HAW Hamburg University Senate
The members of the university elect the University Senate. Each member group (professors, students, academic staff members, technical and administrative staff members) elects its own representatives to the senate. The professors hold the majority in this body.
The senate meetings are generally open to all members of the university; however, personnel-related matters are handled confidentially.
Responsibilities, members and meeting dates
Responsibilities
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The responsibilities of the University Senate are outlined in Section 85 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act (HmbHG). Accordingly, the University Senate is involved in all fundamental matters pertaining to HAW Hamburg's self-governance. For example, it approves the HAW Hamburg university statues, elects the president and can convene the University Advisory Board. It confirms the vice presidents, issues guidelines and policies, and elects the representatives for equal opportunities and for students with disabilities and chronic illness.
It is also involved in the preparation of the business plan, in questions related to structural and development planning, and in the implementation and dissolution of organisational units and institutes. Additionally, it makes recommendations regarding the implementation or discontinuation of degree courses and the university's legal regulations.
Members
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The composition of the University Senate is stipulated in Section 8 of the university statute as well as Section 85 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act (HmbHG):
Elected voting members:
- Nine professors
- Three students
- Three academic staff members
- Two members of the technical, library and administrative staff
Students are elected for a term of one year. The other members are elected for a period of two years.
Advisory members:
- President (chairperson)
- Vice presidents
- Head of administration and finance
- Equal opportunities commissioner
- Faculty deans
Current University Senate members:
Professors (Term: 1 October 2026 – 30 September 2028)
| Member | Faculty | Deputy | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof. Dr. Tim Tiedemann | INF | Prof. Dr. Martin Schultz | INF |
| Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Schelberg | NIW | Prof. Dr. Udo Pulm | NIW |
| Prof. Dr. Thomas Schiemann | LS | Prof. Dr. Markus Riemenschneider | LS |
| Prof. Dr. Katharina Riehn | G | Prof. Dr. Adina Dreier-Wolfgramm | G |
| Prof. Dr. Kirsten Wiese | SuK | Prof. Dr. Simon Güntner | SuK |
| Prof. Dr. Michael Gille | MGM | Prof. Dr. Konstanze von Papp | MGM |
| N.N. | N.N. | ||
| N.N. | N.N. | ||
| N.N. | N.N. |
Students (Term: 1 October 2026 – 30 September 2027)
| Member | Faculty | Deputy | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lutz Lorenz | SuK | Sabine Derboven | EMI |
| Johanna Zimmermann | SuK | Raoul Klein | SuK |
| Laurent Zug | LFS | Lucas Portz | LFS |
Academic staff members (Term: 1 October 2026 – 30 September 2028)
| Member | Faculty | Deputy | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grit Lehmann | SuK | Christine Hoffmann | HV/ZLL |
| N.N. | N.N. | ||
| N.N. | N.N. |
Technical, library and administrative staff members (Term: 1 October 2026 – 30 September 2028)
| Member | Faculty | Deputy | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Graf | LFS | Dr. Henk van Gils | STL GDA |
| Peter Meyer | HV/FR | Janine Klatt | HV/FR |
Meeting dates
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Winter semester 2026/2027
| Meeting date | Dispatch of documents |
|---|---|
| 08.10.2026 | 01.10.2026 |
| 12.11.2026 | 05.11.2026 |
| 10.12.2026 | 03.12.2026 |
| 21.01.2027 | 14.01.2027 |
Summer semester 2027
| Meeting date | Dispatch of documents |
|---|---|
| 15.04.2027 | 08.04.2027 |
| 13.05.2027 | 06.05.2027 |
| 10.06.2027 | 03.06.2027 |
| 08.07.2027 | 01.07.2027 |
Winter semester 2027/2028
| Meeting date | Dispatch of documents |
|---|---|
| 14.10.2027 | 07.10.2027 |
| 11.11.2027 | 04.11.2027 |
| 09.12.2027 | 02.12.2027 |
| 20.01.2028 | 13.01.2028 |
Meeting times and locations are indicated in the invitation to each meeting.
