HILTRAUD CASPER-HEHNE // UNIVERSITY OF GÖTTINGEN // ACADEMIC LEAD ENLIGHT GÖTTINGEN
»Take part, it will give you new insights, fresh perspectives, and connect you with truly inspiring people.«
Meet Hiltraud Casper-Hehne, the Academic Lead of ENLIGHT at the University of Göttingen and a member of its Board of Directors. A linguist by training, she heads the Department of Intercultural German Studies, the German-Chinese Institute for Intercultural German Studies and Culture Comparison and served as Vice President for International Affairs at Göttingen for 12 years. With decades of experience in international academic cooperation, she has been instrumental in shaping ENLIGHT’s strategy and fostering meaningful collaboration across the alliance. In this interview, she shares what drives her, reflects on the value of European partnerships, and explains what makes ENLIGHT such a unique and inspiring network.
Hiltraud Casper-Hehne exploring international waters beyond the academic sphere.
Where do you come from?
HILTRAUD: I come from the University of Göttingen in Germany. I am the head of the Intercultural German Studies Department and was Vice President for International Affairs for 12 years.
Why did you choose your field of research?
HILTRAUD: I'm a linguist by training, so I've always been very interested in that. When I worked as a DAAD lecturer in the People's Republic of China from 1986 to 1988, I experienced firsthand how much communication styles can differ. I have been researching intercultural communication ever since.
What do you like most about your current position?
HILTRAUD: I am most enthusiastic about working in international networks. I am the Academic Lead of ENLIGHT in Göttingen and oversee all activities here. I am also a member of the ENLIGHT Board of Directors and thus help to steer the further development of ENLIGHT, which is a very challenging job. I am also currently leading an international project on Critical Virtual Exchange, which I am carrying out together with the Universities of Uppsala and Groningen. The collaboration is very inspiring.
Tell us about your participation in ENLIGHT?
HILTRAUD: As I said, I am a member of the Board of Directors of ENLIGHT. We meet online every four weeks and make strategic decisions on developments in ENLIGHT. I have participated in all general meetings of ENLIGHT, in Tartu, Uppsala, Groningen, Göttingen, Bilbao etc. I also attend other events such as the Teaching and Learning Conferences, the last time in Bordeaux. During the week I take part in numerous networking meetings related to the work packages and oversee activities in Göttingen through Jour Fix meetings and Project Board meetings. I also promote participation in ENLIGHT across different university committees.
I am always amazed at how 10 universities with different systems can work together so successfully
How would you describe your experience?
HILTRAUD: The cooperation in ENLIGHT is fantastic and so inspiring. The teams at the partner universities and in Göttingen are committed and put their hearts into it. It's also a lot of fun. You learn many new things through collaboration, and best practice examples in the network help to further develop your own university. It’s also wonderful to see how differences of opinion in the development and implementation of measures are always resolved by consensus.
What motivated you to participate in ENLIGHT?
HILTRAUD: As former Vice President for International Affairs at the University of Göttingen, I have always been convinced of the need to strengthen European cooperation between universities. This is why I was involved in the U4 network (Groningen, Göttingen, Ghent, Uppsala) and in the Executive Board of the University of Göttingen to ensure that the U4-network submits an application for the development of a European University.
What is the biggest takeaway from you experience with ENLIGHT?
HILTRAUD: I am always amazed at how 10 universities, with their different structures and their different local and national contexts, regulations and laws, can cooperate so fantastically across borders and make such progress in cooperation in research, teaching and education.
How would you describe ENLIGHT in two sentences?
HILTRAUD: ENLIGHT is an exceptionally well-functioning European network that successfully cooperates in research and teaching on topics such as health and wellbeing, energy conversion, climate change, equality, digital revolution and creativity. It effectively promotes the European mobility of students, researchers and administration in order to promote and further develop a sustainable and resilient Europe.
What do you like to do in your free time?
HILTRAUD: I love swimming and walking. I'm a fan of opera, especially Verdi operas, and go to all kinds of performances in Germany and around Europe. I also enjoy traveling to foreign countries to get to know other cultures.
The cooperation in ENLIGHT is fantastic and so inspiring… You learn many new things through collaboration.
What is the best book you read/listened to in the past year?
HILTRAUD: "Beklaute Frauen" (Translation: “Robbed Women”) by Leonie Schöler, which describes how women made history while men took the credit. Muse, secretary, wife – there are many terms for women whose influence has been erased from history. Women scientists whose achievements were not recognized, unlike those of their male colleagues. Female authors who hid behind male pseudonyms. Female artists who were forgotten in the shadow of their husbands. Historian Leonie Schöler describes this in a breathtaking way.
If you were to recommend ENLIGHT to a colleague, what would you say?
HILTRAUD: Take part in ENLIGHT activities. It will help you in your work, provide you with new insights and perspectives, and introduce you to incredibly exciting and nice people who can inspire you.
Hiltraud Casper-Hehne with University of Göttingen Colleagues at ENLIGHT meeting