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Prof. Dr. Kerstin Weiß joined the team at the Feuchtwangen campus in April. There, she is taking over as director of the “Smart Energy Systems” degree program, which combines digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. In this interview, she introduces herself.

Professional Career:

• Studied chemistry at RWTH Aachen University
• Ph.D. in biophysics from Georg-August University of Göttingen
• Systems engineer in optronics at Airbus
• Project manager for smart products at STIHL
• Group leader for robotics and electronics development
• Group leader for electric motor development

What motivated you to move to the Feuchtwangen campus after 12 years in the industry?

Even while working on my Ph.D., I had toyed with the idea of becoming a professor. I’ve always taken great pleasure in teaching and research—as well as in sharing knowledge and having the opportunity to help shape the future. On my 40th birthday, I had a “If not now, when?” moment. It became clear to me that I wanted to contribute my experience where I could make a difference in society. With its focus on the energy transition in rural areas, Feuchtwangen offers great potential for this.

What are your goals as a professor at the Feuchtwangen campus?

My goal is to consistently develop the Smart Energy Systems (SES) program in an application-oriented manner and to prepare students as well as possible for their future professional roles. In addition to subject-specific knowledge, I want to teach students, above all, practical problem-solving strategies and interdisciplinary thinking—especially in the age of artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, I aim to systematically expand research at the Feuchtwangen campus. Together with my colleague Prof. Vaidya and our colleagues from Ansbach, I want to strengthen regional collaborations and advance practical research projects related to the energy transition.

What do you think are the biggest challenges?

A key challenge will be to inspire future students to pursue natural sciences and engineering, thereby further increasing enrollment at the Feuchtwangen campus. The energy transition requires well-trained professionals. Another personal priority of mine is promoting girls and women in STEM fields. As part of the “Professorinnen-Programm 2030” (Women Professors Program 2030), I would like to help provide targeted support for women at all levels of their academic careers.

In addition, I would like to work with regional companies to identify suitable research projects in order to establish long-term and successful collaborations.

Prof. Weiß looks forward to meeting with interested individuals in person at this year’s “CAMPUS.NAH” on

July 25 in Feuchtwangen.