In addition to the defined university priorities and the priorities at faculty level, the University of Potsdam supports individual innovative projects.
These are endorsed and partially funded as research initiatives by the university management.
Health sciences
Together with the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) and the Brandenburg Medical University (MHB), the University of Potsdam is establishing a joint faculty for health sciences. The focus of teaching and research is on medicine and health in old age. The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is involved in the fields of nutritional science and computer science.
Individual-Based Ecology Research Network
Global change, characterised by increasing non-linear dynamics, directly affects the individual organisms of natural systems. However, common ecological concepts estimate ecosystem resilience based on the average characteristics of populations or communities, ignoring the differences between individuals and their interactions with the environment. However, accounting for these individual differences is often crucial for predicting biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics.
The Individual-Based Ecology Research Network focuses on individuals to understand biodiversity and the resulting ecosystem dynamics. The network consists of 9 cooperating institutions. Spokesperson of the research initiative is Prof. Florian Jeltsch from the Institute of Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation at the University of Potsdam.