• Expert meeting
  • Herrenhausen Conference

25 Feb 2026, 10:15 a.m. - 08:00 p.m.

Preventive Health Care: From Research to Action

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The international conference is organized by the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat, WR) in co-operation with the Volkswagen Foundation. The event focuses on how research on prevention can be effectively translated into concrete practice.

The international conference "Preventive Health Care: From Research to Action" is organized by the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat, WR) in cooperation with the Volkswagen Foundation. The event focuses on how research on prevention can be effectively translated into concrete practice.

During the conference, the Wissenschaftsrat will present a new policy paper that offers a fresh perspective on prevention in Germany. It advocates for a health-oriented transformation in science and healthcare, promoting cross-sectoral, evidence-based prevention strategies and measures.

The conference addresses a broad audience of national and international experts and stakeholders from science, policy, and the health sector. Thematic sessions will explore the societal value of health promotion and prevention, discuss the key conditions for successful implementation, and highlight practical pathways for translating research into action. A particular focus will be placed on European best practices that demonstrate how scientific findings can be transformed into tangible, health-promoting measures. Moreover, the conference fosters networking and collaboration across disciplines to strengthen sustainable structures for preventive action.

Program

The preliminary program will be updated frequently.

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Speaker

Welcome

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wick

  • Chair of the German Science and Humanities Council
  • Professor of Neurology and Neuro-Oncologist at Heidelberg University Hospital

 

Dr. Georg Schütte

CEO, Volkswagen Foundation, Hanover

 

Impulses on Topics related to the Position Paper

Dorothee Bär

Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space (video message)

 

Nina Warken

Federal Minister of Health (tbc)

Ekaterina Zaharieva

Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, European Commission (tbc)

Presentation of the Position Paper

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wick

  • Chair of the German Science and Humanities Council
  • Professor of Neurology and Neuro-Oncologist at Heidelberg University Hospital

 

Panel Discussion on the Position Paper

Nina Warken

Minister of Health (tbc)

 

Ekaterina Zaharieva

Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, European Commission (tbc)
 

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wick

  • Chair of the German Science and Humanities Council
  • Professor of Neurology and Neuro-Oncologist at Heidelberg University Hospital
     

Dr. Georg Schütte

CEO, Volkswagen Foundation, Hanover

Falko Mohrs

Minister for Science and Culture of Lower Saxony, Chair of the Joint Science Conference (GWK)
 

The Value of Health - Keynote and Panel Discussion

Dr. Stefanie Houwaart

Coordinator Advisory Board, BRCA-Netzwerk
 

 

Prof. Dr. Anita Patel

Health Economist, Imperial College London

Han Steutel

President of Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (vfa)
 

Prof. Dr. Anna Wagner

Assistant Professor at the Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University Netherlands
 

Health Goals and Health in All Policies - Opening Statements

Dr. Andreas Philippi

  • Minister of Social Affairs, Employment, Health and Equal Opportunities Lower Saxony,
  • Chair of the Conference of Health Ministers (GMK), Lower Saxony

 

Prof. Dr. Jochen (J.O.) Mierau

Professor of Public Health Economy , University of Groningen Netherlands

Health Goals and Health in All Policies - Perspectives from the WHO

Dr. Faten Ben Abdelaziz

Head of Enhanced Wellbeing Unit at WHO, Department of Health Promotion
 

Health Goals and Health in All Policies - Perspectives from Finland

Dr. Timo Ståhl

Chief Specialist in Effectiveness of Preventive Work Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
 

From Evidence Generation to Implementation Science - Presentations

Dr. Katharina Ladewig

Managing Director, Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Research, Robert Koch Institute (RKI)

 

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Mahler

Director of Nursing Science Department, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Tübingen
 

Application Networks in Research and Healthcare - Opening Statement

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hoffmann

Head of Department at Section Healthcare Epidemiology and Community Health, University Medicine Greifswald

 

Application Networks in Research and Healthcare - Pitches from Networks

Sarah Stapel

President, Together for Mental Health (Gemeinsam für psychische Gesundheit - GPG)
 

Prof. Dr. Eva Schernhammer

Head of Department for Epidemiology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna Prevention Project (ViPP)

Zu sehen ist das logo des Wissenschaftsjahres 2026.

Science Year 2026

The event is part of Science Year 2026, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).

Do you have questions about our scientific events? Check out our FAQ!

FAQ scientific events
Where do the Volkswagen Foundation events take place?

The events take place at the Herrenhausen Palace conference centre, Herrenhäuser Straße 5, 30419 Hanover. Access by public transport: Üstra lines 4 and 5, stop 'Herrenhäuser Gärten'

How do I get to Herrenhausen Palace?
  • by public transport: tram lines 4 and 5, bus line 136: stop "Herrenhäuser Gärten" or "Schaumburgstraße".
  • by bike: There are bike racks in front of the Herrenhausen Palace conference centre. E-bike batteries should be taken into the building and not left on the bike.
  • by car: The car parks around the Herrenhausen Palace are subject to a charge. There are a few free car parks in the "Alte Herrenhäuser Straße".
  • by train: Hanover main station is excellently connected through many long-distance trains from all over Germany and in some cases from other European countries.
  • by plane: Please check whether a flight can be replaced by a train connection. Hanover Airport is directly connected to the S-Bahn network in the greater Hanover area. Please take the S5 towards Paderborn or Bad Pyrmont from the airport to get to the city center.
How much are the fees for participating at academic events?

There are no registration fees for participating at conferences, symposia or academic workshops.

When can I check in and get my name tag at the venue?

You can check in 60 minutes before the event begins.

Is the venue barrier-free?

The Herrenhausen Palace conference centre is barrier-free.

Are the academic events recorded or broadcast live (streaming)?

As a rule, academic events are not recorded or broadcast live (streaming) in order to enable the participants to talk about research results that have not yet been published and to obtain corresponding feedback.

I wish to attend an academic event as member of the audience. Who will cover my travel and accommodation costs and do the necessary bookings?

The participants bear the costs for travel and accommodation themselves. We ask all participants without an active part to take care of their own hotel and travel arrangements. If we provide a contingent of rooms at a specific hotel, you will find more information on the respective event pages.

I am a speaker, chair, or travel grantee at an academic event. Who will cover my travel and accommodation costs and do the necessary bookings?

Please get in touch with the respective contact person for the event. You can find the contact details on the website for the event.

Are food preferences and/or intolerances taken care of?

They are usually taken care of. Please indicate your preferences when registering for the event. Catering/Meals at Volkswagen Foundation events are all vegetarian with several vegan options.

Is there a cloakroom?

At Volkswagen Foundation events held at the Herrenhausen Palace conference centre, you are welcome to use our cloakroom free of charge.

I lost or forgot something at an event at the Herrenhausen Palace conference centre, whom can I contact?

Please contact Schloss Herrenhausen Veranstaltungs- und Betriebs GmbH at: +49 511-763 744-0

Who can I contact if I have further questions?

If you have any questions, you can reach our hotline from Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at +59 511 8381-200

For further questions please contact