Research Ambassadors

DAAD Research Ambassadors are scholars and scientists in Australia who have conducted advanced long-term research projects in Germany. They are looking to promote research activities in Germany at their home universities and among their peers and students.

The main responsibility of a DAAD Research Ambassador is to promote research opportunities across Germany. This will generally be in the Research Ambassador’s professional community, university or organisation, and discipline.

It can take the form of:

Contacting department chairs and senior administration officers to share information about study and research opportunities in Germany, including DAAD grants and other organisations’ funding programs.
Arranging an information session on campus for students, and/or prospective applicants to DAAD programs, in their department.
Providing advice and support to students and researchers interested in pursuing academic activities in Germany in their field from any university or institution in Australia. There is also the potential of doing the same for German DAAD scholarship recipients currently studying in Australia.

Please note that this is a voluntary post with no compensation available. However, DAAD will make reimbursements available upon request to cover expenses related to production of promotional materials or for refreshments at meetings or informational events.

At the end of each semester, each Research Ambassador is asked to submit short reports to DAAD Australia with any important contacts made and meetings organised.

Are you interested in becoming one of our Research Ambassadors? You must have:

Completed a total of at least 10 months conducting research in Germany at the doctoral level or above
Be familiar with the current research landscape in Germany for your respective discipline
Be willing and able to attend an annual DAAD Research Ambassadors Training Workshop in Sydney.

Scholars and scientists from all disciplines are invited to apply. Applications will be accepted from all “Germany Alumni”, including DAAD alumni. German nationals who studied in Germany at the doctoral level but are now living and researching in Australia are also welcome to apply.

Research Ambassador terms are for two academic years, and can be renewed. Travel arrangements for the anual Research Ambassadors Training Workshop are covered by DAAD.

The next round of applications will take place in the second half of 2024.

Meet Our Current Research Ambassadors

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Prof. Alexander Maier

Australian National University (ANU)

E-mail: alex.maieranu.edu.au
Australian National University (ANU)
School of Biology
Research interests: Parasitology, Malaria Research
Copyright DAAD
Assoc. Prof. Daniela Ottmann

Bond University

E-mail: dottmannbond.edu.au
Associate Professor in Architecture
Bond University
Faculty of Society & Design
Daniela’s research interests: Architecture and Urban Design in
socio-cultural, politico-economic and bio-climatic
environments in Europe, MiddleEast, Australia, Africa and China
Associate Prof. Steven Cooke

Deakin University, Melbourne

E-mail: steven.cookedeakin.edu.au
Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies
School of Humanities and Social Science
Faculty of Arts and Education
Deakin University, Melbourne
Copyright DAAD
Prof. Jörg Baumeister

Griffith University

E-mail: j.baumeistergriffith.edu.au
Professor for Architecture and Urban Design
Griffith University
School of Engineering and Built Environment –
Architecture and Design
Research interests: Ecological Cities, Affordable Housing,
Design Innovation
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Assoc. Prof. Thomas Hasselhorst

Griffith University

E-mail: t.haselhorstgriffith.edu.au
Associate Professor for Glycoscience
Griffith University
Institute of Glycomics & School of Environment and Science
Research interests: Structural Glycoscience, Implementation of NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Modelling Methods
Prof. Leonie Barner

Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane

E-mail: leonie.barnerqut.edu.au
Inaugural Director Centre for a Waste-Free World
Principal Research Fellow
School of Chemistry & Physics
Faculty of Science
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane

Research interest: Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry, Nanoparticle driven templating of microspheres as chromatographic materials, Nitroxide-containing scaffolds for controlling biofilm-related infections
Dr. Sabrina Einecke

University of Adelaide

E-mail: sabrina.eineckeadelaide.edu.au
University Postdoctoral Fellow
School of Physical Sciences
Faculty of Science
University of Adelaide
Research interest: Commissioning of the small-sized-telescopes for the Cherenkov Telescope Array, Optimisation of very-high-energy gamma-ray analysis, Association of Active Galaxies and linking multi-wavelength counterparts with machine learning
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Dr. Stefan Hajduk

University of Adelaide

E-mail: stefan.hajdukadelaide.edu.au
Head of German Studies
University of Adelaide
School of Humanities
Research interstes: Literary Theory and History, Aesthetic Space and Borderland Phenomena, European Realism
Copyright Elke Stracke
Prof. Elke Stracke

University of Canberra

E-mail: Elke.Strackecanberra.edu.au
Professor in Applied Linguistics and TESOL
University of Canberra
Faculty of Education

Elke’s research interests: please view here
Applied/Educational Linguistics (blended and independent language learning and their relationship with learner autonomy and motivation, community language learning, feedback and assessment and peer learning in postgraduate supervision practice, curriculum development)
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Assoc. Prof. Stefan Bode

University of Melbourne

E-mail: sbodeunimelb.edu.au
Associate Professor in Cognitive Psychology
University of Melbourne
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Research Interests: Cognitive Neuroscience
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Assoc. Prof. Andrew Beattie

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

E-mail: a.beattieunsw.edu.au
German and European Studies
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
School of Humanities and languages
Research interests: Politics of History and Memory in Germany, Transitional Justice
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Assoc. Prof. Clemens Ulrich

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

E-mail: c.ulrichunsw.edu.au
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
School of Physics, Science
Research interests: Electronic and Magnetic Properties of Condensed Matter; Superconductivity, Nonlinear Optics and Spectroscopy
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Dr. Nicole Rijs

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

E-mail: n.rijsunsw.edu.au
Lecturer, Scientia Fellow and ARC DECRA Fellow
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
School of Chemistry, Science
Research interests: Mass spectrometry as a probe for molecular self-assembly
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Dr Anthony Halog

University of Queensland

E-mail: a.haloguq.edu.au
Lecturer
University of Queensland
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Research interests: Circular Bioeconomy, Industrial Ecology, Environmental Systems Modelling and Analysis, Green Economy
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Dr. Michael Netzel

University of Queensland

E-mail: m.netzeluq.edu.au
Senior Research Fellow
University of Queensland
Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences
Research interests: Phytochemicals and Health
Associate Prof. Ronald Clarke

University of Sydney

E-mail: ronald.clarkesydney.edu.au
School of Chemistry
Faculty of Science
University of Sydney

Research interests: Biophysical chemistry, Biological membranes and membrane proteins, Fluorescence spectroscopy, Rapid reaction kinetics, Regulation and mechanism of ion transport across biological membranes, Voltage-sensitive fluorescent dyes, Na+,K+-ATPase, Membrane electrical properties
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Prof. Alexandra Ludewig

University of Western Australia

E-mail: alexandra.ludewiguwa.edu.au
Head of School
University of Western Australia
School of Humanities
Research interests: Contemporary Austrian, German and European Literature, Film and Society
Associate Prof Markus Wagner

University of Wollongong

E-mail: markus_wagneruow.edu.au
Research Director – School of Law
University of Wollongong
Research areas: Law and Legal Studies
Associate Prof Wagner teaches and writes in the areas of international law, constitutional law and comparative law.