From Ideas to Impact: A Summer School on Design Thinking for Diversity Medicine

A joint project of the working group for Data-Driven Innovation at TUHH, the Institute for Diversity Medicine at Ruhr University Bochum, acadim, and Leuphana University, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space

Dates: September 15-19, 2025, 10:00 to 17:00

Location: Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Am Schwarzenberg-Campus 4, Building D, 21073 Hamburg, Germany - Room D3.015

Language: English

Fee: Free of charge (includes travel costs and accommodation for participants coming from outside Hamburg)

Despite growing awareness of gender disparities in healthcare, clinical research continues to inadequately represent women, trans*, intersex, and non-binary individuals—while also neglecting areas where men are underrepresented, such as psychiatry and psychotherapy. Addressing these gaps is essential for advancing equitable, inclusive healthcare.

Our interdisciplinary Summer School brings together Master’s and PhD students from all relevant fields to tackle these challenges. Over five days, participants will collaborate across disciplines using user-centered design thinking approach to co-create practical solutions for five pressing areas: endometriosis, prosthetics, arthroplasty, eating disorders in men, and patient safety. Importantly, individuals affected by these conditions will actively contribute throughout the program, ensuring their needs and perspectives are centered.

Through expert input, peer exchange, and hands-on project work, participants will develop innovative, data-driven approaches that advance sex- and gender-sensitive clinical research and care.

Apply now to be part of this transformative experience. Please note that only 20 spots are available and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes on July 31. You will receive confirmation via email within two weeks of applying.

In case you have any questions, please contact us via email. 

Best regards from the organizers, 

Pauline, Sebastian, Moritz, Eda, Amanda & Moritz 

Program

15.09. Monday

Morning

 

Afternoon

Evening

Introduction of participants

Input: Gender data gap in clinical research (Prof. Dr. Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal)

Input: Design Thinking (Prof. Dr. Moritz Göldner) 

Joint dinner

 

16.09. Tuesday

Morning

Afternoon

Input: Experts on 5 use cases 

Group work

17.09. Wednesday

Morning

 

Afternoon

Conducting interviews with those affected (on site & digitally)

Structuring the findings

Development of solution space

18.09. Thursday

Morning

 

Afternoon

Evening

Testing solution space with those affected (on site & digitally)

Derivation of findings

Revision of solution space

Joint closing dinner

19.09. Friday

Morning

 

Afternoon

Preparation of final presentation

Final presentation and feedback from the experts

End of the event

Scientific Input

Prof. Dr. Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal (Ruhr University Bochum)

Prof. Dr. Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal studied medicine in Lübeck, Bristol and Bonn and subsequently completed her doctorate and habilitation in Bonn. During her specialist medical training, she specialized in the fields of haematology and internal oncology from 2007. Since 2021, she has been the founding chair of the Diversity and Individual Medicine working group of the German Society for Hematology and Oncology and has been Professor of Diversity Medicine at Ruhr University Bochum since 2023. 

Prof. Dr. Moritz Göldner (Hamburg University of Technology)

Prof. Dr. Moritz Göldner is an assistant professor for Data-driven Innovation at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). In his research Moritz aims to explore the intersection of innovation management, healthcare and engineering with a focus on data-driven innovation. One of his focus topics are digital health applications (DiGA) and their impact on the digital health care system in the future. Furthermore, he is studying the interactions of sustainability and healthcare and the data streams that connect the two. Lastly, he aims at further exploring how big dataset might help to design user-centric innovation in the future. Moritz teaches Product Planning and Design Thinking, as well as Digital Health and Sustainability in Healthcare, to Bachelor's and Master's students at TUHH. 

 

Experts for selected use cases

Eva Zinser (Endometriosis Association Germany e.V.)

...(https://www.endometriose-vereinigung.de)

Vanessa Rexin (Ottobock

Innovation manager at Ottobock and previously co-founder and managing director of the start-up LÆMON, which developed smart safety jewelry. She is an engineer, studied at RWTH Aachen University, and is currently completing her doctorate there in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Kira Tosberg (German Coalition for Patient Safety)

Kira Tosberg is the Scientific Executive Board Officer at the German Coalition for Patient Safety (Aktionsbündis Patientensicherheit e.v., short: APS). In this role, she supports the organization’s substantive work with evidence-based input and, as co-team leader, coordinates the association’s tasks and its collaborations. As a cultural scientist, she sees patient safety as a societal responsibility that requires a cultural shift towards a more proactive safety culture. APS is a non-profit organization committed to improving safety in healthcare by fostering professional exchange, providing concrete recommendations for action, and raising awareness of risks within the healthcare system.

Prof. Georgios Paslakis (Ruhr University Bochum)

Georgios Paslakis, PhD (he/him) is Professor for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the Ruhr University Bochum, and involved in both clinical treatments of individuals with eating disorders as well as research, with a special focus on men with eating disorders. He also works in teams across disciplines, examining the impact of gender roles and normative masculinities on mental health in general and eating disorders specifically. He has authored several publications on the subject.

Prof. Dr. Sara Checa (Hamburg University of Technology)

Prof. Sara Checa studied industrial engineering at the University of Málaga, Spain, and completed her PhD at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, with a thesis on “Mechanical requirements for early intervention devices for the knee.” Her career then took her to Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and from there to the Julius Wolff Institute at Charité in Berlin. Sara Checa remained at Charité for around 15 years, where she was appointed professor in 2017. In the summer of 2024, she moved to the Hamburg University of Technology as director of the Institute of Biomechanics.

Registration

Only 20 seats are available for our summer school - register now via the link below to secure your spot!

intranet.tuhh.de/anmeldung/summerschool

Accommodation

We offer accommodation at our partner hotel, Villa Viva Hamburg, to participants travelling from 50 km or more outside Hamburg.

https://www.villaviva-hamburg.de 

Once you have received confirmation of your attendance, we will share further details regarding the accomodation with you. You do not need to arrange accommodation yourself.

Contact us

eda.kalayci(at)tuhh.de

Dr. Eda Kalayci

Research Associate at the Working Group for Data-Driven Innovation 

Hamburg University of Technology

Am Schwarzenberg-Campus 4, Buildung D

21073 Hamburg, Germany

T: +49 40 4278 4826

Organization Team

Prof. Dr. Pauline Reinecke (Leuphana University) 

Prof. Dr. Pauline Reinecke is Junior Professor of Business Administration at Leuphana University’s Institute for Management & Organization (IMO), where she specializes in Strategic Entrepreneurship. 

Sebastian Paschen (Institute for Diversity Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, acadim – Academy for Diversity-specific and Individualized Medicine)

Sebastian Paschen is a scientist at the Department of Health Services Research at the Institute for Diversity Medicine at Ruhr University Bochum, co-founder of acadim – Academy for Diversity-specific and Individualized Medicine and a sixth year Medical student.

Moritz Roloff (acadim – Academy for Diversity-specific and Individualized Medicine, Institute for Diversity Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum) 

Moritz Roloff is co-founder of acadim – Academy for Diversity-specific and Individualized Medicine, a project by the Institute for Diversity Medicine at Ruhr University Bochum and a sixth year Medical student.

Dr. Eda Kalayci, Amanda Baum (currently on parental leave) & Prof. Dr. Moritz Göldner (Working Group for Data-Driven Innovation, Hamburg University of Technology)

Dr. Eda Kalayci is as a Research Associate at the Working Group for Data-Driven Innovation, Hamburg University of Technology, and shortly before completed her PhD in Marketing at the Kühne Logistics University, Hamburg.

Amanda Baum is as a Research Associate and a Doctoral candidate at the Working Group for Data-Driven Innovation Hamburg University of Technology

Prof. Dr. Moritz Göldner is an Assistant professor for Data-driven Innovation at Hamburg University of Technology

Discover Hamburg

Hamburg is a city that seamlessly blends academic excellence with rich history, stunning architecture, and a dynamic cultural scene. From the UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt and the vibrant St. Pauli district to the iconic St. Michael’s Church and the world-renowned Elbphilharmonie, the city offers an inspiring environment both inside and outside the classroom.

Take a walk along the Elbe River or relax by the Alster Lake. Explore one-of-a-kind experiences like Hamburg’s Miniatur Wunderland or its many museums, theatres, and concert halls. With its strong research institutions, international academic community, and high quality of life, Hamburg offers the perfect setting for a rewarding and memorable summer school experience.

See you this September!