The Vice Dean's Office for Sustainability in the Medical Dean's Office - alongside many other committed units of the university and the UKB - is doing its best to drive sustainable development forward and promote ongoing commitment in this area. Starting with a sustainability officer at the Faculty of Medicine in 2021, the Vice Dean's Office, which was officially established last year, now consists of a dedicated team of three.
Under the leadership of Vice Dean Prof. Wachten and Vice Dean Prof. Beck, the Vice Dean's Office has been the central steering unit for sustainability at the Faculty of Medicine since mid-2024. Their intrinsic motivation and extraordinary personal interest in this topic are fundamental characteristics of the two Vice Deans in order to devote themselves more closely to the sustainable transformation at the University & UKB. (Link to interview with the two)
With Christina Böhm as the first sustainability officer of the Medical Dean's Office, the sustainability area started there in 2021 and has since experienced a steady increase in relevance until it was successfully appointed as the Vice Dean's Office for Sustainability in 2024. Christina Böhm is currently on parental leave, but is expected to return at the beginning of 2026 and will then enrich the team with her work again.
Elena Hachem, a member of the team since October 2023, is studying for a Master's degree in Media Studies at the University of Bonn and is responsible for communication and public relations in the Vice Dean's Office. She is also involved in various sustainability projects and events. With her previous work at Team N in the Vice Rectorate for Sustainability and her voluntary work in the AStA's Ecology Department, her ongoing commitment in this area is very important to her.
Dr. Julia Meis-Harris has also been a member of the team since September 2024, replacing Ms Böhm on parental leave. As an environmental and health psychologist, Julia Meis-Harris previously worked at the Institute for Health and Risk Communication in applied behavioral research at the UKB. Julia is now the project and committee manager in the Vice Dean's Office for Sustainability and the central point of contact for all questions in this area.
Since October 2024, Louise Bonhöfer - a student on the Master's in Management, Leadership, Innovation at Remagen University of Applied Sciences - has been the third member of the current sustainability team. Together with Elena Hachem and Julia Meis-Harris, she is committed to sustainable development at the Faculty of Medicine. Among other things, she is also responsible for public relations. In her private life, Louise is committed to combating food waste.
If you have any questions, suggestions or simply want to be put in touch with the right contact person - either at the UKB or at the University of Bonn - you can contact the Vice Dean's Office for Sustainability at any time. The team will be happy to be of service to you!
You will always find the team's contact details listed at the end of the “Sustainable Faculty” website.