Fireside Talk with Prof. Ina Schaefer

On July, 14th, the graduate school UpGrade Mobility welcomed Prof. Dr. Ina Schaefer for an engaging fireside talk. As Professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Head of the Institute for Test, Validation and Analysis of Software-Intensive Systems (TVA), Prof. Schaefer shared insights into her academic journey, her various roles and responsibilities at KIT, and the experiences that have shaped her career in research and higher education. Moderated by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eric Sax, the conversation also addressed the current challenges facing the German automotive industry, including the ongoing transformation driven by digitalization, software-defined vehicles, and global competition. Participants gained valuable perspectives on leadership in academia, career development, and the evolving relationship between research, innovation, and industry. The graduate school sincerely thanks Prof. Schaefer for her inspiring talk, her openness in sharing personal experiences, and the engaging discussion with the audience.