Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISIDeputy Head of Futures and Innovation Unit
Valentin Knitsch has been working for Fraunhofer since 2017, initially for the Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economy IMW in Leipzig. Since December 2024, he has been deputy head of the Futures and Innovation Unit, which has been part of Fraunhofer ISI in Leipzig since January 1, 2025.
Valentin Knitsch previously studied philosophy, political science and sociology in Dresden and Leipzig. In his academic work, he dealt with the problems of current multidisciplinary research debates. In doing so, he investigated the possibilities and limits of networked research in complex structures of actors and perspectives. His other research interests include the significance and impact of the use of modern technologies for the research process as well as the description and evaluation of the associated changes in science. He is also experienced in the planning and design of scenario, vision and knowledge transfer processes in research projects. During his studies, he already worked as a research assistant at Fraunhofer IMW in Leipzig and was involved in the Agent-3D and Space 2040 foresight projects. In addition to his current project EXPRESS, Valentin Knitsch is completing his doctorate at the Humboldt University of Berlin on interactions in the knowledge transfer of collaborative and accompanying research from a sociological perspective.