• 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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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

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, Queen Mary University of 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)

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

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

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

How do I get to the Xplanatorium Herrenhausen?
  • 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 Xplanatorium. E-bike batteries should be taken into the building and not left on the bike.
  • by car: The car parks around the Xplanatorium are subject to a charge. There are a few free car parks in the "Alte Herrenhäuser Straße".
When does admission to events start?

The doors will open 45 minutes before the event begins.

How long do the events last?

Evening events like panel discussions last for about 100 - 120 minutes.

How much does admission to Volkswagen Foundation events cost?

Admission to Volkswagen Foundation events is free of charge. In rare cases, access to the Herrenhausen Palace conference centre/Xplanatorium may only be possible with an admission ticket (which may be subject to a charge). If this is the case, you will find a corresponding note on the website of the respective event.

Is the venue barrier-free?

The Xplanatorium Herrenhausen is barrier-free.

Are the events broadcast live?

Some of our events are also broadcast live. To access, visit the respective event page on our website.

Are the panel discussions recorded?

Many of the events are broadcasted live and/or recorded. Recordings and proceedings of past events can be found in our newsroom and on our YouTube channel.

Is there a cloakroom?

At events held at the Xplanatorium Herrenhausen, you are welcome to use our cloakroom free of charge.

I lost or forgot something at an event at the Xplanatorium, whom can I contact?

Please contact Schloss Herrenhausen Veranstaltungs- und Betriebs GmbH at: 0511/763 744-0.

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 0511/8381-200.

For further questions please contact