Research Profile

Our research group at Tomorrow University focuses on conducting cutting-edge research in the areas of artificial intelligence for well-being and sustainability, building sustainable products, and entrepreneurship for sustainability. Our interdisciplinary team of researchers and experts collaborate to develop innovative solutions and technologies that address pressing societal challenges and promote sustainable practices for the betterment of humanity and the environment.

Research team

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Prof. Dr. Ana-Maria Olteteanu

Ana-Maria does research in Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Systems, Artificial Neural Networks, and Cognitive Psychology. Their current projects include 'Creative Cognitive Systems (CreaCogs)' and 'Wellbeing Artificial Intelligence' (WAIRI).

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Prof. Daniela Peukert

Daniela's research delves into tangible and visual forms of cognition, material metaphors, and More-than-Human-centered design. Her work spans multidisciplinary approaches to advance cognitive studies and design methodologies, fostering interactive and inclusive solutions.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Prof. Dr. Thomas Maidorfer

Dr. Thomas Maidorfer is the Professor of Strategy & Leadership, Co-Director of Tomorrow University's Impact MBA program, and accomplished professional in strategic management and private equity.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Dr. Maren Ingrid Kropfeld

Dr. Maren Ingrid Kropfeld: Sustainability expert and Program Director for the Impact MBA at Tomorrow University, dedicated to fostering sustainable impact through cooperation and innovative business models.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Dr. Apar Jain

Dr. Apar Jain, a scientist turned entrepreneur, holds dual PhDs in Neuroscience from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory and the University of Heidelberg. Co-founder of a startup, he brings rich research experience to ToU, teaching courses like Entrepreneurship Mindset.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Moritz von Zahn

Moritz von Zahn specializes in causal machine learning, explainable AI, and algorithmic fairness. Collaborating with esteemed institutions, he actively publishes, reviews, and contributes to real-world projects with companies like Swisscom AG and McKinsey & Company.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Prof. Dr. Maximilian Lude

Dr. Maximilian Lude specializes in family firms and SMEs, his research, published in renowned journals, delves into areas like business model innovation and marketing challenges. Beyond academia, Maximilian is the Founder & Managing Partner of philoneos GmbH.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Prof. Dr. Kathrin Köster

Kathrin is a transformation expert, focusing on personal and collective development. As a leadership professor, Kathrin brings practical and theoretical insights to Wirtschaftsuniversität Vienna.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Dr. Bernhard Scherzinger

Bernhard Scherzinger holds vast expertise in strategic management, operations, and leadership. As Managing Director of Management Results Consulting, he consults globally, specializing in diverse industries, including financial services, health care, and utilities.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Prof. Dr. Desirée Valeria Schatzl

Desirée has had diverse leadership roles in higher education, including her current role as VP of Marketing & Sales at Tomorrow University. As PhD in Innovation Management she has a robust background in technology management and adoption.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Dr. Sami Asad

Dr. Sami Asad disseminates foundational environmental science concepts to promote science-based sustainable decision-making. His research focuses on quantifying biodiversity and environmental responses to anthropogenic disturbance, utilizing AI for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management.

VP of Research
Professors at Tomorrow University
Nellie Marangou

Nellie Marangou, VP of Academic Affairs at ToU, leads Academics, Programme Operations, and Community teams to drive learner success and impact. With a background in data and physics research, she's passionate about enabling social mobility and diversity in the future of work through data skills development.

Key research areas

Artificial Intelligence for wellbeing & sustainability

Our research aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the well-being of individuals and communities while promoting sustainable practices. We investigate the development of AI algorithms, models, and systems for applications such as personalized education, attainment of flow states, improvement of cognitive skills, and human-AI supportive interaction. In the area of human-AI supportive interaction we investigate building cognitive systems that support various skills of the human mind, including creative problem-solving and tangible and visual forms of cognition.

Building sustainable products

Our research group focuses on developing sustainable products and technologies that minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable practices throughout the product lifecycle. This includes research on eco-design and more than human perspective taking in building products. We aim to create methods for building innovative products that are environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially responsible.

Entrepreneurship & leadership for sustainability

Our research group investigates the role of entrepreneurship in promoting sustainability and creating positive social and environmental impact. We explore how entrepreneurship can drive innovation, create new business models, and address global sustainability challenges. Our research also focuses on social entrepreneurship, sustainable business strategies, and policy interventions to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes sustainability-oriented ventures and solutions. This direction will be further defined with the new professors to include theory of change topics.

Recent research highlights

Lifelong competency learning

Development of competency metrics to dynamically reflect acquired educational outcomes in students’ lifelong learning.

Learning & happiness

Development of a computational model for predicting personality impact and study styles on flow states of students for enjoyable learning.

Personalized learning paths

Development of AI models for personalizing the best paths of study for students, based on their personality profile, life risk factors, and existing competencies.

More than human perspective taking

Design and prototyping a more-than-human perspective taking a product development approach, so that the “voices” of different entities are heard and we ensure sustainable design.

Lifted up by the community

Explorations in improving joy of learning and flow through special moments in community touch-points.

Learners taking ownership

Towards a Collective Distributed Learning Model.

Research team & collaboration

Our research group at Tomorrow University focuses on conducting cutting-edge research in the areas of artificial intelligence for well-being and sustainability, building sustainable products, and entrepreneurship for sustainability. Our interdisciplinary team of researchers and experts collaborate to develop innovative solutions and technologies that address pressing societal challenges and promote sustainable practices for the betterment of humanity and the environment.

We collaborate with leading academic institutions, industry partners, and sustainability-focused organizations to conduct interdisciplinary research, promote knowledge exchange, and facilitate real-world impact through collaborative projects and initiatives.

Funding

Our research group actively seeks external funding from various sources, including government agencies, private foundations, and industry partners, to support our research projects and initiatives. We also collaborate with industry partners and organizations to leverage their expertise and resources to advance our research agenda and facilitate technology transfer and commercialization of research outcomes.

Some of our research outcomes are used directly in the educational products we provide — to improve the flow and educational outcomes of students. Join us at Tomorrow University as we strive to make a meaningful contribution to the field of artificial intelligence for wellbeing and sustainability, build sustainable products, and entrepreneurship for sustainability, and create a better tomorrow for all.