Research at Hochschule Geisenheim University

Creating Strategies for a Sustainable and Livable Future

Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Sustainability Targets – We're Meeting the Planet's Most Urgent Challenges

Our mission is to develop resource-efficient, innovative, and sustainable solutions in the area of agriculture and food. Our work spans a broad range of key issues: advancing organic, climate-resilient cultivation strategies for specialty crops, developing sustainable production and marketing methods, and designing livable cultural landscapes and urban regions. By uniting ecology, profitability, and a focus on quality of life, we aim to create a sustainable future in which society and nature can flourish together.

Our Focus Areas

Sustainable Cultivation Systems for Specialty Crops

Cultivating grapevines, fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals is particularly resource intensive – as such, a careful balance between producing the highest quality products possible and ensuring sustainable practices needs to be struck.

Through our research, we are developing innovative, ecofriendly strategies that ensure healthy harvests and preserve resources. We breed varieties and growth forms that are optimally adapted to climate change, environmental factors, and potential pests and pathogens. Modern sensor systems help control water and nutrient supply with pinpoint accuracy, alternative plant protection strategies – such as the use of antagonists – strengthen plants and their environments, and new digital techniques make precise management measures possible. Together with our partners, we are establishing diverse cultivation strategies that promote biodiversity and preserve ecosystem functions, creating an economically and ecologically sustainable future for viticulture and horticulture.

Innovative and Safe Processing and Marketing for Plant Products

Sustainability in food production spans the entire journey, from cultivation and processing to the moment the product reaches the customer. At every stage, product quality and safety needs to be guaranteed. The bioeconomy plays a key role in this context, enabling the more efficient use of resources, processes, and systems, while supporting the livelihood of the businesses that produce them. 

Through our research, we develop energy and resource-efficient methodologies for processing plant products and extracting valuable ingredients from crops and by-products. We examine microorganisms as natural protective cultures, evaluate the health effects of plant-based ingredients, and conduct sensory tests with our university panel. Market research, consumer behavior analyses, and industry data deliver essential insights for sustainable marketing strategies, particularly in the wine industry. We also analyze the logistical processes, from packing to distribution, and boost the efficiency and sustainability of the entire value chain with the help of modern, digital technologies.

Livable Cultural Landscapes and Urban Regions

Intensified land use has reduced valuable landscape features and biodiversity in many areas. Urban regions are also under pressure to maintain quality of life through green infrastructure such as parks and green belts.

Through our research, we develop methods to optimize and assess urban open spaces and enhance their social sustainability. We create techniques for greening sites with limited soil and for using plants in urban areas in a targeted manner, particularly in the context of climate change. For viticultural landscapes, we design strategies to adapt to climate change and preserve rare species. Additionally, we develop concepts for multifunctional, ecologically valuable, and attractive landscapes that enable new, sustainable production scenarios.

Questions about Our Research?

Please get in touch!

Christiane Jost
Dr. Christiane Jost
Building 5924
Room 01.01
Phone +49 6722 502 6334
Christiane.Jost(at)hs-gm.de Details

News & Latest Projects

Hochschule Geisenheim University to Open its Doors for Researchers' Night on September 25, 2026

What will next-generation agriculture look like? What’s in our food and beverages? How are digital technologies used in viticulture and horticulture? And why are there robotic assistance dogs on a construction site? These questions – and many more – will be addressed on Friday, September 25 from 5:00 – 10:00 pm. As part of the Researchers’ Night, the university will open its lecture halls, laboratories, greenhouses and research facilities. Visitors of all ages are invited to experience science firsthand – admission is free. 

The European Researchers' Night will take place in more than 460 cities across 40 countries. For the first time, Hochschule Geisenheim University will be participating in the event, turning into a place of fascinating insights into the world of science. 

Colorful Program

More than 50 interactive activities, info stands, tours and presentations will provide exciting insights into the university’s diverse research projects. The program covers topics such as food and beverages, viticulture and horticulture, digitalization and sustainability as well as landscape architecture and development. But the Researchers’ Night is not just about presenting scientific findings. Instead, visitors have the chance to experience science close up and chat with researchers

The program features campus tours, digital grapevines, presentations of robotic assistance dogs on the construction site, DIY juice kits, and much more. Live demonstrations, presentations and guided tours offer visitors a rare look behind the scenes of laboratories and research facilities normally closed to the public. The program stretches over the entire campus – from the central campus, over to the Logistics and Sustainability Building, the Beverage Technology Center, the university’s greenhouses, fruit packing facility and research trail. Throughout the evening, the herb greenhouse operated by the Hessian State Agricultural Agency will also open its doors for the interested public. 

European collaboration will play a key role during the evening. In the European Corner, Hochschule Geisenheim University will showcase projects that connect Geisenheim with other regions across Europe, showing visitors how international research collaborations help address common challenges in areas such as food, agriculture, climate adaptation, and sustainable development.

Besides the fascinating program, the campus itself will also charm visitors with its special atmosphere: Situated between vineyards and research fields, university buildings and greenhouses will be illuminated, combining scientific insights with a cozy autumn feeling on campus Geisenheim. 

European Researchers‘ Night to Wrap Up Agri-Food Week

The European Researchers‘ Night marks the public highlight of an entire week dedicated to sustainable food systems – the Agri-Food Week from September 22 – 25, 2026. This new theme week was created as part of Hochschule Geisenheim University’s involvement in the EU-GIFT Alliance. A special focus is on geographical identity and cultural heritage. In between vineyards and fields, the theme week aims to transform the university into a meeting place for prospective students, the university community, researchers, industry professionals, and anyone interested in the future of food, agriculture, and landscape development. The program offers a wide range of activities and presentations and invites everyone to join in.

  • The Agri-Food Week kicks off on September 22 with a Kinderuni session on fruit juice production (more) and a new introductory program for interested adults on: What can be made from malt, hops, and yeast? – an introduction to brewing, followed by a tasting (more).
  • On September 23, the next edition of our newly created lecture format for school students (grades 10 -13) will take place at 1:45 pm, discussing the question “One apple a day keeps the doctor away – What’s inside our favorite fruit?” (more).
  • Two conferences will also be held during the Agri-Food Week: From September 22 -24, the EUVRIN Fertilization & Irrigation Group – an organization of European research institutes specialized in vegetable production – will come together for their next meeting (more). On September 24-25, the Rhine Main Conference on Municipal Tree Care will take place (more).
  • The European Researchers‘ Night will wrap up the Agri-Food Week, inviting the public to explore the future of food, landscape and landscape development close up.

About the European Researchers‘ Night:
The event is supported by the EU project “ReNourish” (Research and Education to Nourish Society).

Event Details:
Friday, September 25, 2026
5:00 - 10:00 pm
Hochschule Geisenheim University
Admission is free

Note for our international guests: The guided tours, presentations and activities will bein German, but everyone is warmly invited to join the discovery!
The complete program (in German) and a campus map are available at: www.hs-geisenheim.de/nacht-der-wissenschaft

About the EU GIFT Alliance:
Hochschule Geisenheim University is part of the EU GIFT Alliance, a consortium of seven higher education institutions from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Hungary, Romania, and Germany, and more than 30 partner organizations. EU-GIFT stands for "European University for Geographical Identity as a driver for Food Systems Transition to Sustainability. The alliance fosters European cooperation in teaching, research, and innovation, with a particular focus on sustainable food and beverage systems and regional value chains. Key areas include viticulture, agriculture, food production, and sustainability. By participating in the alliance, the university is strengthening its international profile and establishing itself as aEuropean university.
More details: EU-GIFT

Categories: MyHGU-App, Mein-Netzwerk, Veranstaltungen, PRAXIS, STUDIUM, Presse und Kommunikation, Alumni, FORSCHUNG, Wissenschaftlicher Nachwuchs, Wein- und Getränkewirtschaft, Urbanen Gartenbau, Technik, Rebenzüchtung, Phytomedizin, Oenologie, Obstbau, Molekulare Pflanzenwissenschaften, Modellierung und Systemanalyse, Mikrobiologie und Biochemie, Lebensmittelsicherheit, Landschaftsplanung und Naturschutz, Landschaftsbau und Vegetationstechnik, Getränkeforschung, Gemüsebau, Frischproduktlogistik, Freiraumplanung, Bodenkunde und Pflanzenernährung, Angewandte Ökologie, Allgemeiner und ökologischer Weinbau, Nachrichten

Images

Campus Geisenheim. Photo: Hochschule Geisenheim/AfM

Research brochure (click to enlarge)

Our University has unique opportunities to conduct scientifically recognized and applied research along the entire value chain of special crops. In doing so, we benefit both from a strong network of national and international partners and our own excellent research infrastructure at Geisenheim. Vice-President of Research Professor Annette Reineke

Map

Data from OpenStreetMap - published under ODbL

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