How can structural change in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld region be successfully shaped? Under this guiding question, the Just Transition Center (JTC) of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) invited participants to the event “JTC Meets the Region” on November 6, 2025, held in the metal laboratory of the Bitterfeld-Wolfen Chemical Park. A meeting on equal footing between politics, research, business, and society.
The event was opened by Armin Schenk, Mayor of the City of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, and Prof. Dr. Christian Tietje, Chair of the JTC. A central keynote was delivered by Elena Herzel from Entwicklungsgesellschaft Bitterfeld-Wolfen mbH, who addressed current opportunities and challenges of regional transformation in Anhalt-Bitterfeld and beyond.
Afterwards, researchers from the JTC presented their projects. Dr. Steffi Formann (Team A3, Networking of Structural Change Regions) focused on the soil remediation project “Redesigning Quality of Life in Bitterfeld.” Jenny Steinhorst (Team C3, Transformative Education) and Hermine Bähr (Team A1, Structural Change & Participation) provided insights into the evaluation of the funding program “Revierpionier.”
Exchange and Networking
In the afternoon, a panel discussion provided space for in-depth conversations about key topics such as the shortage of skilled workers, promoting young talent in the chemical industry, and the importance of industrial culture for regional identity.
Panel participants included Patrice Heine (Managing Director, Chemical Park Bitterfeld-Wolfen), Susann Schult (Managing Director, Neue Bitterfelder Wohnungs- und Baugesellschaft (NEUBI)), Dr. Alexander Klose (Team A2, Chemistry in Transition), and Philipp Hilgeroth (Team B7, Design of 3D-Printable Polymers).
The engaging session was moderated by Prof. Dr. Wehrspohn (JTC Board Member and Spokesperson of Pillar B). During the audience Q&A, participants emphasized the importance of interesting chemistry lessons in schools as well as cultural spaces and activities for young people, to ensure that skilled workers will continue to come to and stay in the region in the future.
During the subsequent networking session, numerous participants from politics, business, academia, and civil society took the opportunity to exchange ideas across disciplines and discuss potential future collaborations.
Exciting Research Insights for Young People
Already in the morning, four workshops were held at ABI LAB of Forum Rathenau e.V., a local platform for science and education, where JTC teams offered insights into their interdisciplinary research.
Team B5 inspired apprentices with a hands-on demonstration on solar energy, during which a Bluetooth speaker built by the participants themselves was powered by a solar panel. Team B2 introduced participants to the fascinating world of geology, while Team B1 focused on soil research – the layer above the rocks. Teams A4 and C3 took participants on a journey into the future of spaces, memories, and living environments in times of structural change.
