The 11th cohort of the Master's programme in Accounting and Auditing was celebrated at a graduation ceremony held in the ceremonial hall of Münster Castle on 4 July 2026. The programme directors, Prof. Dr. Kajüter and Prof. Dr. Nienhaus, presented the graduates with their master's certificates in the presence of their families and friends and congratulated them on the successful completion of their studies.

Mit einer feierlichen Absolventenfeier in der Aula des Schlosses Münster wurde am 4. Juli 2026 der 11. Jahrgang des Masterstudiengangs Accounting and Auditing verabschiedet. Die Studiengangleiter, Prof. Dr. Kajüter und Prof. Dr. Nienhaus, überreichten den Absolventinnen und Absolventen im Beisein ihrer Familien sowie Freundinnen und Freunde ihre Masterurkunden und gratulierten ihnen herzlich zum erfolgreichen Abschluss ihres Studiums.

The Student Council of the School of Business and Economics once again presented the annual Teaching Awards on behalf of the students. The awards recognize courses that stand out through outstanding commitment, high teaching quality, and a lasting contribution to students' academic success.

In the study programs Business Administration, Economics, and Information Systems, three courses from both the bachelor's and master's programs were nominated. From these nominations, the Teaching Award Committee selected this year's award recipients. Since 2010, the Teaching Awards have honored lecturers who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to excellent teaching. The award ceremony took place as part of the graduation celebration organized by the Student Council.

Awards for Information Systems:

• Bachelor: Dr. Lea Püchel & Ronja Dobler – Resource Overshoot Day 2.0 – Further Development of a Sustainability Tool for the University of Münster
• Master: Prof. Bernd Hellingrath – Supply Chain Management

Further nominations:

• Bachelor:Dr. Shariga Sivanathan – Digital Future Challenge
• Bachelor: Dr. Jens Lechtenbörger –  AIlaborate - Learnweb as a Personal Learning Environment for Students
• Master: Prof. Benedikt Berger – Exploring the Capabilities and Limits of AI Agents
• Master: Prof. Bernd Hellingrath & Prof. Luiz Felipe Scavardo do Carmo – Supply Chain Logistics Management

Congratulations to all nominees and award recipients on this well-deserved recognition!

The SMARD-GOV research project investigates how large language models (LLMs) can support decision-making processes in public administration in a secure, privacy-preserving, and legally compliant manner. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and is jointly carried out by Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), the University of Münster, and PROSOZ Herten GmbH.

Over the past months, the project has generated new insights and presented its research findings at several academic and professional events.

As part of the Computers, Privacy and Data Protection (CPDP) conference in Brussels, the University of Münster organized an interdisciplinary workshop on data accuracy in LLMs. Together with journalist Martin Bernklau, legal expert Constantin Lessmann (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg) and computer scientist Kristina Magnussen (University of Münster) discussed the risks of inaccurate AI-generated statements about individuals, the legal requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and current technical challenges. The workshop highlighted the continued need for research to develop trustworthy, privacy-preserving AI systems.

At the end of June, Johannes von Ivernois (University of Münster) participated in a hackathon organized by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernization (BMDS) to further develop the project "Faster Planning and Implementation through AI (SPARK)" in Berlin. As SPARK shares several thematic overlaps with SMARD-GOV, the event provided valuable opportunities to gain new insights for the project's research while contributing SMARD-GOV's findings to the further development of SPARK.

At the MEMO Conference at the University of Münster, Prof. Tobias Brandt presented initial findings from interviews and a pilot experimental study. The results were discussed with experts from public administration, fostering an exchange on current challenges and opportunities related to AI-supported administrative processes.

In addition, the SMARD-GOV team organized two expert workshops addressing the question: "How can LLMs be integrated into administrative procedures in a legally compliant way?". The workshops were aimed at stakeholders from the municipal sector and provided insights into initial project results while facilitating discussions on legal and technical challenges.

Research Partners Wanted

SMARD-GOV is currently looking for research partners from public administration to support the further development and validation of reliable and privacy-preserving AI systems. Real-world application data is needed to evaluate the developed approaches under practical conditions. Partners will gain early insights into project results while contributing to the development of privacy-preserving and legally compliant AI solutions for public administration.

Interested in collaborating? Contact the SMARD-GOV project team: Constantin Lessmann (constantin.lessmann@fau.de). 

The Universitätsgesellschaft Münster (University Society of Münster) has honoured Dr Colin Schulz from the Institute for Entrepreneurship with this year's Research Award. The award recognises his outstanding academic achievements, particularly his research into how companies—especially at the top management level—respond to technological and environmental change and develop forward-looking innovation and transformation pathways.

Die Universitätsgesellschaft Münster hat Dr. Colin Schulz vom Institut für Entrepreneurship mit dem diesjährigen Förderpreis ausgezeichnet. Damit würdigt der Verein die besonderen Leistungen des Wissenschaftlers, zu dessen Forschungsschwerpunkten die Frage gehört, wie Unternehmen insbesondere auf der Top-Management-Ebene auf technologische und ökologische Veränderungen reagieren und daraus zukunftsgerichtete Innovations- und Transformationspfade entwickeln.

In May, the new research project “SynDIKAT” was launched. The acronym stands for “Synthetic Disinformation Data, Infrastructure for Collaboration and Analysis Toolbox for Social Media Research”. Funded for three years by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the collaborative project focuses on disinformation in social media.

The project develops approaches for the privacy-compliant sharing and generation of synthetic social media data using large language models (LLMs) and agent-based simulations. Its main focus is on methodological questions in disinformation research.

According to the researchers, one central problem is the lack of shared social media datasets. As a result, methods for detecting and combating disinformation can currently only be compared and evaluated to a limited extent. SynDIKAT therefore aims to enable legally compliant data sharing and improve the evaluation of relevant algorithms for pattern and anomaly detection.

The project is led by Prof. Dr. Christian Grimme, Janina Lütke-Stockdiek, and Michael Vogt from the Department of Information Systems, as well as Prof. Dr. Thorsten Quandt, Malin Zoe Richter, and Paula Philine Jung from the Department of Communication at the University of Münster. Additional partners include GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, the Center for Advanced Internet Studies, and TU Dortmund University.

Links related to this news
BMFTR SynDIKAT

Press release from the University of Münster

Es ist gute Tradition an der Wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fakultät, die letzte Vorlesung von Professor:innen vor dem Ruhestand zu "stürmen" und so deren Verdienste gemeinsam mit Kolleg:innen, Familie und weiteren Wegbegleiter:innen zu würdigen. Im Juli war es bei Prof. Dr. Thomas Apolte, Inhaber des Lehrstuhls für Ökonomische Politikanalyse, so weit. Nach einem kurzweiligen Programm bedankte sich Thomas Apolte sichtlich bewegt bei den Anwesenden. Sein Fazit: „Es war schön.“ 

As part of the doctoral graduation ceremony of the School of Business and Economics on 8 July 2026, 15 early-career researchers successfully completed their doctoral studies. The doctoral certificates were ceremonially presented by the Dean of the School, Prof. Dr. Thomas Langer, in the historic setting of Münster University Schloss.

Im Rahmen der Promotionsfeier der Wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fakultät am 8. Juli 2026 haben 15 Nachwuchswissenschaftler ihre Promotion erfolgreich abgeschlossen. Die feierliche Übergabe der Doktorurkunden erfolgte durch den Dekan der Fakultät, Prof. Dr. Thomas Langer, im festlichen Ambiente des Schlosses der Universität Münster.

This year, the Student Council of the School of Business & Economics once again presented its Teaching Awards on behalf of the student body. The awards recognize courses distinguished by exceptional commitment, outstanding teaching quality, and a lasting contribution to students' academic success.  The awards were presented during the Graduation Ceremony, which was also organized by the Student Council.

Die Fachschaft Wirtschaftswissenschaften hat auch in diesem Jahr die Lehrpreise im Namen der Studierenden verliehen. Ausgezeichnet wurden Lehrveranstaltungen, die sich durch besonderes Engagement, hohe Lehrqualität und einen nachhaltigen Beitrag zum Studienerfolg auszeichnen. Die feierliche Preisverleihung fand im Rahmen der Abschlussfeier statt, die ebenfalls von der Fachschaft Wirtschaftswissenschaften organisiert wurde.

More than 400 bachelor's and master's graduates from the School of Business and Economics received their certificates during the recent graduation ceremony. Organized by the Student Council, the event provided graduates, their families, and friends with a festive setting to celebrate this special milestone together.

Über 400 Bachelor- und Masterabsolvent:innen der Wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fakultät haben im Rahmen der aktuellen Abschlussfeier ihre Zeugnisse erhalten. Die von der Fachschaft WiWi organisierte Veranstaltung bot den Absolvent:innen sowie ihren Familien und Freund:innen einen festlichen Rahmen, um diesen besonderen Meilenstein gemeinsam zu feiern. Neben den Abschlusszeugnissen wurden auch die Lehrpreise der Fachschaft für herausragende Lehre sowie die Preise der jungen Wirtschaft von AlumniUM und den Wirtschaftsjunioren Nord Westfalen verliehen.

In Part 26 of the Alumni Stories, we introduce Dr. Marc Güntermann, Global Head of Sales Strategy at the Volkswagen Group. After completing his degree in Business Administration at the University of Münster, where he graduated as a Diplom-Kaufmann, he earned his doctorate from Steinbeis University Berlin (Dr. rer. oec.) with a focus on empirical research into customer loyalty. He further expanded his international perspective through the Senior Executive Programme at London Business School. Professionally, he has held various leadership roles within the Volkswagen Group and Audi AG, including positions in Sales, After-Sales, as well as Strategy and Transformation in Germany and North America. These experiences shaped his understanding of international markets, differing customer behaviors, and data-driven decision-making. Today, Dr. Güntermann is Global Head of Sales Strategy at the Volkswagen Group, where he is responsible for the company’s global sales strategy with a strong focus on data orientation, transformation, and sustainable growth.

In Teil 26 der Alumni Stories stellen wir Dr. Marc Güntermann vor. Nach seinem Studium der Betriebswirtschaftslehre an der Universität Münster, das er als Diplom-Kaufmann abschloss, promovierte er an der Steinbeis University Berlin (Dr. rer. oec.). Ergänzend vertiefte er seine internationale Perspektive im Senior Executive Programme der London Business School. Beruflich war er in verschiedenen Führungsfunktionen innerhalb der Volkswagen Group und der Audi AG tätig. Heute ist Dr. Güntermann Global Head of Sales Strategy der Volkswagen Group und verantwortet die weltweite Vertriebsstrategie des Konzerns mit einem klaren Fokus auf Datenorientierung, Transformation und nachhaltiges Wachstum.

This semester, the Department of Information Systems once again had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Nathalie Mitev as part of the Visiting International Professor (VIP) Program of the School of Business and Economics. Since 2015, she has been an integral part of our international academic community and has been coming to Münster twice a year to teach doctoral seminars.

This semester, she led the seminar “Qualitative Research Methods,” in which participants explored various qualitative research methods as well as approaches to data collection and were able to apply them to their own dissertation projects.

Dr. Nathalie Mitev is currently affiliated with Université Paris Dauphine – PSL in France. She teaches master’s and doctoral students at universities around the world, particularly in the areas of qualitative research methods and academic writing. Her research focuses on information systems management and digital organizational change.

At the end of the seminar, the doctoral students took the opportunity to thank Dr. Mitev for her great commitment. Despite high temperatures and considerable travel delays, she once again made the journey to Münster to share her expertise with the participants. Dr. Mitev said she was “very touched” by the gesture. With the gift, the doctoral students expressed their appreciation for her many years of dedication and her committed teaching.

Die Einkommensteuer steht wieder im Zentrum der politischen Debatte. Vor Bekanntgabe der Ergebnisse des Koalitionsausschusses wurden vor allem der Grundfreibetrag, der sogenannte Mittelstandsbauch und der Spitzensteuersatz diskutiert. Doch aus Sicht von Prof. Dr. Nadine Riedel von der Universität Münster greift diese Diskussion zu kurz: Gemeinsam mit den Ökonom:innen Martin Jacob und Dominika Langenmayr plädiert sie am 30.06.2026 in der Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung (FAZ) für eine umfassende Vereinfachung des deutschen Einkommensteuersystems.

This publication presents, for the first time, an overview of the teaching activities at the University of Münster. The faculty portraits invite you to experience the conviction that university instruction is a key pillar of higher education. Under the guiding theme “Thinking About Economics as Relations”, the profile of the School of Business and Economics highlights how modern teaching in business and economics is shaped in Münster: interactive, practice-oriented, and closely connected to current societal developments.

Mit dieser Publikation bietet die Universität Münster erstmals einen Einblick in die Vielfalt der Lehre als das Fundament eines jeden Studiums. Die Fachbereichsportäts sind eine Einladung an alle, unsere Universität als einen Ort guter Lehre zu erleben und gemeinsam zu gestalten. Unter dem Leitgedanken „Wirtschaft in Zusammenhängen denken“ zeigt das Porträt, wie moderne Lehre am Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaften in Münster gestaltet wird: interaktiv, praxisnah und eng mit aktuellen gesellschaftlichen Entwicklungen verknüpft.