Research
What is research at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam? Here you will find information about the research clusters, the Research Professorships, the research facilities and current projects at the university.
Would you like to get a research project off the ground? The Research Support Services will help you. You can find initial information on funding opportunities and cross-cutting topics such as research data management on our website. Otherwise: Talk to us!
Research profile
Our broad range of subjects allows for a wide variety of research activities, which are characterised by a particular focus on application, specific research methods and mostly interdisciplinary approaches.
In order to focus our research activities more strongly on the current challenges facing our society, we have continuously developed our research profile over the last few years, both in terms of disciplines and interdisciplinarity.
Our teaching, research and knowledge and technology transfer activities in recent years can be categorised primarily in the areas of Urban Futures, Interaction Design and Information Visualisation, Digitalisation and Data Management, Social Transformation and Early Childhood Education Research.
The German Rectors' Conference (HRK) has recognised our research focus "Urban Transformation – Design in Social, Digital and Built Spaces" on its research map, under which the three research clusters "Built Space – Design, Construction, Preservation", "Digital Space – Data, Interaction, Knowledge" and "Social Space – Education, Participation, Community" address the above-mentioned challenges and future issues across all disciplines.
Research Professorships
Since 2008, Research Professorships have supported the sharpening of the university's own research profile in a special way, intensifying research activities and playing a key role in the acquisition of third-party funding.
Laboratories and research groups
The diversity of our specialist expertise is reflected in our research facilities, as well as in our innovative laboratories and outstanding research groups. They are places of knowledge and networking.
dpi Lab – Digital Participation and Inclusion Lab
The dpi-lab was established in May 2020 at the Department of Social and Educational Sciences at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam to bring together the various research activities at the interface of digital technologies, social work and educational science.
PINA – Potsdam Research Institute for Early Learning and Educational Action
PINA is an interdisciplinary research network of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and the University of Potsdam on early childhood education and development and emerged in 2017 from the cooperative research programme EQUIP (Development of Quality and Interaction in Everyday Pedagogical Practice).
Interaction Design Lab
The Interaction Design Lab is the research facility of the Interface Design degree programme and is home to an international team of researchers, designers and developers. They form an interface between teaching, research, development, technology transfer, Design and knowledge transfer and thus open up a space for multidisciplinary projects.
UCLAB – Urban Complexity Lab
The UCLAB is an interdisciplinary research group that combines expertise from the fields of Interface Design, Computer Science and the Humanities. Its research work focuses on the design, development and investigation of data visualisations.
Scientific institutes
The scientific institutes are also part of our research facilities. They offer optimal opportunities for research activities in their respective subject areas.
Institute for Applied Research Urban Futures (IaF)
Since its foundation in 2015, the institute has hosted numerous research projects with many motivated employees. The research-oriented Urban Futures MA programme was established under the umbrella of the IaF in the 2016/2017 winter semester.
Institute for Training, Research and Development (IFFE)
IFFE is a non-profit registered association that has been promoting the commitment of university lecturers and students at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam since 1995. The institute supports projects for further education and training, research and development at a national and international level.
IBB – Institute for Building Research and Conservation
The Institute for Building Research and Conservation was founded in 2004 as a joint scientific institution of the Department of Architecture and Urban Design with the Restoration degree programme and the Department of Civil Engineering as an in-house institute of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. The institute serves the purpose of science, research and development. Its main areas of activity are building conservation, preservation of historical monuments and restoration.
Research projects
More projects
Summer Academies and Workshops for the Bidirectional Transfer of Knowledge and Skills in Earth Building
The project Summer Academies and Workshops for Bidirectional Knowledge and Skills Transfer in Earthen Building combines two closely interlinked focal points: the conception, organisation and implementation of two summer academies and integrated research to increase awareness and acceptance.
Strengthening Cultural Offerings in Rural Areas with the Independent Performing Arts - Models for the Professionalisation of Cultural Infrastructures
As part of the FHP research cluster "Social Space - Education, Participation, Community", the project (2026 - 2028) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) is investigating the field of independent performing arts as a key player in transformation and participation processes.
Study and Network Abroad Project
On the load-bearing behaviour of closed bonded dowels under static and non-static loadsload in steel composite construction
Current tenders & information
More internal newsResearch Support Services
We advise researchers at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam on regional, national and European funding opportunities and support them in submitting applications and coordinating with funding organisations and research partners when it comes to initiating and implementing sovereign research projects.
Our tasks essentially include
- Coordination of all internal research-related activities
- Providing information on funding programmes and instruments (federal, state, foundations, DFG, EU, etc.)
- Individual counselling and support in the application process for research projects
- Support in the search for research and cooperation partners and in the drafting of cooperation agreements
- Assistance with administrative issues in research projects
- Advice on cross-project topics, e.g. research data management
- Data collection for research reporting
Please note that the first point of contact for DAAD activities is the International Office.
We are well networked:
The Research Support Services staff form the link between members of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam who are interested in research and the funding organisations or their project sponsors at regional, national and European level. At the same time, the Research Support Services is networked with the relevant areas of other universities and research institutions in the Berlin-Brandenburg region and beyond, for example, it represents the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam in the EU Competence Network of Brandenburg Universities.
Research Support Services is also involved internally in various groups and committees, e.g. the FDM team and the Dean's Administrative Office of the Research and Transfer Committee.
Contact Research Support Services
Research Support Services at ZEFT is available for advice and support in applying for research projects.
