We are looking forward to our first retreat!

Here you can find the program of the event.

Day 1 | Monday, November 17th, 2025

Time Activity Details
07:30 – 10:00 Bus transfer from Graz to Vienna For participants from University of Graz and TU Graz. Meeting point/pickup location: Heinrichstraße 28, 8010 Graz
09:00 – 11:00 Arrival and registration Portrait photoshoot Informal networking over coffee; CB photo session to take portrait photos of all participants
11:00 – 11:15 Warm-up Mixer Surprise
11:15 – 11:20 Welcome Roland Ludwig; goals of the retreat
11:20 – 11:45 What is Circular Bioengineering? Roland Ludwig; Circular Bioengineering vision and mission
11:45 – 12:00 Introduction of the Research Unit Roland Ludwig, Bernd Nidetzky and Antje Potthast; overview of the research programs and its management
12:00 – 13:30 Research in Program 1 Antje Potthast and Alexander Bismarck; presentation of the program, introduction of participants and research
13:30 – 15:00 Lunch Break World Café: building connections and networking; participants video recordings; BOD members ask for expectations
15:00 – 15:30 Introduction of the Training Unit Antje Potthast and Marko Mihovilovic; overview of the planned educational activities
15:30 – 17:00 Research in Program 3 Wolfgang Kroutil; presentation of the program, introduction of participants and research
17:00 – 17:30 Coffee Break Informal exchange and roundtables with the Board of Directors (BOD) about COE structure and management
17:30 – 18:00 Introduction of the Management Unit Sophie Schober; presentation of the website and internal communication
18:00 – 18:30 Introduction of the Communication and Transfer Unit Gunda Köllensperger, Bernd Nidetzky and Homa Hemati, (Science Communication Officer); outreach and translational research agenda
18:30 – 19:30 Break and hotel check-in Time to relax and prepare for the evening
19:30 – 22:00 Dinner Gasthaus Rehbrunn, Bergasse 24, 1090 Wien Meet at 19:30 in the restaurant

Day 2 | Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Time Activity Details
08:00 – 09:30 Research in Program 2 Diethard Mattanovich and Matthias Steiger; presentation of the program, introduction of participants and research
09:30 – 10:00 Management Unit Sophie Schober; guidance on documentation and requirements
10:00 – 10:30 Coffee Break Sharing thoughts and reflections with Key researchers; participant video recordings
10:30 – 12:00 Research in Program 4 Karlheinz Erb and Stephan Hann; presentation of the program, introduction of participants and research
12:00 – 13:00 Introduction of the Open Data and Data Management Unit Chris Oostenbrink and Lena Ortega Menjivar (Data Steward); data policies, data management plans, and planned workshops
13:00 – 14:15 Lunch Break World Café: Focus on program interaction and collaboration; discuss with program leaders, initiate cooperations; participant video recordings
14:15 – 14:45 Outlook on next steps Future meetings and organizational updates; closing remarks
14:45 – 15:00 End of retreat Final goodbyes
15:00 – 17:30 Bus departure to Graz Return trip to Graz