Research profile of RheinMain University of Applied Sciences
RheinMain University of Applied Sciences seeks to distinctly sharpen the profile of its research topics and structures using the framework of its research guidelines. The activities it pursues to this end, promote comprehensive, high-quality, faculty and cross-faculty achievements for practice-based and applied research. In this context, our focal areas of research play a particularly important strategic, operational and content-structuring role. Depending on their form the research priorities generate local, regional and national initiatives. They also provide a content-based platform ranging from in-depth scientific and artistic training to doctoral programs and offer a wide basis for cooperation with our university's partners.
How do we define research?
The RheinMain University of Applied Sciences is a university where research and excellence in taught programs are crucial. Both elements play a major role in enhancing the university's profile and are reflected in our mission statement. The aim of research at the university is to gain new insights into different fields of science and to foster academic knowledge and skills. Our research contributes to sustainably developing the economy, politics and society, and we regard this as our ethical and social responsibility. (further)
Besides the faculties' priority research areas, RheinMain University of Applied Sciences currently has three profile-enhancing research focal areas. They bundle together skills and resources, meaning research topics can be pursued across the faculties and subject areas and implemented at a high level. Students, academic staff and professors from different faculties collaborate in researching these forward-looking, interdisciplinary projects, thus creating a structure that consolidates the university's strength in research and its research profile. It also boosts the promotion of young talent and contributes to the university's regional and international reputation.
Smart Systems for Man and Technology
The "Smart Systems for Man and Technology" research focal area highlights one of RheinMain University of Applied Sciences' strengths: examining research issues of practical relevance in an interdisciplinary, holistic manner. Easy to operate IT systems are at the heart of the research, i.e. smart, safe systems tailored to the features and environments of users. To achieve this, it takes the combined efforts of various computer science subdisciplines. Right from the start, computer science has been one of the strongest areas of research at the university. (more)
Professionalism in Social Work
This research priority area focuses on structural problems and the dilemmas of professional action in social work, in addition to the numerous methods of handling them productively and in a reflective way. Furthermore, a closer look is taken at the different forms of working relationships and their underlying conditions in the various fields of social work. How these aspects help break down everyday barriers faced by the target groups is a core theme, in addition to how they enable new, and both social and democratic options for action to be developed. The research focal area thus aims to contribute to enhancing the profile of social work on an empirical basis (more).
Engineering 4.0
The interdisciplinary profile enhancing priority area "Engineering 4.0" brings together the key technologies of microsystems engineering and nanotechnology, including the four areas of application drive, energy, sensor and communication engineering. This blend of disciplines is the first step in creating innovative technical and economic solutions in these fields of application (more).
The faculties' current focal areas in research at the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences are:
- Sustainable mobility and energy
- Environmental and medical technology
- Key technologies
- Media technologies
- Smart systems for man and technology
- Resource-efficient building and developing new materials and ways of building
- Infrastructure planning in metropolitan areas
- Living space, daily life, modes of social production
- Professionalism in social work
Clustering competencies in the research focal areas means that research topics can be worked on from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Research is conducted in various disciplines at the university's five faculities. More details can be found on the research pages of the faculties:
Architecture and Civil Engineering