty of Natural Sciences defines its research foci:

  • Biomolecular processes
  • Diet-related illnesses
  • Food processing
  • Compartments of the earth system

Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences

Research Advantages in Hohenheim

  • Unique profile: The University of Hohenheim distinguishes itself Germany-wide with its unique range and a specialized combination of subjects. Natural, agricultural, as well as economic and social sciences ideally compliment each other and make it possible to choose individual, unique, and interdisciplinary specializations.
  • Strong networks: The University of Hohenheim has strong partners on a regional, national, and international level, forming a global network with excellent institutions and companies.
  • Economically strong location: Located in the south of Stuttgart, the University finds itself in one of Europe’s most active economic regions, facilitating close cooperation with international companies.
  • Large research stations: Having the largest Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in Germany, the University of Hohenheim is home to the most extensive experimental stations.
  • Interaction of science and practical experience: The state institutes integrated in the University promote a direct transfer between science and practical implementation.
  • Research-oriented learning: With the award-winning program “Humboldt reloaded,” research-oriented learning is already promoted during the Bachelor’s programs.