In my role as a lecturer for Digital Sustainability Management within the Sustainability Management and Leadership program at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, I oversaw the development of curricula that merge technological innovation with environmental stewardship. My course equips students with the knowledge and skills to leverage digital tools for advancing sustainable practices across industries. 

In my capacity as Program Lead for the Co-Learning Program AI, I devised and executed a comprehensive consulting initiative tailored to the needs of public interest organizations. The program’s objective was to facilitate the responsible integration of AI technologies into the operations of knowledge and advocacy organizations. By fostering a collaborative learning environment, we enabled organizations to leverage the potential of AI while maintaining rigorous ethical standards. This project served to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI advancements and the distinctive requirements of public interest entities.

In partnership with Sociopublico, I designed and delivered an upskilling initiative to empower the Bofill Foundation team in the responsible use of AI technologies. Founded in 1969, the Bofill Foundation serves as a catalyst for social change through education, focusing on research and initiatives that fight inequality and create educational opportunities.

As the Operations Lead for Beyond AI Collective e.V., I was responsible for the transition from an NGO to a social business model, which entailed a significant shift in the organization’s operational approach. The mission of our organization was to prevent discrimination that is mediated by algorithmic systems, which is a critical issue in today’s AI-driven world. I devised operational strategies that balanced our nonprofit ethos with sustainable business practices, thereby ensuring the scalability of our initiatives.

In my capacity as a Scientific Consultant for the Graf Recke Foundation, I spearheaded the formulation and implementation of sustainability strategies aligned with the German Sustainability Code (DNK) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). This project entailed a comprehensive examination of the foundation’s operations, which encompass a range of facilities and institutions, including care facilities, educational offerings, and social psychiatric institutions that collectively serve approximately 5,500 individuals. By aligning their practices with these rigorous standards, we ensured that sustainability became an integral part of their organizational DNA, positively impacting both their operations and the communities they serve.

In my capacity as Program Lead at the Wuppertal Institute, a renowned think tank for sustainability and transformation research, I spearheaded the development and implementation of comprehensive digital strategies. This role necessitated a comprehensive approach, integrating digital innovations with the institute’s core mission of fostering a climate-friendly and resource-efficient world. By leveraging digital tools and methodologies, the institute’s capacity to conduct impactful research and drive practical applications in the field of sustainability was enhanced.

As the Conference Lead for CO:DINA (Digitalization and Sustainability), I organized two conferences that explored novel approaches to achieving sustainable digital transformation. These events served as a pivotal nexus, uniting a heterogeneous group of stakeholders from the realms of politics, business, research, and civil society. By fostering constructive discourse and showcasing pioneering concepts, we illuminated the intricate interrelationship between technology, society, and the environment. The conference culminated in the formulation of a transformation roadmap, delineating pivotal action areas and prospective avenues for sustainable digitalization.

As the research program lead, I addressed the issue of integrating financial instruments with digital sustainable development. Our work centered on navigating the inherent tensions between immediate crisis management and long-term sustainability objectives, with a particular focus on achieving “Net Zero Carbon.” We examined the necessity for a shift in the conceptualization of scalability, extending beyond its conventional technical definitions to encompass sustainability considerations. This research offered invaluable insights for reshaping financial mechanisms to facilitate transformative innovation and system-wide sustainability.

In my role as project lead, I contributed to the development of a novel methodology for sustainable lifecycle engineering (SLE). Our approach aimed to provide product and process developers with the tools to seamlessly integrate sustainability considerations into their decision-making processes from the earliest stages of engineering. By extending model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approaches to encompass comprehensive sustainability aspects, a framework was created that allows developers to assess and optimize the sustainability impact of their design choices throughout the entire product lifecycle.

In my capacity as Scientific Consultant, I addressed the urgent matter of exponential gaps—the widening discrepancy between the accelerated pace of technological advancement and the capacity of society to adapt and regulate these changes. The project concentrated on the improvement of organizational preparedness to provide sustainable solutions on a large scale, particularly in the context of the twin transition (green and digital transformations). By examining mission-oriented strategies, such as those utilized in the EU’s Horizon Europe program, we devised methodologies to enhance global impact and mitigate these critical gaps.

As a Scientific Consultant on this forward-looking project, I conducted an in-depth analysis of the sustainability implications of the emerging Metaverse. Our research placed particular emphasis on the infrastructure and hardware requirements of this new digital frontier. By examining the potential environmental impacts and resource demands of widespread Metaverse adoption, we aimed to proactively address sustainability challenges and identify opportunities for eco-friendly development in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Leading this project for the digital transformation research unit, I designed and implemented a comprehensive strategic foresight process. This initiative involved detailed and systematic analysis of driving forces and trends shaping the future of digital transformation. By developing robust methodologies for anticipating and preparing for various future scenarios, we enhanced the unit’s capacity to adapt to changing landscapes and develop strategies that remain relevant and impactful in the face of uncertainty.

As Program Lead for this initiative, I guided the development of an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to responsible research and innovation within the university setting. The hub focused on nurturing technical solutions to global challenges while simultaneously training experts capable of implementing these solutions sustainably across various sectors. This project demanded a delicate balance of compliance management and driving cultural change, fostering an environment where responsibility and innovation go hand in hand.

As a Junior Engineer in Research and Development supporting the Project Manager, I contributed to the RiverView® initiative, which developed a comprehensive monitoring system for rivers. My role involved assisting in the development of an autonomous measurement catamaran equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and probes. This project not only pushed the boundaries of water monitoring technology, but also provided a critical foundation for water management decision making. By providing an objective assessment of water conditions both above and below the water surface, our work contributed significantly to the implementation of the European Water Framework Directive and flood protection initiatives, balancing technical innovation with environmental responsibility.