Sustainability Office
For the implementation of the sustainability strategy, an existing governance structure is essential. On March 27, 2026, the Sustainability Office was established. On April 1, 2026, Heidelberg University’s sustainability strategy was approved by the Rectorate and presented to the Senate on May 12, 2026.
The team of the Sustainability Office consists of the Head of the Office, Irina Merz (formerly Sustainability Strategy Officer), as well as the sub-project leads Prof. Dr. Norbert Frank for research, Petra Eggensperger for teaching, Hannes Rüskamp for transfer, Narasimha Sushil for operations, and apl. Prof. Suat Özbek for research operations.
Based at their respective institutes and facilities, they coordinate—together with the Head of the Sustainability Office and in line with their capacities—the implementation of sustainability strategy measures in their respective areas of action.
In addition, a Sustainability Board will be established, chaired by the Vice-Rectorate for Sustainability, which will advise the Sustainability Office. The Rectorate decides on the funding and implementation of the measures. Further information will be announced once the sustainability strategy has been adopted by the Senate.
Get to the Sustainability Strategy