From Strawberry Spinach to the Heat Transition: Coffee Talks at UNI:Lokal

The Coffee Talks at UNI:Lokal will continue during the 2026/27 winter semester. In short presentations, researchers from the University of Kassel will share their research topics with interested members of the public—in a brief and concise format, and of course free of charge. The talks, lasting about 15 minutes, are aimed at anyone who wants to start their evening with some interesting insights into current topics. Sweet snacks and drinks are provided free of charge. The Coffee Talks will take place in the heart of downtown at UNI:Lokal (Wilhelmsstraße 21) on Wednesdays at 4 p.m., starting November 4.

People, Greenhouse, Plants — The Witzenhausen Teaching and Learning Garden is coming—in a figurative sense—to Kassel.

To kick off the series, Catherina Merx (Greenhouse for Tropical Crops, Witzenhausen) takes visitors on a tour of the educational garden in Witzenhausen, introducing both forgotten and new varieties of vegetables—such as strawberry spinach and Kasseler Strünkchen.

On the topic of “Wärmewende,” Dr. Leo Reutter (Institute for Economics of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Skilled Trades at the University of Göttingen) will present his reform proposal on November 18 at UNI:Lokal, which aims to enable a transparent and fair distribution of the costs and benefits of energy-efficiency upgrades.

Water is under climate stress—climate change, droughts, and heavy rainfall are taking a toll on our water cycle. Prof. Dr. Matthias Gaßmann and Dr. Lysander Bresinsky (Institute for Water, Waste, and the Environment) will explain during the Coffee Talk on November 25 how water reservoirs and the natural filtering function of soils in North Hesse can be protected.

Prof. Dr. Martin Bauspieß (Institute for Protestant Theology) will get us in the Christmas spirit by exploring, during the Coffee Talk on December 9, what the Christmas story can tell us today.

Luka Jurišić (Department of Transportation Planning and Transportation Systems) takes a look at the upcoming holiday season; during the coffee talk on January 25, 2027, he will explain how city travelers explore their vacation destinations and how these insights can help make urban mobility more sustainable.

At UNI:Lokal in the city center, the University of Kassel presents research from the university to a broad audience under the motto “Science for All” to promote dialogue between the scientific community and the public. In this open space for events and exhibitions, visitors are invited to engage in dialogue with researchers on current scientific topics and discuss various aspects.

The “Coffee Talks” also address socially relevant topics being researched at the University of Kassel and present them in a way that relates to everyday life. The short presentations showcase the broad spectrum of research and teaching at the university, whose mission is to develop solutions for a livable future.

All lecture dates and further information: www.uni-kassel.de/go/unilokal
All events at UNI:Lokal, Wilhelmsstraße 21 | Free admission

Wednesday, November 4, 4:00 p.m.

Coffee Talk | On Strawberry Spinach and Kassel Strünkchen

15 minutes with Catherina Merx (Greenhouse for Tropical Crops, Witzenhausen)

Wednesday, November 18, 4:00 p.m.

Coffee Talk | Fairness and Transparency in the Heating Transition in the Rental Sector

15 minutes with Dr. Leo Reutter (Institute for Economics of Small Businesses and Skilled Trades at the University of Göttingen)

Wednesday, November 25, 4:00 p.m.

Coffee Talk | Water Under Climate Stress: How Do We Protect Water Reservoirs and the Natural Filtering Function of Soils in Northern Hesse?

15 minutes with Prof. Dr. Matthias Gaßmann and Dr. Lysander Bresinsky (Institute for Water, Waste, and Environment | Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)

Wednesday, December 9, 4:00 p.m.

Coffee Talk | What the Christmas Story Might Tell Us Today

15 minutes with Prof. Dr. Martin Bauspieß (Institute for Protestant Theology, Department of Biblical Studies/New Testament)

Wednesday, January 27, 4:00 p.m.

Coffee Talk | How Do City Travelers Explore Their Vacation Destinations?

15 minutes with Luka Jurišić (Department of Transportation Planning and Transportation Systems)

Contact:

Kathrin Meckbach
University of Kassel Communications and Marketing

Office Curator, UNI:Lokal
Phone: +49 561 804-1817
Email: kathrin.meckbach[at]uni-kassel[dot]de