Julia Grewe

It is people who have made the Ruhr metropolitan region what it is today. And it is people who will shape the Ruhr valley of tomorrow. One leading light in the transformation is Julia Grewe.

Julia Grewe is a Professor of Business Information Technology at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences. She is also a multiplier, a mentor, and a facilitator. She holds a doctorate in business management and is particularly interested in inspiring young women to take up STEM professions – i.e. related to the sciences, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The 44-year-old aims to drive progress in the region by facilitating education for all.

Responding to our questionnaire, Julia Grewe explained how her professional work is helping shape the transformation in the Ruhr metropolitan area.

FOR ME, THE RUHR VALLEY IS ... TOUGH – COLORFUL – HONEST!
JULIA GREWE, PROFESSOR, HAMM-LIPPSTADT UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

My professional title is Professor of Business Information Technology at the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences (HSHL).

My work is concerned with agility and digital transformation. Digitalization is a challenge for all of us, and especially for the companies in the region. Sometimes this involves a product that can now be controlled via an app, sometimes there are opportunities for completely new business ideas. To respond to these challenges, what companies need is agility – in other words, the ability to react flexibly to change. As such, agile methods are most commonly applied to innovative projects. But we’re also talking about a transformation in a company’s culture – and that can be really thrilling!

What I find most exciting about my research is how far agile project management has come in recent years. Originally, the “scrum” concept – a framework for agile project management – was unknown outside the software development field. Today, there are very few sectors that don’t rely on it. And that applies not just to young start-ups, but also to all kinds of SMEs. It is even used successfully in research groups.

For me, transformation means recognizing digitalization as a driver of innovation and change – something companies in particular find very challenging. Agility – reacting flexibly to change – is the impulse behind a successful digital transformation.

Julia Grewe, Professor of Business Information Technology at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, Credit: HSHL, Helen Sobiralksi

I’m helping shape the transformation (in the Ruhr valley) through my work by inspiring young people to take an interest in digitalization, agility, and the STEM professions.

Without my university’s research and its activities in teaching and further education, I would never have been granted such insight into the companies in the region.

For me, my profession is a vocation and a passion. I’m always happy and grateful for the opportunity to guide young people into their professional lives.

To me, collaborating with other scientific institutes in the Ruhr valley means vision and foresight, networking, and innovation.

For me, the Ruhr valley is ... tough – colorful – honest!

Header: HSHL, Alexandra Engels

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