Prof Dr Katharina Riedel is to become the new spokesperson for the Universities Member Group of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK). On Tuesday, the microbiologist and Rector of the University of Greifswald was elected in Berlin to succeed Prof Dr Anja Steinbeck in this role. In accordance with the HRK rules of procedure, Riedel will therefore also become a Vice-President of the HRK. The term of office for Riedel and the other members of the spokespersons’ board begins on 1 December 2026.
Prof Dr Tanja Brühl, President of the Technical University of Darmstadt, was elected deputy spokesperson for the members’ group. The extended spokespersons’ board once again includes Prof Dr Hauke Heekeren, President of the University of Hamburg, as well as the newly elected Prof Dr Barbara Albert, Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen. She succeeds Prof Dr Volker Epping, President of Leibniz University Hannover, who did not stand for re-election.
The HRK’s member groups facilitate the exchange of views on issues relating to a specific type of university. The spokespersons’ board prepares the member group’s meetings and continually represents its interests within the HRK and beyond. The HRK rules of procedure stipulate the member groups for Universities and the Universities of Applied Sciences as mandatory.
