Expert list: The COVID-19 crisis and its consequences

The global coronavirus pandemic is already having drastic consequences: The educational sector, the economy, the world of work in general, but also human interaction will probably be different after the crisis than before. To deal with this in a meaningful way, scientific facts are more important than ever, both during the crisis itself and for the time after it. Experts from the University of Hohenheim can provide information on the various aspects of the COVID-19 crisis and its consequences.

1 Research on the occurrence of infections

Computer simulation: How do measures affect the spread of the virus?

Hygiene measures, lockdowns, working from home, or school closures - what effect do measures have on the spread of a pathogen? Computer-aided model analyses with agent-based models can provide valuable support in deciding for or against certain measures.

The method can given an instructive simulation for the spread of infectious diseases. The innovation economist Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka has programmed such a model as a policy laboratory. Policy labs are graphical user interfaces that allow a user to intervene and test, for example, different instruments for epidemic control. The consequences can be seen immediately on the screen.

In the current COVID-19 case, for example, this instrument could be used to improve the acceptance of individual regulations by the population. The test version is available for viewing and testing at https://inno.uni-hohenheim.de/corona.

Press release [12 April 20]
Fighting coronavirus: Virtual city allows users to test the effect of measures online 

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka, Department of Economics: Innovation Economics, email

Computer simulation: How can we stop a possible second wave?

The fear of a second Covid-19 wave in autumn is great. But when and what measures must be taken to contain it? In order to assess this, those responsible can also use mathematical models. Prof. Dr. Philipp Kügler has developed a computer simulation to investigate different infection scenarios in Baden-Württemberg. This will provide decision-making aids that will help to avoid a collapse of the health care system.

Press release [15.06.20]
Fighting Covid-19: Countermeasures strongly influence the intensity of a potential second wave

Contact
Prof. Dr. Philipp Kügler, Department of Mathematics: Modeling Complex Biological Systems, Computational Science Lab (CSL), +49 711 459 22388, email

Immune reaction against viruses: How does the body recognize pathogens?

Severe inflammatory reactions are often observed in people with the coronavirus. In order to develop new therapeutic medications with which it is possible to control such life-threatening immune reactions, it is necessary to better understand the molecular mechanisms of how certain proteins contribute to immune responses against bacteria and viruses.

Immunologist Prof. Dr. Thomas Kufer and his team are investigating how the body recognizes pathogens and which molecular mechanisms regulate the recognition of and immune response against viruses and bacteria. He is particularly interested in a family of proteins that play an important role in the immune response: the so-called nod-like receptors (NLR). In humans, they are important receptors for viruses and bacteria and act as regulators of immune responses, such as the control of anti-viral interferon responses.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Thomas Kufer, Department of Immunology, +49 711 459 24850, email

2 Impact on the economy and the financial sector

Winners and losers: How is the coronavirus changing the market?

The markets are changing considerably as a result of the coronavirus crisis. It is not only a question of whether a company will survive the crisis, in the end there will also be winners and losers, says marketing expert Prof. Dr. Markus Voeth. Some sectors are automatically affected: Tourism or gastronomy are feeling the negative consequences, but companies that promote digitalization or online trade are booming. Other companies, for example in the logistics sector, will have to cushion the effects of the crisis with strategies such as "corona pricing". Marketing expert Prof. Dr. Markus Voeth analyzes which market changes are sustainable and how companies can adapt to them within the framework of their marketing and business development.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Markus Voeth, Business Administration: Marketing and Business Development, email

Wasted innovation potential? Start-ups in the COVID-19 crisis

Start-ups realize the innovations of tomorrow. And yet, the shutdown measures are hitting start-ups particularly hard. Are policies providing adequate support? And how are innovative entrepreneurs in particular dealing with the crisis? Prof. Dr. Andreas Kuckertz explains: Economic policy must not lose sight of these important players. At the same time, the first start-ups are helping to solve problems resulting from the COVID crisis.

Press release [27.04.20]
Corona-Folgen: Innovative Start-ups stärker bedroht als andere Unternehmen

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Kuckertz, Department of Business Start-Ups and Entrepreneurship, +49 711 459 24820, email

Protective masks instead of T-shirts: How does a production change affect image and brand?

During the coronavirus pandemic, some companies are re-orienting production: Textile manufacturers such as the Swabian company Trigema or the Italian noble brand Prada are now producing protective masks and clothing, and Daimler is offering to produce medical equipment with its 3D printers. This helps to ease bottlenecks and provides companies with job orders during the crisis. The media is reporting on it - positively and negatively. And that can change the image and brand of companies in the long term, explains marketing expert Prof. Dr. Markus Voeth.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Markus Voeth, Business Administration: Marketing and Business Development, email

Uncertain future: How is the crisis changing business relationships and negotiations?

The COVID crisis makes the future seem more uncertain than ever. It is therefore important to have a basis for making for strategic decisions. What the future might look like after the crisis can be described in the form of scenarios. They take into account various influences from society, economy, and technology and link them together.

Important influencing factors are, for example, global supply chains, digital systems in the form of virtual reality, new forms of work, or even personal relationships with one another. Prof. Dr. Markus Voeth and Sandra Haggenmüller are investigating what scenarios exist for the development of business relationships and negotiations in the wake of the COVID crisis and how the business sector should react to them.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Markus Voeth, Business Administration: Marketing and Business Development, email

Sandra Haggenmüller, Business Administration: Marketing and Business Development, email

Banking and finance: The consequences of the COVID crisis

In view of the spread of the coronavirus, economists fear a banking and financial market crisis. But help for the German financial sector should be well-considered, warns banking expert Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Burghof. He criticizes the reaction of the European Central Bank (ECB) to the COVID crisis. The existence of small businesses is particularly threatened. They have to be helped very quickly, which is why the supervisory authorities should now allow credit advisors to act more freely. Prof. Dr. Burghof also explains why he considers the so-called corona bonds to be unsuitable as an aid instrument throughout Europe - and what the alternatives could be.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Burghof, Business Administration: Banking and Financial Services, email

3 Impact on the agricultural economy

Global food: The economic consequences in developing countries

The economic consequences of the fight against Covid-19 have far-reaching implications for world food supplies. It is estimated that hundreds of millions of people are at risk of falling into poverty. They lack money to buy food, causing them to switch from meat and vegetables to cheap calories. And in some countries, supply chains have been broken.

So why, despite these threats to food security, have tough lockdowns been imposed in developing countries too? What role did international organizations play? How do lockdowns influence the food situation? What strategies can help reduce hunger?

The team led by the agricultural economists Prof. Dr. Regina Birner, Dr. Christine Bosch, Dr. Thomas Daum, and Anna Seidel is investigating these and other questions with a focus on five African countries: Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, and Uganda

Contact:
Regina Birner, Department of Social and Institutional Change in Agricultural Development, +49 711 - 459 23517, email

Agricultural markets under pressure: What are the consequences of the COVID crisis?

The federal government has declared that the food supply is secure. But consumers are currently experiencing in depth just how important agriculture is for security of supply - and are reacting with hoarding purchases. Will this empty the market? How does this experience affect the agricultural and food markets? Are prices rising or falling?

What consequences does this have for German agricultural producers? How will the market change in the longer term? In which areas of trade and supply chains are disturbances to be expected? And how will international trade relations change?

Agricultural economist Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hess is investigating these consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. He is also focusing on individual companies. Are there bottlenecks for seed or fertilizer? What are the consequences if seasonal workers are difficult to find? Is the livestock industry under pressure? Prof. Dr. Hess is available to the media for such questions.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hess, Department of Agricultural Markets, email

Corona shock: Does agricultural policy need to respond?

The coronavirus pandemic has also shaken agricultural supply chains and added new facets to the debate on the right path and future direction of the agri-food industry: How much national storage is necessary? Does operational or regional specialization have to be exchanged again for a more diverse production orientation? Is it necessary to reassess the tension between domestic (self-)supply and internationalization of the agricultural and food economy? Which adaptations in agricultural policy would be necessary for this?

Prof. Dr. Christine Wieck explains whether and how the EU agricultural policy should intervene to regulate the situation. She also explains whether the instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy are working, and whether the upcoming agricultural reform, Green Deal, and Farm-to-Fork strategies are influenced by it. And whether a conversion to organic farming makes sense and what the political course might be for this.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Christine Wieck, Department of Agricultural and Food Policy, email

Seasonal workers in agriculture: How digitalization can make small businesses more independent

In Germany, many agricultural enterprises are dependent on seasonal workers, mainly from abroad. This also applies to smaller farms with special crops such as asparagus or strawberries. The dependency is particularly evident now in the COVID crisis - although seasonal workers are now allowed to enter the country under certain conditions, not all fields will be able to be harvested this year.

Digitalization in agriculture in combination with automation can provide more independence from seasonal workers, explains agricultural economist Prof. Dr. Enno Bahrs. Up to now, smaller companies have run the risk of being left behind in this process. Prof. Dr. Bahrs and his team are working on how they too can take advantage of the benefits of digital technologies - and explaining how this can strengthen the resilience of companies.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Enno Bahrs, Department of Farm Management, +49 711 459 22566, email

4 Consequences for working life

Working from home and digital technologies: How do they change work and relationships with the team and managers?

Video conferencing, telephone meetings, working from home - many people are forced by the COVID crisis to find new forms of work. This involves both opportunities and risks, as Work Sociologist Prof. Dr. Caroline Ruiner is well aware. She explores how the use of digital technologies is changing the world of work and how new forms of work such as working from home are affecting people. Relationships between people are not unaffected by this either: The use of new technologies can also change the relationship with colleagues and managers.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Caroline Ruiner, Department of Sociology, +49 711 459 23437, email

Working conditions: How is the crisis affecting scientists?

Working from home instead of international conference trips, online lectures instead of consulting hours with students, desk research instead of working in the laboratory - the Covid-19 crisis has also suddenly changed the working conditions of scientists. How does this affect the organization of work and everyday life? What effects do the changes have on career goals? What effects are there on the compatibility of professional and family responsibilities? What consequences can productivity losses have, especially in the qualification phase or in temporary contractual relationships? Sociologist Dr. Anne Suphan gets to the bottom of these questions.

Contact:
Dr. Anne Suphan, Department of Sociology, +49 711 459-23418, email

5 Society and social media

Risk and uncertainty: Easy game for disaster prophets?

Risk management is now in demand: It can help to limit damage in a time of uncertainty. But why is it so difficult for people to deal with uncertainty? How can we deal with uncertainty? Prof. Dr. Monika Gehde-Trapp answers these questions. And she also explains why people like to be taken in by disaster prophets, risk deniers, and storytellers, especially in times of crisis.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Monika Gehde-Trapp, Department of Business Administration: Risk Management, +49 711 219 58601, email

Information and opinion forming online: Facts or fake news?

Some fake news reports sound absurd - but they still often spread like wildfire online. False news, rumors, and conspiracy theories are also circulating around the COVID crisis - from panic-mongering and trivialization to lethal "health tips". How does that happen? What exactly is fake news and whom does it reach? How dangerous is it? Does it influence the formation of opinions? How can you recognize fake news? What role do filter bubbles play in the process? Communication scientist Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schweiger conducts research on the topic and explains the connections in the context of COVID-19.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schweiger, Department of Communication Science: Interactive Media and Online Communication, +49 176 641 366 93, email

Politics during Corona: Campaign on hold

Landtag elections in spring 2021, Bundestag elections in autumn 2021 - we would expect politics to soon switch back to election campaigning. But when people are worried, election campaigns are not well received. It is especially difficult for the opposition to be heard in these times, explains Prof. Dr. Frank Brettschneider. The government, on the other hand, has its hands full in the crisis - and thus the chance to score points with the citizens. But after the crisis, completely different topics could become important - and they could be decisive for the election.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Frank Brettschneider, Department of Communication Science: Communication Theory, +49 711 459 24030, email

Social media: Helpful against loneliness and social isolation?

Because of the contact ban, online offers and social media are currently experiencing a boom. The latter can be helpful in keeping in touch with other people. Prof. Dr. Sabine Trepte and Dr. Tobias Dienlin from the Department of Media Psychology have noticed that new social contacts of a new quality are even emerging at the moment - for example, when people join forces to help others or arrange to make music together. That helps against loneliness. However, there are also risk groups, such as elderly people or young people, and they need to be assisted.

Press release [10 April 2020]
Corona effects: Social media have a positive effect in the fight against social isolation (in German)

Contact
Prof. Dr. Sabine Trepte, Department of Communication Science and Media Psychology, +49 173 266 3115, email

Dr. Tobias Dienlin, Department of Communication Science and Media Psychology, email, Skype: tobiasdienlin

The Corona app: How do people deal with their privacy?

In the context of coronavirus, the use of a corona app is being discussed which is intended to help to contain the spread of the virus. Background: The app records the movement and contact behavior of the users. As soon as a person you have been in contact with in the past tests positive for COVID-19, a warning will appear and you will be asked to go into isolation.

The intention of the app is certainly positive. At the same time, the app poses a potential threat to the privacy of its users. The question arises as to what is more important: Fighting the virus or protecting the privacy of citizens?

This question cannot be answered conclusively. Nevertheless, there is now evidence of how people regulate their privacy. These can contribute to the current political discussion.

Press release [29.04.20]
Corona-Auswirkungen: Auch im Homeoffice lässt sich die Privatheit schützen

Contact
Prof. Dr. Sabine Trepte, Department of Communication Science and Media Psychology, +49 173 266 3115, email

Dr. Tobias Dienlin, Department of Communication Science and Media Psychology, email, Skype: tobiasdienlin

Corona and social media: More social support - endangered online privacy?

On the one hand, during the Corona crisis, social media can contribute to maintaining contacts with other people despite isolation and to assist with social support. On the other hand, this increased use of social media also threatens online privacy. Many people are concerned about this and would like more protection, for example from the Data Protection Regulation or technical intervention measures. Nevertheless, they share personal information about themselves on the Internet. Is that a paradox? Or do they look at an individual situation and weigh up exactly how much they reveal about themselves and what private risks they take? Is this, like other human behavior, related to personality? These questions are answered by the experts from the Department of Media Psychology.

Contact
Prof. Dr. Sabine Trepte, Department of Communication Science and Media Psychology, +49 173 266 3115, email

Dr. Tobias Dienlin, Department of Communication Science and Media Psychology, email, Skype: tobiasdienlin

Covid-19 boredom: More time for (true crime) podcasts and social media?

The Covid-19 crisis has restricted leisure activities, forcing people to spend more time at home. What are they doing during this time? Are social media, podcasts and especially true crime podcasts really being used more than usual? Julia Maier, a student in the field of media psychology under Prof. Dr. Sabine Trepte, has examined the figures for her Bachelor’s thesis.

Contact:
Julia Maier, Communication Science: Media Psychology, email

What characterizes people who sympathize with the German “Querdenker” movement?

Many critics of the Covid-19 measures gather in so-called Querdenker groups. They feel their freedom is being restricted and are protesting nationwide against the means taken to contain the pandemic. In doing so, they not only demand the immediate repeal of all measures, but also criticize the political system itself. How many people sympathize with them? What are their attitudes and beliefs? What media do they use to inform themselves? These are the questions Tilman Klawier, a doctoral student in the field of interactive media and online communication, is addressing.

Contact:
M.A. Tilman Klawier, Department of Communication Science: Interactive Media and Online Communication, T +49 711 459-24478, email

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schweiger, Department of Communication Science: Interactive Media and Online Communication, T +49 711 459-24471, email

6 The education sector in the COVID-19 crisis

Homeschooling: How can teachers assess the learning levels of their students?

In the current situation, pupils have to learn at home, and the teachers have no direct contact with them. This makes it difficult for teachers to assess individual learning levels and progress. However, information about this is necessary so that teachers can support their students in the best possible way and provide individual feedback and constructive assistance.

The business education expert Jun.-Prof. Dr. Tobias Kärner is developing software solutions as well as school and classroom organizational processes and measures to address this problem. Teachers should thus be enabled to record learning status and progress decentrally in real time. On this basis, they can make didactic decisions during distance learning.

Contact:
Jun. Prof. Dr. Tobias Kärner, Department of Business and Economics Education: Teaching and Learning Processes, +49 711 459 23240, email

7 Lessons from the crisis - precautions for the future

The state, the economy, and private individuals: Combatting the crisis with cooperation and creativity

McDonald's has to close because of Covid-19. The employees are threatened with unemployment. At the same time, Aldi is urgently seeking reinforcements to cope with the onslaught of customers. If the two companies cooperate and McDonalds' employees help out at Aldi for a while - then everyone involved benefits. Besides health and income security, other basic human needs are the focus of many Covid initiatives. From neighborhood help to telephone hotlines for lonely seniors. From church services in drive-in cinemas to children's books about Covid.

The team of researchers at the <departments of Innovation Management and Innovation Economics analyzes which innovations and solutions were generated in response to Covid and what we can learn from them for the future. In addition, they investigate which cooperation projects have been established - and in the process find surprisingly creative constellations and approaches to overcoming the crisis. They look at what basic human needs can be met by innovative solutions - and draw conclusions about what policies should promote in crisis situations.<br />
In principle, the team also deals with the overarching question of what we can learn from the crisis for our future economic activity against the background of necessary sustainability transformations. Please contact the team with any questions you may have.

Contact Dept. of Innovation Management:

Contact Dept. of Innovation Economics:

Innovation ideas: How new ideas help to overcome the consequences of the crisis

After the crisis, many things will not be the same as before. Therefore, now is a good time to think about how new things can help overcome the consequences of the crisis - the time of innovation ideas.

Prof. Dr. Bernd Ebersberger and Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka, together with their teams, have developed ideas on how to encourage people to think about innovation even during the crisis. The scientists have implemented an 8-day innovation program which provides inspiration and knowledge in innovation management: www.innov8-now.org. Please contact them with any questions you may have.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Bernd Ebersberger, Department of Business Administration: Innovation Management, +49 0711 459 23249, email

Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka, Department of Economics: Innovation Economics, email

Biomass instead of oil: Security of supply in times of crisis thanks to the bioeconomy

Picture: University of Hohenheim / Wolfram Scheible

The coronavirus pandemic shows how vulnerable global production, supply, and value chains can be. Prof. Dr. Andrea Kruse and Markus Götz explain how the bioeconomy can reduce this vulnerability - with recycling management, regional production and supply chains, and by using biomass instead of fossil raw materials in biorefineries.

We can currently demonstrated by the collapse of the oil price, although another crisis might also lead to a very rapid increase in the price of oil: Many materials, especially chemicals and intermediate products, including those for medical products, are very strongly linked to the price of oil. Planning security - an important factor in economic decision-making processes - is thus not given. This is where the bioeconomy can help, as it also means resource independence since Germany has no significant fossil resources. With regional biomass instead of fossil raw materials, fluctuations would only occur indirectly, but above all with a strong dampening effect and a time lag.

The reaction of a brewery to the lack of disinfectants, for example, shows how biorefineries can contribute to stabilizing the situation: The company now also produces raw materials for disinfectants. For this purpose, it uses by-products from beer production: The alcohol that is extracted from the alcohol-free beer after the brewing process by technical separation processes now serves medical purposes in which food production and chemical production complement each other very well.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Andrea Kruse, Department of Conversion Technologies of Biobased Resources, 0711 459 24700, email

Markus Götz, Department of Conversion Technologies of Biobased Resources, email

Virus-free in the field: Fertilizer from sewage sludge and liquid manure

Healthy agriculture in balance with nature is particularly important in times of the Covid crisis. In agriculture, sewage sludge and liquid manure can be spread on the field as fertilizer. However, in addition to essential plant nutrients such as phosphate and nitrogen, they also contain a spectrum of bacteria, viruses, and parasitic pathogens. This constitutes a health hazard for humans and animals. Prof. Dr. Andrea Kruse's team is investigating how sewage sludge and liquid manure can be cleaned to remove these hazards and how the phosphate and nitrogen contained therein can be specifically extracted and used as a highly concentrated fertilizer.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Andrea Kruse, Department of Conversion Technologies of Biobased Resources, +49 711 459 24700, email

Gero Becker, Department of Conversion Technologies of Biobased Resources, +49 711 459 24785, email

Ekaterina Ovsyannivova, Dept. of Conversion Technologies of Biobased Resources, +49 711 459 23413, email

Climate change and corona: Lessons from the crisis

The current pandemic is also an opportunity: Lessons can also be drawn from the knowledge we are presently gaining for other crises, as there are clear parallels. Corona, like climate change, is a global problem - and scientific findings should be listened to more than ever.

Climatologist Prof. Dr. Volker Wulfmeyer explains why timely action is so important in both cases. For example, a lag effect can be observed in the pandemic due to incubation periods and asymptomatic infected persons - which also applies to many effects of climate change.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Volker Wulfmeyer, Department of Physics and Meteorology, email