Research for sustainable healthcare
Research profile of the Faculty of Health
In our research at the Faculty of Health, we aim to understand and solve the complex problems facing healthcare today. Our academic activities focus on ‘Integrative and Personalised/Person-Centred Healthcare’ (IPGV).
The structure of the Faculty of Health at UW/H is forward-looking: it is comprehensive and broad in scope, addressing issues such as outpatient care, the distribution of healthcare resources and access to healthcare services. We are able to responsibly bridge the gap – from biochemical research through to patient treatment, nursing and beyond.
Interdisciplinary and interprofessional research projects, which integrate different perspectives in a scientifically sound manner, form the backbone of our faculty. In our research, we adhere to the guidelines on good scientific practice issued by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
The research projects are
- carried out in the School of Medicine,
- the School of Nursing Science,
- the School of Psychology and Psychotherapy, and
- in the School of Dentistry
through their chairs and professorships. In addition to the research carried out within the departments, the Faculty brings together its scientific expertise in various centres.
Research projects
Research projects in human medicine
The research projects in the field of human medicine cover all key areas of health research: basic biomedical and clinical research, as well as healthcare research and epidemiological research. In addition, the model degree programme in human medicine is being examined and evaluated in the context of educational research.
Research projects in nursing science
The School of Nursing Science makes a contribution to healthcare research from a nursing science perspective; its projects focus, amongst other things, on children and young people as (caregiving) family members, patients’ experiences of illness, and the development of carers’ skills.
Research projects in psychology
The research projects at the School of Psychology cover a wide range of topics in clinical psychology, psychotherapy research, and health, social, neuro and developmental psychology. Among other things, they focus on various mental disorders or examine psychological development across the entire lifespan.
Research projects in dentistry
Dental health and prevention are at the heart of the research projects carried out by the School of Dentistry. In addition, the researchers focus on the needs of specific target groups, such as the treatment of people with disabilities.
Researchers
Researchers in theoretical and clinical disciplines, based at the Witten campus and in our partner hospitals, are responsible for the research. They all maintain a wide range of national and international collaborations.
Publications
All publications from the Faculty of Health at UW/H are listed in the university bibliography.
Doctorate and Habilitation
The Faculty actively supports early-career researchers. Its PhD students work on a wide range of topics within research projects and research groups. Find out more if you’d like to pursue further academic qualifications at the Faculty and are aiming for a PhD or a habilitation!
Information on doctoral studies
Information on the habilitation
Research funding from the Faculty of Health
Internal faculty research funding
The Faculty of Health’s internal research funding scheme (IFF) …
- enables early-career researchers to secure external funding. The opportunities range from rotation posts for clinical doctors, who can thus work in basic, clinical or healthcare research for the duration of the project, to funding for equipment and staff for research projects that serve as preliminary or pilot studies for subsequent externally funded projects. Funding is available in the form of a research grant for 12 months (100 per cent) or 24 months (50 per cent), as well as funding for materials and equipment of up to 9,000 euros. A hypothesis-driven scientific proposal must be submitted. Further information can be found in the IFF Call for Proposals Guidelines 2025. An overview of all current IFF projects is also available.
- supports a consortium of at least three project leaders from the UW/H in securing funding for collaborative projects (BMFTR, DFG, EU, etc.). Funding is available for personnel costs for up to 12 months (50 per cent) and for material costs of up to 5,000 euros. A short application must be submitted, describing the project and outlining the added value resulting from the consortium’s involvement. Further information can be found in the IFF Collaborative Projects Call for Proposals Guidelines.
- supports early-career researchers through the Biomedicine PhD Programme. The programme provides structured training for doctors and scientists. Doctors complete the programme alongside their specialist training.
All application forms are available on the UW/H intranet.
Research Days
To promote cross-faculty exchange and cooperation between disciplines, the UW/H regularly hosts a university-wide ‘Research Day’. At this event, researchers present their topics and projects to the university community.
The ‘Research Day at the Faculty of Health’ focuses on research projects in human medicine, dentistry, psychology and nursing science.
Prizes and awards
The Faculty awards the following prizes for outstanding research:
- ‘Witten’s First’: Award for outstanding publications by early-career researchers
Current application period: until 10 November 2026, 10:00
Further information can be found in the call for applications. - Doctoral Prizes: Prize for outstanding doctoral theses
Current application period: to be announced - Master’s Award: Awards for outstanding Master’s theses in M.A. and M.Sc. programmes
Current application period: until 10 November 2026, 10:00
Further information can be found in the call for applications.
Research funding at Witten/Herdecke University
The Research Funding Department is always on hand to advise researchers at UW/H: its staff provide information on, amongst other things, national and international calls for proposals and offer advice on individual funding opportunities. They assist with the application process and the finalisation of contracts, and support researchers throughout the project implementation and completion phases. This allows researchers to concentrate fully on their research.
Contact persons
Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat.
Florian Kreppel
Vice Dean for Research
Faculty of Health | Faculty Office
Stockumer Str. 10
58453 WittenRoom number: 1.42
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Johannes Michalak
Ombudsperson for good scientific practice
Faculty of Health
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50
58455 WittenRoom number: 1.121
Research Commission
The Vice-Dean for Research promotes and coordinates the activities of the chairs and other research institutions in collaboration with the departmental representatives. He is supported in this by the Research Funding Department, which carries out research monitoring and provides administrative support for the faculty’s internal funding programmes, as well as by a cross-departmental research committee. It consists of the following members: