A look back: "CrossMedia connect" Staff Week

More than 20 international participants from universities across Europe were guests at the Media faculty from 24 to 28 November 2025. Under the motto ‘CrossMedia Connect’, the first Staff Week at the Media Campus provided an opportunity for cross-cultural networking – set against a diverse programme of workshops, lectures and cultural events. The first ‘CrossMedia Connect’ was a collaboration between the faculty of Media and the International Office.

Guests were able to attend the following keynote talks:
• The State of Gaming (Prof. Carla Heinzel)
• Extended Realities (Prof. Dr Paul Grimm)
• Film Production (Prof. Alex Herzog)
• Sound Production (Prof. Dr Felix Krückels, Prof. Hanna Steger, Prof. Dr Jürgen Schwab)
• Storytelling for Digital Media (Prof. Dr Georg Struck)
• Research & Doctoral Studies (Dr Klara-Maeve O’Reilly & PhD students)

Of course, there was no shortage of good food and drink either – following a brewery tour at the Darmstadt private brewery (Braustüb’l), guests were able to learn about German brewing traditions and then sample the results at the welcome dinner in the brewery’s own restaurant. The obligatory visit to Darmstadt’s newly opened Christmas market was also a must. Excursions to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Grube Messel and Mathildenhöhe
rounded off the programme.
The event concluded with a student showcase featuring selected films by students, accompanied by music from Pink Ink (@pinkink_00s) and Amadeus Lorenz (@amadeuslorenz). Afterwards, for the first time during a Staff Week, the DAAD Prize for international students was awarded. The winner, Samir Pangeni, was honoured not only for his academic achievements but above all for his social and cultural commitment. Moise
Chengo was delighted to receive the International Office Prize, an additional award introduced on the spot.

We are already looking forward to the next Staff Week and would like to thank all participants and helpers for their enthusiastic support!