8 May 2026

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, 7 May 2026 - With the founding of the Institute for Digitalisation, Innovation and Change (DICH), Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is creating a central hub for digital transformation. The institute links scientific expertise directly with the practical challenges of regional and national companies and the training of future specialists.

The founding meeting took place in the DICH - Sensory Lab at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. Representatives from teaching and research came together to determine the content and organisational basis for the future work of the institute.

During the meeting, Prof. Dr Lutz Göcke and Prof. Dr Steffen Dörhöfer presented the future research priorities, the founding members and the guiding principles for cooperation within the institute.

A competence cluster for practice: added value for SMEs and the region

In addition to its research activities, DICH sees itself as a partner to industry. The institute offers companies in the region access to expertise in the areas of innovation management, digitalisation and change management.

The university management sees the foundation as an important strategic step: „I am particularly pleased that the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences is thus further expanding its institute-related research work,“ emphasises Prof. Dr Jörg Wagner, President of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. „This is a significant boost for the further development of our university and its visibility in research and transfer.“

„The institute aims to bring together different perspectives and create space for innovative research specialisms,“ says Steffen Dörhöfer, professor in the Business Administration department and founding member. „Our aim is to shape the institute together and pool a wide range of expertise.“

The institute also offers new opportunities from the perspective of (sensory) product research

„I am delighted that the Sensory Lab, which has been implementing projects for a wide range of degree programmes for over 20 years, is now officially anchored within DICH,“ explains Stephanie Glassl, Head of the Sensory Lab. „The integration into the institute strengthens our role as an interface between research and practice and opens up new perspectives for joint projects.“

The institute combines scientific expertise with concrete challenges from business practice. It aims to strengthen both internal research activities and promote cooperation with external partners from companies and institutions. A particular focus is on the design of transformation processes in organisations and the development of innovative solutions for current challenges.

The elected board consists of Lutz Göcke, Steffen Dörhöfer, Stephanie Glassl and Sandra Nioduschewski - the active founding members.

The establishment of DICH is part of the strategic development of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences in the field of applied research. By pooling existing expertise, synergies are to be utilised and the university's visibility in relevant future topics is to be increased.