FACHHOCHSCHULE POTSDAM

Their core work

Fachhochschule Potsdam (Potsdam University of Applied Sciences) is a German applied research university with growing expertise in citizen science and participatory research methods. They develop approaches where citizens become active co-researchers in social science projects, designing digital tools and knowledge coalitions for collective action. Their earlier work contributed to digital research infrastructure for cultural heritage, and they have also engaged in environmental research on climate impacts on freshwater ecosystems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early H2020 involvement (2015-2017) centered on digital infrastructure for cultural heritage research (PARTHENOS) and environmental science (MANTEL), suggesting a broad applied sciences profile. By 2020, their focus shifted decisively toward citizen science and participatory social research with CoAct, where all top keywords cluster around co-design, collective action, and citizens as co-researchers. This represents a clear pivot from technical infrastructure support toward socially engaged, participatory research methods.

Moving toward participatory and citizen-driven research methods, making them a relevant partner for any project needing public engagement, co-design, or social science components.

How they like to work

Fachhochschule Potsdam has never coordinated an H2020 project, consistently joining as participant or third party. Despite only three projects, they have worked with 44 unique partners across 14 countries, indicating they plug into large, diverse consortia rather than leading them. This profile suggests a reliable contributing partner who brings specific methodological expertise to broader teams.

With 44 unique consortium partners across 14 countries from just 3 projects, they have built a surprisingly wide European network. This breadth comes from participating in large-scale infrastructure and research coordination projects.

What sets them apart

Their combination of applied sciences background with deep citizen science methodology is distinctive — they don't just study participation, they build the tools and frameworks that make it work. For consortium builders, they fill a specific gap: the partner who can design and execute the public engagement and co-creation work packages that many Horizon Europe calls now require. As a University of Applied Sciences, they bridge academic rigor with practical, community-oriented implementation.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PARTHENOS
  Their largest funded project (EUR 496K), contributing to a major European digital research infrastructure for humanities and heritage.
• CoAct
  Defines their current strategic direction — citizen social science with citizens as active co-researchers, directly aligned with Horizon Europe's public engagement priorities.