Interview with Dr Dorit Meyer
Our alumna Dr Dorit Meyer is project manager for innovation support and technology transfer at KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung – the Economic Development Agency of Cologne, where she advises companies on digitalisation, innovative technologies and technology transfer. She studied Geography and Ethnology at the University of Mainz and obtained her PhD in Economic and Social Geography in 2012 at the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Cologne under supervision of Professor Martina Fuchs. She then worked in the management department at FOM University of Applied Sciences before joining xaverius Management and HR Consultancy as a research consultant in executive research from 2019 until 2021, when she joined KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung. In our alumni interview, we spoke to her about universities as ideal places to start a business, her fascination with the role of companies, innovation and networks in regional development, and the growing importance of data literacy as a future skill in the age of algorithms and AI.
Students who learn to think entrepreneurially while studying are in a much better position, both as founders and on the job market. The University of Cologne is doing valuable work in this area.
Dear Dorit, you studied Geography and Ethnology, and in 2012 you were awarded a PhD in Economic and Social Geography by the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Cologne. What in particular appealed to you about this field back then, and what still fascinates you about it today?
I have always been interested in how people, the economy and spaces are interconnected. Economic and Social Geography examines precisely these interactions. I have been particularly fascinated by the question of why regions develop differently, and the role businesses, innovation and networks play in this process.
This fascination has stayed with me to this day. In my current work, which focuses heavily on innovation, digitalisation and technology transfer, I essentially deal with the same issues, but from a more practical perspective. Rather than looking at individual technologies, I consider which stakeholders, framework conditions and partnerships are needed to ensure that good ideas actually lead to innovations that drive companies forward and strengthen Cologne’s position as a business hub in the long term.
After completing your PhD, you pursued a career in higher education management and later in management and HR consultancy. Today, you are a project manager for innovation support and technology transfer within the Business Development division at KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung. Which skills you acquired during your degree or PhD still help you in your day-to-day work?
One skill that has remained particularly important to me to this day is data literacy – the ability not only to collect data, but also to understand and evaluate it critically and translate it into meaningful decisions. In the age of AI in particular, this is a vital future skill. The more we work with data, algorithms, and AI-powered applications, the more important it becomes to be able to contextualise results rather than simply accepting everything unquestioningly. This skill enables me to critically assess technological trends and distinguish genuine, sustainable innovation potential from short-term hype.
Furthermore, my experience in of working in research and teaching has taught me to ask relevant questions in a focused manner and to present complex content in a way that is tailored to the audience. Translating specialist knowledge in a way that meets specific needs is key, making it understandable for different audiences. This skill continues to benefit me today, whether I’m guiding an AI start-up through the funding landscape or advising a medium-sized company on the use of innovative technologies.
The more we work with data, algorithms, and AI-powered applications, the more important it becomes to be able to contextualise results rather than simply accepting everything unquestioningly. This skill enables me to critically assess technological trends and distinguish genuine, sustainable innovation potential from short-term hype.
At KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung, your role is to identify emerging technological trends at an early stage and connect relevant partners. These partners may include start-ups, companies and universities. What makes such collaborations successful? And where do the biggest challenges usually lie?
Start-ups often bring speed and courage to the table. Universities contribute new knowledge and methodological expertise, while companies provide market insight and experience. At first glance, this sounds like the perfect partnership. In practice, however, differing timeframes, processes and priorities can lead to clashes. As a business development agency, our role is to find common ground and create a framework in which each party can contribute their unique value. It is precisely in these circumstances that innovative ideas often emerge.
From your perspective, are there any exciting developments or future trends that you think will gain traction in the coming years? And which sectors or fields do you think are currently developing particularly dynamically and might also be of interest to our students as potential career options?
Many of today’s key issues can no longer be addressed within the boundaries of individual disciplines. Whether it be artificial intelligence, sustainability or defence technology (DefTech), it is becoming increasingly crucial to bring together technological, economic and societal perspectives. At the same time, issues such as technological sovereignty, resilience, and the transfer of innovations into practical applications are becoming ever more important.
Exciting opportunities are opening up for students. An understanding of technology is becoming increasingly important, whilst at the same time there is a growing need for people who can make sense of complex interrelationships, break down silos, connect different stakeholders and bring innovations to fruition. Many interesting career paths are emerging precisely at these interfaces, such as innovation and sustainability management, technology transfer, and shaping transformation processes within companies and public institutions.
An understanding of technology is becoming increasingly important, whilst at the same time there is a growing need for people who can make sense of complex interrelationships, break down silos, connect different stakeholders and bring innovations to fruition.
Since 2019, the University of Cologne has been home to the Gateway Exzellenz Start-up Centre, which supports students in setting up their own businesses. Furthermore, a key objective of our Professorship in Entrepreneurship and Management, led by Professor Christian Schwens, is to provide students from non-business faculties with a basic understanding of business administration, entrepreneurship and related subjects. What advantages do you see in starting a business within a university context?
Universities are the perfect place to start a business. Students can test ideas, take risks, build networks, find like-minded people and learn from both successes and failures. This is where interdisciplinary teams are formed, whith members who complement one another’s skills. And even if the business idea doesn’t become the next unicorn, valuable experience, contacts and skills are ganied that extend far beyond the start-up phase.
This is why I believe it is important for universities to actively promote entrepreneurship. Students who learn to think entrepreneurially while studying are in a much better position, both as founders and on the job market. The University of Cologne is doing valuable work in this area.
Finally, could you please complete the following sentence: When I think back to my time as a student in Cologne, I remember...
… how much coffee writing a PhD thesis takes. But I also remember the fascinating people, ideas and opportunities thet Cologne hasintroduced me to since then.
Rather than looking at individual technologies, I consider which stakeholders, framework conditions and partnerships are needed to ensure that good ideas actually lead to innovations that drive companies forward and strengthen Cologne’s position as a business hub in the long term.
Is there anything else would you like to share with our current students? Do you have three tips for studying?
Firstly, be curious about what lies beyond the boundaries of your own field. The most exciting developments occur at the intersection of technology and society, between business and culture.
Secondly, network before you need to. Having the right contacts can open doors and be a game-changer when it really counts.
And thirdly, only those who stand still never stumble. Those who try new things will inevitably make mistakes. But that‘s precisely how we gain experience, make connections, and sometimes even end up with the best stories!
Dear Dorit, thank you very much for your time and for the interview.
Questions by Pascal Tambornino