Dipl.-Ing. Friederike Meyer, Architectural Journalist

Friederike Meyer studied architecture in Aachen and Seattle and graduated from the Evangelische Journalistenschule in Berlin. As an author, moderator, editor and lecturer in architectural communication, she works at the interface between architecture, urban development and society. Since 2017, she has been editor-in-chief of BauNetz.de and co-editor of the book 'Die Stadt nach Corona', published by Jovis in 2021. In 2022 she was a fellow at the Thomas Mann House in Los Angeles.

Prof Dr Felix Bießmann, Head of the Cognitive Algorithms Lab and Machine Learning Expert, BHT  

After a BSc in Cognitive Science, a MSc in Neurosciences and a PhD in Machine Learning, Felix Biessmann was appointed Assistant Professor for Machine Learning at Korea University, Seoul. From 2014 to 2018, he has been with Amazon Research, Berlin. Since 2018 he is professor for Machine Learning at Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Einstein Center Digital Future. His research focuses on developing Machine Learning methods and applications for data quality automation, transparent Machine Learning and Machine Learning applications working towards our sustainability goals.

Prof Dr Christian Butz, Urban Mobility Expert, BHT

Christian Butz is Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Technology. He studied Business Administration at TU Berlin and was subsequently a research assistant at the Logistics Department of the TU Berlin. As a management consultant and in a leading role for research and training at 4flow AG in Berlin, he has continued to develop his many years of research in transport logistics with a focus on urban logistics, mobility and traffic, transport optimisation and network planning. His book 'Mindful Mobility', which outlines new approaches to the design of passenger transport in urban areas, was published in 2023.

Prof Thomas Sakschewski, Spokesperson for the collaborative research unit Sustainable Cities and Event Management Expert, BHT

Thomas Sakschewski is Professor of Event Management at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences. He studied psychology and business administration (MA) and has held positions as an exhibition organiser and project manager in various fields such as event management, project management and technical management for various clients in Berlin since 1994. He is the author of numerous publications on event management.

Prof Dipl.-Ing. Laura Vahl, Expert in Landscape Architecture and Open Space Design, BHT

Laura Vahl studied landscape architecture at the TU Berlin and then worked in the offices of landscape artist Martha Schwartz in London and Cambridge, Massachusetts. Back in Berlin, she founded Kokomo Landschaft und Stadtraum (formerly Lavaland), where she and her partner now lead a team of around fifteen people. Until 2015 she was a research assistant at TU Berlin. Since 2019, Laura has been Professor of Representation and Design in Landscape Architecture at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Technology. Laura regularly gives lectures on landscape architecture and urban space and is a regular juror for urban and open space planning competitions. She is also a member of the Design Advisory Board of the City of Rostock.

Moderator: Prof Dr Yasmin Olteanu, Borderstep Institut / BHT

As a full Professor of Entrepreneurship at Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT) and a Research Fellow at the Borderstep Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, Yasmin Olteanu's primary research interest lies in sustainable entrepreneurship. Specifically, she explores the characteristics and challenges faced by green startups, as well as the impact management and measurement of young ventures and their role in facilitating the sustainability transition. Prior to entering academia, she gained valuable experience in founding, managing, and investing in green and impact startups, with a focus on East Africa and South America.