Head Office Team
Address
Chausseestraße 111
10115 Berlin
Germany
Phone: +49 30 20 60 49 180
Fax: +49 30 20 60 49 189
Email: geschaeftsstelle@german-u15.de
Dr Jan Wöpking
Managing Director
Email:
geschaeftsfuehrung@german-u15.de
Jan Wöpking is Managing Director of German U15 and fosters dialogue between universities and policymakers. Drawing on experience in academia, strategy, and leadership, he advances science policy – with clarity, connectivity, and impact. He earned his PhD at Freie Universität Berlin and studied in Jena, Berlin, London, and Paris.
As a speaker and moderator, Jan Wöpking regularly contributes to commissions and media – from ZEIT to Deutschlandfunk. In 2024, he was named one of the 100 most influential figures in German science.
Dr Friederike Schröder
Deputy Managing Director and Head of International
Phone: +49 30 20 60 49 185
Email: friederike.schroeder@german-u15.de
Friederike Schröder is Deputy Managing Director and is responsible for international relations at German U15. She connects Germany’s leading research universities worldwide, analyzes international science policy, and brings global perspectives into the network. Her core interests include European research policy, research integrity, and research security.
Before joining U15, she headed the DAAD Centre for International Academic Cooperation (KIWi). She holds a PhD in Geography, with a focus on urban development in China, and has studied in Göttingen, Singapore, and Hamburg.
Yannick Bauer
Head of Policy
Phone: +49 30 20 60 49 182
Email: yannick.bauer@german-u15.de
Yannick Bauer leads the policy division at German U15 – bringing issues from the science system into the political arena. He monitors and contextualises developments at the federal and EU levels, coordinates the positions of U15 universities, and ensures their voices are heard.
Yannick studied Global History and English in Berlin, London, and Cambridge. Before joining U15, he worked in sports journalism and as a research associate at Freie Universität Berlin.
Karin Kutter
Head of Communications and Marketing
Phone: +49 30 20 60 49 184
Email: karin.kutter@german-u15.de
Karin Kutter is responsible for communications at German U15. Her goal: to clearly communicate complex science policy issues – strategically, creatively, and effectively.
She previously worked in science and cultural communications, including with ARTE, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (BBAW), and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. She studied Political Science in Berlin and Istanbul and is also trained as a UI designer.
Juliane Henska, MBA
Head of Office
Phone: +49 30 20 60 49 180
Email:
geschaeftsstelle@german-u15.de
Juliane Henska manages administration and coordinates the German U15 office.
She brings extensive experience in project and event management and has helped structure and design numerous national and international trips and special formats in science and higher education policy at German U15. As a central interface, Juliane connects the U15 office, policy, and external partners.
She studied Geography and African Studies at HU Berlin and holds a Master of Business Administration.
Erik Becker
Policy Manager
Phone: +49 30 20 60 49 183
Email: erik.becker@german-u15.de
Erik Becker is Policy Manager at German U15. He monitors science and education policy in the German Bundestag and informs members about developments in political Berlin. He coordinates U15-internal committees on topics such as strengthening teacher training and preventing antisemitism.
Erik studied at three U15 universities: Political Science at Freie Universität Berlin, Modern South and Southeast Asian Studies at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and is currently pursuing his PhD in the sociology of science at the University of Bonn.
Katharina Gotzler
Advisor for Events and Communication
Phone: +49 30 20 60 49 187
Email: katharina.gotzler@german-u15.de
Katharina Gotzler is Advisor for Events and Communication at German U15. She organizes formats such as TURN24, the U15 Teaching Dialogue, and parliamentary events, and also supports communications activities. Previously, she coordinated the German Academic International Network (GAIN) in New York.
She studied Political Science with an extended stay in Israel and completed a professional training program in communications management at the German Press Academy.